The first-annual Guatemala Billfish Invitational took place at Pacific Fins Resort and Marina, April 8-12, 2016. The purpose of this three-day tournament was to highlight the conservation efforts of the Sailfish Commission in Guatemala. Celebrity anglers attending the event were Capt. Wild Bill Wichrowski, star of Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch,” Capt. Scott Walker of “Into The Blue,” Peter Miller, host of NBC’s “Bass2Billfish,” Food Network chef Terry French, Rob Kramer, president of the IGFA and Dr. Nelson Ehrhardt from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. Also in attendance were the head of the United Nations in Guatemala, the Vice Minister of Fisheries, the Guatemalan Tourism Board (INGUAT) and the local media.
In three days of fishing, the teams raised a total of 501 billfish, had 383 bites and released 179, with each angler hooking and fighting their own fish. In the end, it would be the team of Capt. Scott Walker, Stephen Groth from Papa’s Pilar, Ozzy Delgado of Guy Harvey, Doug Shenk and the crew of Chechos emerging victorious in the event.
