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Guatemala Fishing |
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SEASON SUMMARY
Thank You to all of our valued clients and friends - both old and new - who came to Guatemala this year to participate in some SPECTACULAR fishing !
We started in earnest in October 2008 with an exceptionally strong Blue Marlin bite. We don't usually target marlin, as we are pulling smaller teasers at 6/7 knots for Sailfish - but despite this, we were consistently raising Marlin in the 25-450lb range. It makes for some frantic activity and necessary teamwork from all aboard to co-ordinate getting the rigged 50wt in front of the fish before it loses interest in the ballyhoo - but we managed it (most of the time !) - and several groups landed (ie. leader touched) good sized Blues.
The weather was remarkably calm and pleasant throughout the season, even by Guatemala standards; I believe that we didn't lose a single day to weather, and 9 days out of 10 were our "normal" blue skies and calm seas as far out as 50 miles.
The Sailfish were concentrated along the blue water line pretty much all season long; there were very few days when we released low single digits throughout the season - and average days were considered to be 10-15 raises, but interspersed frequently with numerous days with 40+ raises.
We tracked catch rates this year to correlate to moon phases - and while there was some evidence that the catch rates drop a little over a full moon - we also saw on two occasions the best fishing across the full moon - so make your own judgements. Likely that moonphase is one of several variables and not so significant as to overcome other effects from weather, current, water temp etc.
Our best day of the season saw 74 raises (one boat !), with the following day seeing almost the same at 68.
Our low day was only 1 or 2 - and of course that had to happen in April when I was down fishing with friends !! We had to work hard to find fish for 2 days, but as soon as a cold front had passed through we started to see bait and fish concentrating - and the numbers rising.
This was quite a relief, as we were about to shoot a TV show with Cabelas Outdoors......two days later.
We are reassured by the continued strength of the billfish population in Guatemala - and particularly when compared to the recent statistics from other nearby regions
This is data recently updated from a continuing study sponsored by the National Marine Fisheries Board - measuring average catch rates per day per boat across the neighbouring regions of Guatemala/Panama/Costa Rica and Mexico. There has been a precipitous drop off in catch rates in all regions bet Guatemala, which anecdotally doesn't seem to be improving. Some of the data have sample limitations, but the story is consistent across multiple years.
We left the dock with Mark Maus of the Cabelas Fishing Team a day later and ran out 42 miles...not sure what we would find. Lines went in the water while we were being "miked up" and the camera crew readied the equipment - and it wasn't two minutes before we had a double hooked up. Not sure how much of that initial episode we captured for the show - but you could hear the audible sigh of relief from me over the noise of the big CATS growling back at the dancing billfish !
We hooked up to 69 Sailfish over two days - could have been a lot more excpet we were trying to "light them up" exceptionally close to the transom to get good underwater shots..........
We refurbished and upgraded some of our facilities this year - introducing a new villa to our "stable" in the resort complex. Even though all of our villas have either a private pool or very close proximity to the large semi-private pools in the complex, we are steadily moving to villas with large outdoor eating areas and a private pool/jacuzzi that makes it easy to gather for drinks and hors d'ouvres after a hard days fishing !
All of our villas (and some Cuploas) now are fully equipped with life's necessities of blender (Margarita), extra large fridge (midnight snacks) and full length beds (no feet hanging over).
Where possible, we also bring in satellite TV as our peak season coincides with the NFL playoffs - and also DSL internet service. See the features of "Why US" HERE
The latter can be a little "intermittent", but we count ourselves lucky, as prior to the season really getting going, someone decided to "help themselves" to the fibre that had been laid from Puerto San Jose to the Resort..........and being Guatemala, it took a full 2 months before replacement fibre/cable could be found !
Looking forward, our biggest challenge is undoubtedly the cost and unpredictability of fuel prices going into the 2008/9 season. Diesel at the dock last year was in the 35Q ($4.66) range - itself up almost 50% on the prior season - but we have seen forecasts from Shell in Guatemala for as high as 60Q ($8) by the end of this year.
As one of my old bosses was fond of saying "The hardest part of forecasting is the predicting the future bit............" so we don't think it wise to attempt to price that into trips at this point - but it is possibly indicative of the trend. We will obviously be tracking this carefully - but to try and help, we will GUARANTEE THAT ANY BOOKINGS CONFIRMED BEFORE AUGUST 31ST 2008 WILL NOT HAVE ANY FUEL SURCHARGE no matter what happens to fuel costs in Guatemala.
There was some (semi) serious talk of filling a tanker up in Venezuela (where diesel is 3c/gallon) and mooring out at 26 miles......things are getting desperate !!
It may seem like the fall and winter is still far away - but it is never too soon to plan a trip to a nice warm climate with the World's Best Sailfishing in Guatemala.
When the weather turns cool, and the first frost comes - you will be glad that you have dates booked not too far hence to get away from the snow in the drive, or the ugly commute and come down to feel the sun on your face and the smell of diesel at the dock ! Watch the VIDEO to whet your appetite !
Not only that, but we can guarantee a worry free trip for your group with our quality villas in the safe environs of the Soleil (Villas del Pacifico) Resort and our fleet of Bertam Sportfishers.
The season starts in earnest in October and runs with excellent fishing until about the end of June.......which is when the "rainy" season commences and the weather can become less predictable. The middle of the season (jan/Feb/March) tends to be very busy in Guatemala - as all of the "stars line up" : cold weather in the North, warm in the South, GREAT fishing, onset of mid-winter blues etc..........so many of our clients repeat book for the following season as soon as they get back from the trip - this means however that availability quickly becomes limted. If you are considering a trip in that period, please give us a call as soon as you can firm up plans 1-877-763-0851 to check availability BEFORE you book flights.
or CONTACT US
We wish you tight lines, a safe and pleasant summer - and look forward to earning your business in the 2008/9 season.
Contact us at: enquiries@greatsailfishing.com or to register for our weekly fishing report and other information please click here: Guatemala Fishing International: 001-(336)655-0541 Toll Free: 1-877-763-0851 Fax: 1-877-763-0896 Email: greatsailfishing@yahoo.com |
July 21, 2008
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