Guatemala is one of those top-shelf fishing destinations and is unlike any other on the planet for a number of reasons. Hordes of Pacific sailfish roam the vast Pacific in numbers that can be mind-boggling. The country’s waters are also home to blue, black and striped marlin as well, species that often don’t receive the notoriety that the sailfish do just because of the numbers. But in recent years the marlin fishery, especially for blue marlin, seems to be coming on stronger than ever before.
Capt. Brad Philipps, at the helm of the 40-foot Gamefisherman, Decisive, capped another incredible season in 2016 with an amazing 3,602 sailfish, 66 blue marlin and three striped marlin releases. His best day was catching 84 sailfish from 107 bites. On another day, his anglers went four for four on blue marlin, with one over 500 and one over 600 pounds. Decisive had 31 days where they released over 40 sailfish, and they also let go 281 sailfish on fly. Here’s a photo gallery showing just some of the incredible Guatemala billfish action.
