8th Annual Guatemala Invitational
December 7-11, 2023
Story by: Evan A. Hipsley, Jr.
8th Annual Guatemala Billfish Invitational roll up departing from and returning to Marina Pez Vela, Puerto Quetzal Guatemala December 8-10, 2023. There were 27 total teams (18 Pro and 9 Amateur). 16 IGFTO Observers rotated amongst the Pro boats each fishing day; the tournament totals included 764 Sailfish and 5 Marlin releases.
Friday, December 8, 2023 Day 1:
I observed on Allure II, a 42’ Custom and we headed southeast approx 20 miles putting lines in at 0800 per Tournament Rules.
Captain: Julio
Anglers:
Justin Hodge
Steve Hargett
Matt George
Tony Semann
Julio
Mates: Enio
0808 drive by
0828 Julio lands Dorado
0837 drive by
0843 drive by
0852 drive by
0855 Sailfish release by Justin
0923 Tony loses Dorado
0927 Tony loses Dorado
0931 Tony lands Dorado
0946 Dorado bite off
0956 Justin loses dorado - bad gaff shot
0957 Steve loses Dorado - line break
1028 Matt releases Sailfish
1051 boated a Dorado
1132 Sailfish in Spread (right teaser)
1216 Mystery bite
1333 Marlin zooming on right teaser-doesn’t come tight
1333 Matt Sailfish hooked
1335 Matt releases Sailfish
1403 Dorado bite off
1432 Bonita bite off
1523 Julio Sailfish hooked up
1525 Julio releases Sailfish
1530 Lines out.
Saturday December 9, 2023 Day 2: Army vs. Navy Day
Underway on Ecsta Sea. Unfortunately mechanical problems brought us back to port & we hot-swapped to the Aupa, one of the tournament standby boats.
Captain: Fernando
Mates; Alvaro, Lupe’, & Jose’.
Anglers:
Jay Rodriguez
Michael Gangiuln
Greg Valentine
David Griner
0837 Mike lands Dorado
0858 Repositioned more South
0923 lines in
0928 Mike lands Dorado
0938 Jay releases Dorado
0954 David lands Dorado
1111 mystery bite
1310 Dorado bite off
1322 Sailfish jumps beside boat
1329 Sailfish in spread both left & right teaser
1341 Jay hooked up to Sailfish
1343 Jay releases Sailfish
1429 Mike releases Sailfish
1443 bite off
1530-1800 Lines out. Mechanical issues also plagued Aupa today and we arrived back to the marina very late. Thanks to Black Jack (Julio & Mario Castaneda) for turning around and coming back to assist us.
Sunday December 10, 2023 Day 3:
I had the pleasure to observe on Uno Mas, a 36’ Luhrs.
Captain: Justin
Mates: Edwin and Weecho
Anglers:
Steve Summers
Christine Summers
Tim Wills
Stacey Wills
0811 Steve releases Dorado
0824 Steve lands a floating stick w/crab
Picked up & Relocated
0955 mystery bite off
1019 left flat line knock down
1029 Chrissy lands Dorado
Picked up & Relocated
1128 Tim hooks sailfish
1130 Tim RELEASED Sailfish
1138 Chrissy hooks up Sailfish
1140 Chrissy RELEASED Sailfish
1227 Tim hooks Sailfish
1231 Tim RELEASED Sailfish
1309 fish in spread.
1321 mystery bite
1326 quad hook up on sailfish
1330 Tim RELEASED Sailfish
1331 Chrissy RELEASED Sailfish
1343 Tim Sailfish bite off & free jumper
1414 Tim hooked up Sailfish
1419 Tim RELEASED Sailfish
1428 Tim lands Dorado
1138 Tim lands small Shark (looked like baby Mako)
1454 Shark released
1454 Tim hooks up Sailfish
1458 Tim RELEASED Sailfish
1517 Tim hooks Sailfish
1523 Tim RELEASED Sailfish
1530 Lines out.
We look forward to 2024; tenative dates are 5-9 December. Stay tuned and tight lines.
