JASON MARTIN WITH FIRST BILLFISH, MINUTES INTO HIS TRIP...
July 23rd ALLURE co-owner Hill Dishman arrived on the midday flight from Houston with Guatemalan regular Chief Tauzin and first time customer Jason Martin. Straight from the airport on to the boat and we left the dock around 1pmish for a couple of hours fishing, trying to get a feel for what was going on out there for the next couple of days . At around 6NM of the breakwall we came across the color change to deep blue water and lots of debris on the current line. A couple of nice mahi's were first on the menu before trolling outside the current line and there she came, Jason Martin's first billfish after soaking the baits for mere minutes. We worked the area before being 'allured' to deeper water at the bottom of the pocket and to the west with blue marlin in mind. Working further off-shore to around 12NM proved a little slow with just mahi bites. Trolling back into the 6-7NM range we had another 3 bites at the end of the day to finish 3 from 4 on the sails and an idea of where to concentrate efforts for the coming days.
July 24th-25th Capt Hill Dishman took the helm and Chief and Jason were joined for the next couple of days by more Guatemalan regulars Todd Mucha aka Billy Backlash and John Codrington. Not many details though Capt Hill put the boys on to 'em at the 6NM-8NM mark off the breakwall, I called them before midday and they were already into double figures released and had raised a bunch more. When all was said and done they raised 33, had 24 bites and released 16 sails as well as boating a dozen or more mahi's, missing a good sized wahoo and also raising a small blue on the bridge teaser that didn't stick around in time for a bait to be pitched. Outstanding fishing!! Looks like Billy Backlash didn't live up to his name so that may have to be dropped. Nice going all round.
The 25th was more of the same with Capt Hill back on the ball, a little less raised though the boys were on their game and the averages were as good as it gets with, from the 20 sails raised, 17 bites and 14 releases.....30 releases in 2 days, congrats all round...
It was more of the same for the other boats out there with great numbers being posted by each of the few boats out, though I beleive Hill took top honours both days...
The fishing has been steady when there have been boats out to get into them these last couple of weeks, it's a slow time of year, though not for fishing, just for clientele which is unfortunate as the weather has been (and normally is) great this past July and now into August. Last Weds 29th, Thurs 30th Haole had the Intensity out for a 2 day charter and found them the second day raising 35, and releasing 18 from 24 bites.
Guatemala is not just famous for its incredible billfishing, but also a great summer getaway/adventure holiday destination. We recently had the Koper family all the way from Holland for a short action packed tour of Guatemala organized by Rods and Reels Sportfishing Adventures. Michael and Lucy were joined by sons Jeremy and Tim for a trip which included........
LEARNING TO SURF ON FUN WAVES IN THE PACIFIC for a couple of days....
CLIMBING VOLCAN PACAYA at dusk to enhance the incredible lava flows with Volcans Agua, Fuego and Acatenago as a backdrop. What a veiw, what an experience....HOT!!
CATCHING BIG PACIFIC SAILFISH, Jeremy Koper with a nice Guatemalan sail, July 17th and 18th we had a couple of short days out, leaving late and returning early. They released 7 sails from 13 bites, raised a blue marlin that went from teaser to teaser though didn't eat the pitched mackeral bait and caught countless mahi mahi all within a few miles off the beach. Plenty for fresh fish dinners and lunches.....
TIKAL, a couple of days exploring the Mayan ruins of Tikal in the jungles of north Guatemala....
LAKE ATITLAN, Jeremy, Tim, Michael and Lucy resting on the steps of the church in San Antonio overlooking the beautful Lake Atitlan.....
A FEW DAYS STAYING IN SAN MARCOS including a full day tour of the lake visiting the villages of Santa Catalina, San Antonio, San Lucas and Santiago de Atitlan, kayaking and swimming....
They finished up their trip spending a few leisurely days wandering around the unique city of Antigua. Including spending time at the wonderful Museum of Cafe Azotea and enjoying the highly recommended Elizabeth Bell walking tour of Antigua amongst other things.
What a trip!! As mentioned Guatemala is famous for it's amazing billfishing though it has alot more than just great fishing to offer to the adventure minded tourist. If anyone is interested contact Rods and Reels Sportfishing Adventures for more info on fully customized tours.
ALLURE will be fishing through Thursday August 13th though will be available for charter till the end of the month before being pulled for yearly maintenance. There are some great deals to be had right now and now is as good a time as any, it's all looking good.
More reports next week....
