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Craig Johnson's blue caught on 20lb test during the PCCA Tournament

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Shane with his fish caught on 12lb test......

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A couple of nice roosters for brothers Cam Jr and Shane Sigler earlier this year up the beach from the Marina Pez Vela here in Guatemala

Latest Catch Reports - November 2007 - PRESIDENTIAL CHALLENGE IN CENTRAL AMERICA

The 11th annual Guatemalan leg of the Presidential Challenge of Central America just passed through from November 16th-18th. As usual the fishing was good and it all came down to time to decide the winner of this leg with 3 boats finishing on 2900pts. A change in the points system saw a marlin worth 500pts and a sailfish 100pts on the exclusive tournament Berkley 20lb test line.

Most boats were out practice fishing on the Thursday before the tournament kicked off and the marlin still seem to be around in numbers with the Capt Hook releasing 5 blues from 7 bites and the Decisive releasing 2 marlin for the day along with their 4 sails, one of the marlins was a black so made for a grand slam, congratulations to both boats. On Allure we got off to late start leaving Marina Pez Vela around 9.00am and started fishing at around 8 miles off the beach, soon hearing the reports of marlin bites we ran another 10 miles and got amongst the action, we raised 3 blues getting one to bite though missed it, the other fish although being aggressive on the teaser refused the pitched mackerel and the last stayed deeper, checking out a couple of the teasers but not coming up. On the sails we ended with 4 from 6 bites and caught 12 nice dorado for sashimi and fish burgers and plenty of fish to take home for the guys.

Day one of the tournament saw more action with team Allure consisting of Craig Johnson, Hill Dishman and Tommy Tilotta releasing 7 from 12 bites to be right there amongst the top boats at the end of the day with 700pts. The Circle Hook were top boat for the day seeing only 4 fish though 2 of those being blue marlin caught and released and also releasing one sail…….1100pts, nice going Capt Eddie.

Day two saw us in the action early though encountering a little bad luck jumping a couple off and missing a couple of bites. We raised a nice blue aggressive on the teaser, though fading on the bait and near the end of the day we were 3 from 8 when luck took its turn and a perfect sized blue for the 20lb tackle came into the spread with just 20mins till lines out. Craig Johnson did an excellent job and the fish sure put on some fireworks, though with aggressive angling we released the 150lb marlin in 9 minutes. Nice job Craig, we were back in the hunt just 300pts off the top boat with 1500pts.

Day 3 the tables turned and the fish started to bite, with boats releasing up to 15 sails though marlin ruled the day and the Pica Pleitos with just 1000pts at the start of the day released a stripey, a blue and 9 sails getting the slam and to finish in the top 3 with time making the difference. Team A-Fin-Ity finishing first on time, Team Maverick and Pica Pleitos all finishing on 2900 pts. Congratulations to all. On Allure we were right there amongst the bite but I just could not get on to the fish like some of the other boats were. I guess that’s the way it goes. All in all a great tournament and a great time had by all with 263 sails released, 11 blue marlin and one stripey making the numbers between the 15 boats participating.

Since the tournament the bite dropped off a little though the blues are still around and biting and things picked up again on the 22nd (Happy Thanksgiving to all) with boats getting up to 18 bites. Today, the 23rd we took out local Panza Verdes (Antiguans) Sylvia and Louisa Arevelo, Bruce McCowan and his son and grandson from Houston, Brent and Griffin McCowan. We had a great day on the water in perfect conditions and had some great fishing releasing 9 from 14 bites on the sails before pulling lines in at 1.30pm to run in shore to the color change where we picked up 7 dorado. Good fishing to young Griffin who fought the majority of the fish along with Sylvia, excessive Thanksgiving celebrations taking their toll on the others…….

Speaking of tournaments the next big one to come through Guatemala is the 6th Annual ‘No Sancocho Tournament’ to be held January 27, 28 and 29th. This is one of the best tournaments to come through Guatemala and there are 7 boats confirmed to date. Great daily cash prizes and a helluva good time by everyone participating is guaranteed. Teams of 4 anglers rotate on boats daily with the option of fly-fishing to mix it up in the points allocated. There are more boats available and if you’d like to take part in one of the most fun tournaments in Guatemala get a team together and get in touch with us here at Rods and Reels Sportfishing………