Sailfish Bay Lodge Guatemala Sportfishing Resort

Guatemala Sport Fishing

Guatemala holds both the conventional and fly fishing records with most sailfish released in one day. Sailfish Bay records include 70 sailfish releases in one day on conventional gear by the Buck Nichols Group on March 13, 2006. They also released 235 sailfish in 3 days of fishing aboard "Maverick" and "Gypsy" March 13, 14, and 15. Our fly fishing record for one day is 22 releases (2 anglers - Michael Barnett & James Yates) on February 14, 2004.

 

The coast here in Guatemala forms a giant bay. Strong currents coming west to east from the Mexican coast turn back after hitting the coast of El Salvador and create an enormous, natural occurring eddy, rich in bait and pelagic fish where billfish and many other sport fishing species are found in great numbers. Your trip will provide memories for a lifetime. In addition to the always abundant sailfish population, you may also have the opportunity to hook dorado, tuna, blue and black marlin. At certain times, our inshore fishing offers shots at roosterfish and jack crevalle.

 

When easterly ocean currents flowing along the Pacific Coast of Central America collide with El Salvador, they retreat, turn west - and create a bay so brimming with billfish it makes anglers giddy. Smack in the middle of this little known area sits the Sailfish Bay Lodge, which employs Guatemalan sportfishing gurus and boasts an astounding record; in a three-day run last year, a father and son reeled in 134 big-water beasts. Newly built bungalows along the beach have opened up the action to more anglers. When your arms tire - and they will - of reeling in the billfish, tuna, and dorado, work out your legs instead with a hike up 12,333-foot Agua volcano, 90 minutes away.

 

Fishing pressure? What fishing pressure? The sport fishing fleet here is small and you usually have Guatemala's calm ocean to yourself... Scientists who have studied the large numbers of sailfish off the coast of Guatemala have concluded this might be the largest breeding ground for Pacific Sailfish in the world. While we call our prime season November thru May, Sailfish are caught year round in Guatemala. We have an amazing fishery. We protect it by practicing catch and release and using circle hooks.

 

Sailfish Bay proudly acquired "Sirena", a 35 ft Viking Yacht in December 2006. Sirena has twin 420 HP Caterpillar engines and is quick to get out to the fishing grounds. We welcome Captain Carlos Diaz to The Sailfish Bay Team. Captain Carlos knows our waters as well as anyone, having grown up in Guatemala and aboard Sirena for 6 years. Carlos and Sirena gained top honors by winning the Presidential Challenge of Central America in Guatemala - 2004. In addition, the boat has also finished in the top position in the Guatemalan Nationals over the past 3 years running, with numerous other top placings in a variety of other tournaments.

 

• Sirena joins "Maverick" and "Gypsy", our twin 32 ft Blackfins.

 

• Sailfish Bay's 4th boat is "Ballena", a 36 ft. Pacemaker.

 

• The 5th boat is "Mariner", a 40 ft. Pacemaker captained by Juan Bamba.

 

• The 6th boat in our arsenal is "Allure", a 39 ft 2001 Bertram with twin 480 HP Volvos. It is captained by "Kiwi".

 

Throughout the season, when needed, we charter other local boats directly from the owners. We know the captains, crews and equipment onboard. We feature Penn, Shimano, and Alutecnos reels. For fly fishing we have Cam Sigler fly rods. Our fly reels are either Abel, Ted Jurascik "Pacific", or the Billy Pate "Marlin" reels. Lightweight conventional tackle is available onboard as well.

 

Sailfish Bay Lodge Pricing

 

Guatemala