During the No Sancocho Sailfish Shootout, teams have the option to catch billfish on the FLY to gain more points. On the final day, the all-ladies Team Makaira rallied with 3 on fly! Unfortunately that couldn’t hold their lead and Finest Kind creeped into 3rd place with 28 releases! Team Decisive had a whopping 4 blue marlin released bringing their total blues to 8 and ultimately secured their first place position. Rum Line held strong with 20 releases but just not enough to push through the top and maintained their 2nd place spot.
Over the three day tournament we had 686 raises, 558 bites, and 397 billfish releases, along with 35 delicious mahi mahi, and a grand total of 163 SANCOCHOS!
Thank you to all who participated, followed us on Instagram, and went above and beyond their sancocho donation as you bumped the grand total to $7,390 that will go to local schools in Puerto San Jose. A big thank you to all of our sponsors: Cummins, Costa Sunglasses, YETI, Traeger Grills, SIMRAD, Contender Boats, Sportsman’s Adventures, Casa del Jade, and The Billfish Foundation. To see photos of the event and the full results CLICK HERE.
Please join us next year for the 2020 No Sancocho Sailfish Shootout, which will include a lay day so we can all have a relaxing day off the water together!
FINAL RESULTS
Top Team: Decisive with Capt. Brad Philipps
2nd Place: Rum Line with Capt. Terry Brennan
3rd Place: Finest Kind with Capt. Nicho Alvarenga
Top Lady Angler: Connie O’Day, presented by Sportsman’s Adventure
Largest Dorado: Kenny Kowal 66”
Sancocho King: Capt. Rick Thomas
Fly like a Champ
The all-ladies of Team Makaira opted to fly to Guatemala City like the champions they are after the No Sancocho Sailfish Shootout. These powerful women have been to the Lodge more than a handful of times and this time they changed up their departure with a helicopter tour of Antigua and the Volcanoes.
We have been overwhelmed with responses to our optional helicopter transport from Guatemala City Airport to the Lodge so we’d like to share all the details with you for those that would like to try something quicker, different, and absolutely breathtaking.
For the anglers that chose the helicopter upon arrival in Guatemala City or departure from the Lodge, they will have the unique opportunity to tour the volcanoes (Pacaya, Agua, Fuego), ancient Antigua, and the marina by air prior to arriving in 45 minutes. The average package for 4 people in the Lone Ranger Helicopter is $1,640 p/w, and of course, the flight is weather dependent. For more information or to reserve your helicopter tour give us a call or email us here.
Más Poco Loco
This season Capt. David Salazar will be at the helm of the Poco Loco, a 44′ Kinchloe Nickerson, for a large majority of the season. Last season, he took to the road and experienced trade show life hopping from once city to the next spreading the love of Casa Vieja Lodge. In doing so, he realized how much he missed the water and seeing all of his clients.
“My wife, (Kristen) loves trade shows, meeting new clients, and introducing them to the fishery in Guatemala. I like taking those same clients out fishing and proving to them that she wasn’t lying, and just how good we are!”
There are a few select dates that he won’t be in Guatemala due to family commitments, but simply check with the Miami Office if you specifically want to book Capt. Dave. He and his wife, Kristen, own Casa Vieja Lodge, and have not one, two, but now THREE young daughters.
Fishing News
November has been a whirlwind. Fishing has been consistent, majority of the days well above our average, and with both blue and striped marlin in the daily mix. Clients have been amazed at the large schools of sailfish tailing the top waters. A farther, but quick ride out in the Contender Boats, clients have encountered large tunas, 85lbs+.
Stay up to date with our daily fishing reports on our website HERE. Below are a few highlights:
- November 1st-13th, the Finest Kind (40’ Whiticar) with Capt. Nicho Alvarenga, had 206 raises, 184 bites, and 136 sailfish releases plus 7 marlin raises, 3 marlin bites, 3 striped marlin releases, and 12 mahi-mahi.
- November 1st-13th, the Release (37′ Merritt) with Capt. Chico Alvarenga, had 244 raises, 198 bites, and 149 sailfish releases plus 7 marlin raises, 7 marlin bites, 4 marlin releases (2 striped marlin), and 19 mahi-mahi!
- November 1st-13th, the Rum Line (40′ Gamefisherman) with Capt. Terry Brennan, had 194 raises, 181 bites, and 121 sailfish releases plus 8 marlin raises, 7 marlin bites, 3 marlin releases, and 11 mahi-mahi.
- November 1st-13th, the Pez Raton (35′ Contender) with Capt. Franz Hoffman, had 106 raises, 85 bites, and 75 sailfish releases plus 6 marlin raises, 3 marlin bites, 1 marlin release, 5 mahi-mahi, and 2 tuna!
- November 6th-13th, the Afinity (39′ Billy Knowles) with Capt. Nico Melendrez, had 176 raises, 109 bites, and 84 sailfish releases plus 5 marlin raises, 1 marlin bite, 1 marlin release, and 5 mahi-mahi.
- November 7th-13th, the Makaira (37’ Rybovich) with Capt. Jason Brice, had 128 raises, 118 bites, and 73 sailfish releases plus 2 marlin raises, 2 marlin bites, 1 striped marlin release, and 9 mahi-mahi.
- November 7th-13th, fishing 4 days, the El Cadejo (35′ Contender) with Capt. Benji Bairez, had 58 raises, 52 bites, and 37 sailfish releases plus 2 marlin raises, 2 marlin bites, 2 marlin releases, 6 mahi-mahi, and 8 grouper!
Below are available dates, if any of them speak to you, click them, to send a direct email inquiry:
- November 26- December 3: Poco Loco (44′ Kincheloe Nickerson)
- December 30- January 2: Afinity (39′ Billy Knowles)
- January 3-6: Rum Line (40′ Gamefisherman)
- January 28-31: Rum Line (40′ Gamefisherman)
- February 9-12: Poco Loco (44′ Kincheloe Nickerson)
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