Guatemala is unparalleled when it comes to catching sailfish, particularly on fly-fishing gear. Renowned as the world’s premier destination for this Pacific sails, Guatemala offers fly anglers an extraordinary opportunity to improve their skills. The secret to its fame lies in the sheer abundance of billfish in its waters. Boats here raise an average of 30 sailfish each day — far more than just about anywhere else on the globe.
Catching sailfish in this region is no solitary activity; it’s a team sport that demands coordination and expertise. Anglers rely heavily on the talent and experience of local crews, who masterfully employ teasers to draw the fish close to the boat. The ability to excite sailfish into striking is an art form in itself. The crew uses two daisy chains of rubber squids along with hookless, skirted ballyhoo, expertly rigged to entice sails right to the transom.
Casa Vieja Lodge, a prominent fly-fishing operation in Guatemala, is specifically tailored for this specialized form of fishing. Anglers can expect top-notch equipment such as 14-weight fly rods and state-of-the-art reels specifically engineered to handle the power of a large billfish. These setups include reels filled with 50-pound braided line backing and high-visibility monofilament leaders, which add stretch and visibility to the fight, ensuring a strong connection between angler and sailfish.
But why do anglers travel from all corners of the world to fish for sailfish in Guatemala? The Pacific sailfish, larger and less cautious than their Atlantic counterparts, provide thrilling battles that test an angler’s skill and stamina. Their aggressive nature is perfectly suited for the tease-and-switch technique used in fly-fishing. The sight of a sailfish breaching the water — powerful and aerial, with its sail-like dorsal fin cutting through the ocean at high speed — is a spectacle that stays etched in an angler’s memory.
Operations like Casa Vieja Lodge not only provide exceptional fishing opportunities but also elevate the overall experience with their knowledgeable crews, seasoned captains, and meticulously maintained fleets.
WHEN TO GO
Fishing seasons peak between December and March and again from May through July, offering anglers multiple windows to capitalize on these optimal conditions. But you can catch sailfish as well as marlin, any month of the year in Guatemala.
Guatemala’s oceanic landscape, coupled with the camaraderie among anglers, creates a journey worth undertaking more than once. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced angler, the thrill of spotting a sailfish looming behind a teaser, followed by the captain’s urgent call to cast — it’s a blend of anticipation and adrenaline that’s impossible to resist.
For anyone passionate about fly-fishing, the experience of catching a sailfish in Guatemala serves as a rite of passage, a tale to recount among fellow anglers. With its impressive numbers and the unparalleled enthusiasm that each strike brings, this adventure remains unmatched, making Guatemala the ultimate destination for those yearning to test their mettle against one of the ocean’s most formidable denizens.
