We had some spectacular fishing for the first half of March with bait, billfish, whales and dorado all in huge numbers, although thigns slowed for the latter part.
The month started with us hosting the 64th Ocean City Light Tackle Derby with a total of 271 sailfish and two blue marlin releases for the thrilled anglers.
Decisive took top boat honours by more than 10 sailfish and two blue marlin.
Craig Zigler and his son Mike joined us the 8th for three days of great fishing. Releasing 20 sailfish on their first day, then 13 the second, followed by 10 on their final day.
The 11th saw us return to the dock early in preperation for what might have been. We had warning about a possible Tsunami as a result of the Japan Quake and headed out latter to ride it out a mile offshore and thankfully experienced no problems what so ever.
Eddie Dalidowicz and his son Bronco, started with us on the 13th and what a day it proved to be with 12 sailfish releases and one of the most spectacular fish of the season so far for 15 year old Bronco, a magnificent 650lb black marlin. Bronco did a fine job on the fish, showing loads of determination, while the marlin put on some fantastic boatside antics, as only a black marlin can. Well done Bronco!! The following day the father and son duo released a busy 19 sailfish with another 12 or so aboard the Intensity the next day to finish out their most memorable fishing trip yet.
John and Heather Harvey of Richards Bay, South Africa made their annual pilgrimage to join in our fish fest and were again treated to some stunning action. On their 5 consecutive days they tallyed a total of over 100 sailfish releases with their best day seeing 38 releases. Another amazing trip for the couple!!!
Len Kouba my old 'grander' friend from the big marlin waters of West Africa joined us along with his friend Ron Desideri for 4 days of fishing. This was Lens 3rd trip to Guatemala and thankfully he has seen it great on those previuos trips because things unfortunatly slowed a little from the previuos weeks of red-hot activity. The duo released as many as 5 sails in a day and missed a blue on their first day, but we sure hope that they make it back so Ron can see how good the fishing usually is here. Good luck on your African leopard hunt Ron, we look forward to the stories.
One of our most loyal friends, Denny Doyle of Jacksonville Florida joined us the 25th, along with his longstanding friends, Sutton McGehee, Charles Sorenson and Phillip Meide, for three days of good times...and what an enjoyable group it was. One cann't go wrong when the coradery is that good. The fish were not to co-operate, but everyone did catch a sailfish and we were spoilt with an unusual visitor in the form of a 50lb wahoo which made for some great steaks on the grill to put the icing on a special trip for the old school friends.
Our neighbour and another long term friend of ours, Scott Lund was down with us along with his friend Scott Armand for the 28th and 29th, releasing a few sailfish each day on conventional, spin and fly rod to end out another Guatemalan month.
Until next report, tight line, eagle claw circle hooks and healthy releases.
Capt. Brad Philipps
www.guatbilladv.com