by Capt. Brad Philipps
When it comes to fishing, anglers look for the biggest species that put on the most aerial of shows once hooked. The Pacific Sailfish has long been recognized by anglers as being a perfect species. Sailfish grow big, are aggressive and persistent on the bite, and they put on a spectacularly acrobatic display once hooked. Nowhere are there bigger numbers of sailfish than off the Pacific Coast of Guatemala, giving anglers multiple opportunities at making for the most memorable of fishing experiences. Boats operating out of Marina Pez Vela, in Porto Quetzal, which is an easy one hour drive South of Guatemala City, hold many a world fishing record. With as many as 124 sailfish releases in a single day on conventional trolling tackle, 57 on fly fishing gear in a day, and close to 3000 releases in a single year by a single boat, not to mention up to 6 blue marlin releases in a day and countless dorado and tuna to ensure any angler is treated to an angling trip of a lifetime.
Below: Capt. Brad Philipps poses with a Pacific Sailfish
Pelagic Pro Team Captain Brad Philipps has been guiding anglers on these prolific waters for over a decade and is widely acclaimed as one of the top sportsfishing captains in the world. Philipps’s story is an interesting one – he is a South African who has fished the world, gaining experience and building his considerable reputation in the most recognizable of big gamefishing hotspots. He came to Guatemala from Brazil wishing to explore first hand the amazing reports emerging from these prolific waters back in 2000. While validating the unbelievable reports of record numbers of fish and enjoying a spectacular season on the water, he met and married Cindy Ramirez, the current Miss Guatemala, making Guatemala home. A few years latter, they went on to open, Guatemalan Billfishing Adventures. This highly successful operation has now been operating for over 6 years, providing the very best of billfishing to their guests.
Below: An aptly named Sailfish shows off its distinguishing feature
While on the water their anglers, whether experienced tournament clients or first time fishermen, are treated to the worlds most special of billfishing experiences aboard one of the worlds most recognized boats, the Decisive, a 40ft Gamefishermen. With Brad at the helm, two highly experienced local mates working the cockpit, top rate tackle and all the facilities one would expect aboard a first class boat, anglers have averaged around 15 sailfish releases a day over the last 11 seasons with Brad. Sailfish average 80lb in size and can get as big as 150lb in these waters. The blue marlin average between 250lbs and 400lbs with much larger fish being caught each year. The fishing season coincides with this area’s dry months of October through July, giving anglers the added advantage of magnificent weather, flats seas and breathtaking views as they ply these blue waters, rich with ocean life such as Humpbacked whales, Spinner and Bottle-nosed dolphins and Ridley Turtles.
Below: Renowned marine-life photographer Tony Ludovico snapped this incredible photo of a sailfish swarming a bait ball
With anticipations approaching fever pitch, boats usually leave the marina around 7am in the morning to make their run out to the fish. Bait, water quality and a variety of different reasons will depict where the bite might be found for that particular day, but experience and a bounty of other information will have top captains putting their anglers on the action in no time. A combination of circle hooked ballyhoo baits (a small 7-9 inch long fish) and teasers (hook-less lures) are trolled behind the boat in order to attract the sailfish, marlin or any predatory fish’s attention. If a fish bites the hooked ballyhoo it is allowed to eat the bait and then hooked in the corner of the mouth, game on!! Fish that come up on a hook-less teaser are coaxed in towards the boat and hooked bait is then presented to it. This switch-baiting method of angling gets anglers much more involved in the experience and also gives crews a choice of tackle to which to feed depending on the size and species of fish that shows up on the teaser.
Below: A healthy sail puts on a show for the camera
It’s not unusual for multiple sailfish to show up at the same time, as they regularly feed in small groups co-operating in their feeding behavior. Good crews capitalize on this and seeing two, three or even as many as five sailfish jumping in all directions with every angler hooked up is a spectacle to behold. The reels drags have been carefully set and are silky smooth. Even though the line is relatively light at either 20 or 30 pound breaking strain, and sometimes much lighter, the angler plays the fish with the captain giving chase with the boat in order to release the fish in fairly quick order allowing for a speedy and healthy release. A big marlin could pounce on one of the bigger teasers at any moment with a mackerel being tossed to it on a 50lb test outfit. The marlin bite is often savage, and the ensuing fight a spectacular show of powerful jumps, long runs and dogged strength, often making a marlin release an angler’s lifetime highlight. With hot lunches, ice cold drinks, and all the amenities on board its an extremely satisfied group that hits the dock later that afternoon. Anglers then enjoy the wonderful lodge environment where the relaxing swimming pool is more often than not the first of gathering spots where fishermen congregate to tell their big stories and share memories that will last a lifetime.
Below: Capt. Brad Philipps with his record-breaking release in '04
Sailfish are a protected species in Guatemala and the use of the highly successful circle hook a legal requirement. Guatemala’s ecologically minded approach ensures that all sailfish and marlin are released in the healthiest of conditions thus strengthening the future of this country’s unique resource and allowing for the continued growth in this tourism related sector.
The fish, experienced crews, boats and lodges are all here. Guatemala’s sailfishing paradise awaits the adventurous. It’s a must-do experience for everyone and it’s only an easy flight away.
Capt. Brad Philipps hosts an array of records including amassing an incredible career total of over 20,000 billfish releases, as well as being named Marlin Magazine’s ‘Captain of the Year’ in 2008. To book your next fishing trip to Guatemala – visit Capt. Brad on the web at www.GuatBillAdv.com
