VERY RARE: Pregnant Sailfish

Caught on FLY

APRIL FOOLS!

While our April Fool’s sailfish photo looks like she is about to give birth to a small whale, we do see “pregnant” females, but they never get that enormous, and they are full of eggs not baby sailfish! Did you know during spawning season a single female is usually followed by several males (explaining why multiple bites are so common) waiting for the her to release eggs into the water. The males then immediately release their sperm to fertilize the eggs externally, this process is known as broadcast spawning. Under the right conditions a single female can release an average of 1,700,000 eggs every three to four days! What’s even more impressive is that the number of eggs produced by female sailfish grows exponentially with the weight of the fish so the biggest, mature sailfish are capable of releasing as many as 2,500,000 eggs in just one spawning event.

While that sounds like a lot of eggs and a lot of biomass, keep in mind these eggs are microscopic in size and scientific research on eastern pacific sailfish has found that even in the biggest females (well over 120 lbs.) their gonads (reproductive organs) only grew to weigh 11 lbs, so she doesn’t gain too much weight! However, all these sailfish around to make more sailfish is no joking matter to us at Casa Vieja. We want to make sure there are plenty of sailfish for future generations of our guests to enjoy and take efforts to protect them very seriously. This comes from working with great conservation organizations like The Billfish Foundation, CABA, and everyday practices like not removing the sailfish out of the water for pictures.

Solo Anglers This One’s For You

Calling all SOLO anglers! You asked for it, and now you have another opportunity to come alone and fish at the world famous Casa Vieja Lodge May 10-14^th at a much cheaper rate than normal! For $2,930/angler you will fish with the best in the business for 3 full days of fishing, 4 nights lodging (including your private room), VIP airport transportation, alcohol and meals, laundry service, and the finest tournament tackle. Act fast as this is based on availability.  Call our Miami office at 1-800-882-4665 for more information or email us  and secure your spot.

Team up with other solo anglers while also splitting the cost and making new friends.  Late spring in Guatemala is great for a mixed plate of sailfish, blue marlin, mahi mahi, and tuna. Test out different techniques, get tips and tricks from our top tagging mates and captains, and cross Casa Vieja Lodge off your bucket list.

Fishing Highlights

Welcome April! No Spring Showers here, only great weather and fishing in beautiful Guatemala! On April 3^rd, Angler Kevin Burke released a Blue Marlin aboard the Rum Line, which Capt. Chris Sheeder estimated to be well over 700lbs!
Junior angler Andrew “AJ” Dyson, 11-years old, released his FIRST Sailfish on FLY on his FIRST Cast, followed by many more aboard the Finest Kind, with Capt. David Salazar. We aren’t sure who on the boat was the most excited, AJ, his dad, or Capt. David!

The Meza’s, father and son duo, were fighting a mahi mahi aboard the El Cadejo with Captain. Efrain, and a had a blue marlin eat their mahi mahi! Very spectacular thing to see, but unfortunately they didn’t hook up the marlin!

You can always check out the daily Fishing Reports which you can find on our website HERE. Always keep in mind that numbers vary depending on if fly or conventional is used, or many other factors depending on the anglers, for example if they want to target more tuna or blue marlin, or head home earlier, at the end of the day it’s their private charter and our Captains do what the clients want to do with their day!. Below are just a few of the highlights:

• March 24^th-27^th, the Afinity (39’ Billy Knowles) with Capt. Chico Alvarenga, had 109 raises, 77 bites, and 45 sailfish releases. He also had 1 marlin bite!
• March 24^th-April 4^th, the Rum Line (40’ Gamefisherman) with Capt. Chris Sheeder has been non-stop, and fished conventional and fly, with 153 raises, 104 bites, and 59 releases!  Plus 7 marlin raises, 4 marlin bites, and 2 blue marlin releases.
• March 23^th-28^th, the El Cadejo (35’ ST Contender) with Capt. Efrain Rizzo, had 139 raises, 112 bites, and 69 sailfish releases. Plus 1 stripe marlin release!
• March 25^th-31^st, the Finest Kind (40’ Whiticar), with Capt. David Salazar, had 131 raises, 105 bites, and 65 sailfish releases! He also had 4 marlin raises, 2 marlin bites, 1 marlin release!
• March 24^th-26^th, the Makaira (37’ Rybovich) with Capt. Jason Brice, had 106 raises, 89 bites, and 62 sailfish releases on both fly and conventional.
• March 27^th-28^th, the Intensity (37’ Gamefisherman) with Capt. Mike Sheeder, had 34 raises, 25 bites, and 14 sailfish releases! Plus 2 blue marlin raises and 1 marlin bite and 1 release!
• March 26^th-28^th, the Spindrift (38’ Stolper) with Capt. Nicho Alvarenga, had 60 raises, 44 bites, & 30 sailfish releases. PLUS 1 blue marlin release!
• March 25^th, the Pez Raton (35’ ST Contender) with Capt. Franz Hoffman, had 9 raises, 7 bites, and 7 ROOSTERFISH releases!  They stayed inshore and also got 3 mahi mahi.

 

“Get your Happy on!”