Guatemala - Xmas Season ? Marlin season more like !!

[greatsailfishing]

This Guatemala fishing report is for the week ending
November 26 th 2007 and is prepared by
The Great Sailfishing Company
operating out of the new Pez Vela
Marina.

Sometimes the requests for Santa are fairly straightforward –
a new reel, a traveling rod case, a splendid GreatSailfishing
tshirt – sometimes however, they can be a bit of a challenge.

We had an inquiry from the North Pole that had been relayed
on from Russia – Sergey Ilinykh really, REALLY wanted to
hook up to a Blue Marlin that would challenge his technique
as well as his equipment.
He had been monitoring our fishing reports from Guatemala,
and had browsed the claims on our site that has been promoting
the remarkable Marlin bite over the last couple of seasons at
www.GreatMarlinfishing.com – and he figured this was the
place to make his bet.

Although he didn’t have to visit the North Pole before arriving
in Guatemala – he did have to fly through Amsterdam’s Schiphol
airport, which can be a challenge to his technique all by itself.
Sure enough, some weather and flight delays caused him to miss his
connection, and inevitably he would arrive a day later than planned.
Now the decision – sacrifice a days fishing, or curtail the Tikal trip
by a day ? Approximately 3 seconds later, he relayed the message
to us in Guatemala – pickup at the airport, head straight for the coast.

The fishing has been great the last couple of weeks, as reported
in our prior reports; lines in at 10 miles, a strong and steady Sailfish
bite. Raises in the 20+ have been consistent day after day. One of
our groups last week raised over 50 Sailfish in a day – out came the
fly gear, and Mr. Schafferius successfully also added his first billfish on
the fly to his (considerable) list of achievements.

With this knowledge, Sergey boarded the Joint Venture with an air of
optimism.

It didn’t take long until the first Sailfish were in the boat – but it was
clearly Marlin that he was after. Midday …….. sailfish bashing the
left teaser……….when the Cap’n calls out “Marlin on left rigger” – and
sure enough there was the long shadow looming under the bait. Francisco
(aka Guapo) handles the reel as his 25 years of experience have taught,
and carefully guides the bait towards the transom. The marlin follows, the
shadow becomes less grey, lights up and chases, he yanks at the last
minute….. Hermano pitches the belly-bait on the Penn 50W – and they
are hooked up to a magnificent, and very large Blue Marlin.

The weight estimates continued to increase as the fight bore on – first
it was the “regular” 350lbs……….then it became 500lbs……..the fight wore
on. The original hookup was at 19 miles, but she was eventually brought
to the boat at 27 miles 4 hours later. The cap’n estimated the weight at
over 700lbs – too large to be brought in for pictures, so the effort moved
instantly to revive and release. It took some time, but eventually she
shook her massive bill and slipped off into the deep blue water.

Santa always does his best.

More days, more fishing and more Blue Marlin have followed. To be
updated in next weeks report.


A strong Marlin
bite, good numbers of Sailfish raise and caught – and even
food for the table……….things are definitely looking up in the
rich fishing grounds off the Pacific Coast of Guatemala.

The boats are ready, the crews are primed – come down and enjoy
the buildup to what we hope is going to be a great season
fishing with The Great Sailfishing Company

We still have availability for some of the popular dates, so don’t
wait, give us a call at 1-877-763-0851 or send us an email (below)
to check on dates – we would look forward to welcoming you to
some of the finest fishing anywhere.

Our Favorite Fishing Quote for the week:

“ Be patient and calm – for no one can catch
fish in anger”

~ Herbert Hoover


Contact us at:

enquiries@greatsailfishing.com

or to register for our weekly fishing report and other
> information please click here :

> http://www.greatsailfishing.com/en/register.html

[George Woodward]

"The cap’n estimated the weight at over 700lbs – too large to be brought in for pictures, so the effort moved instantly to revive and release. "

It is illegal to kill billfish in Guatemala. Therefore it is in your best financial interest to not do so.

[Legend]

Our client, Tom Paul and friends, fished with Capt. Hamlin over the weekend (13 thru 15 Dec) have this report:

Day One: They went looking for Blue Marlin, finding only a few, baited and hooked three, releasing two up to 400-lbs. Since they targeted the marlin, the schools of sails were far away.

Day Two: Today, they went charging after the sails, found them 28 miles offshore in a pack of boats. Released 20 out of 38 fish.

Day Three: Went after the sails again, releasing 18 out of 31 fish

Three day total: 2 for 3 Blues and 38 for 69 sails.

[Legend]

Clients, Dave & Arlene Ribler, fished with both Ron Hamlin and Eddie Bairez, this month. First two days on the "new" Captain Hook with Capt. Hamlin, they had 54 sails released. The last two days on the "old" Hook, renamed the Circle Hook with Capt. Bairez, got them 80 sails and 1 black marlin. The four day total was 134 sails and 1 black.

[Ozimo]

I'm happy to see Eddie has been finally promoted to Captain! He and his brother are great little guys who have a "nose" for finding the fish. I'll bet this year, he does better than Ronnie.