Guatemala Contest - By David Sikorski

[Squidnation]

Buena Vista Sportfishing Lodge and Sportfishermen.com Contest - Fishing in Paradise
By David Sikorski
Photos by David Sikorski and Doug Johnson


Sportfishermen.com and Buena Vista Sportfishing Lodge in Iztapa, Guatemala had an incredible contest giveaway last month where a few lucky anglers got to go on a free fishing trip to Guatemala. Nowhere else on the Internet can such great trips be awarded. John Eppehimer of Sportfishermen.com and Jody Elswick pulled out all the stops on this one. At the 11th hour John had to stay back and take care of the ever growing site that we all frequent and enjoy. So Bill Pino of the Billfishing Around the World Forum gave me a call and asked if I would take John’s place and be the official photographer and documenter of this incredible trip. When Bill Pino calls anytime from October to April, I know it's going to involve some far off destination and billfish.

After a quick movie and a diet coke, the captain had turned the seat belt light on and we had begun our decent. The clouds began to clear and the first of Guatemala's beautiful sights were just outside the window. With a big grin on our faces, Brian and I grabbed out bags, and were through customs in no time. Amongst the crowd of taxi cabs and resort shuttles, Sergio, Buena Vista's Manager stood with a sign. He had already Found Mike and Doug, and in a few minutes we were on our way to the lodge.

The ride from Guatemala City to Iztapa was full of twists and turns, and beautiful scenery. The well stocked cooler kept us busy while telling fishing stories which only fueled the excitement as we neared the coast. After a few more zigs and zags and passing over a bridge, we were through the gates at Buena Vista.





The girls welcomed us with cold drinks, and our bags were taken to our rooms. The rooms were clean, cool, and a perfect place to get some rest before or after a long day of fishing. Bill invited us into the main house for lunch where the conversation quickly turned to the details of the previous guests fishing adventures. For a late season trip, the fishing had been outstanding, with a good number of Sailfish, and a few Blue Marlin. Knowing my propensity for hunting nearly anything, Bill didn't forget to mention an activity that is rarely mentioned in most fishing reports. It turns out that Iguana hunting is another way to pass the time while in Guatemala. My excitement was obvious, and after a quick conversation with one of the staff, my first Iguana hunt was booked.



It wasn't long before Doug, Brian, and I were boarding a panga with yet another well stocked cooler, and a 12 ga shotgun. We cruised up river through the mangroves with eyes to the trees the entire way. The thick canopy of leaves did a good job of hiding the iguanas from view. The mate called out to the captain to stop, and within seconds I was to my feet and letting loose on the first Iguana of the trip. The mate made a quick retrieve of a beautiful medium sized Iguana. Within an hour we had run out of shells, nearly emptied the cooler, and returned to the lodge with 5 Iguanas to join us for dinner.







The hammocks under the new thatched pavilion turned out to be the perfect place to enjoy the surrounding scenery and relax before dinner. I should have known better than to pick a hammock that was down wind from the grill. As soon as the smells of shrimp, iguana, and dorado made it my way, my nap was over and it was time for the first of many mouthwatering dinners.



During dinner we watched the full moon work its way across the sky, and decided that it would be best to not rush to the fishing grounds in the morning. After a few scoops of ice cream, the well equipped bar and fantastic service of the staff kept us all company until the wee hours of the night. I don't know who flinched first, but I'm sure glad they did. It had been a busy day and my cool and comfortable bed was just what the doctor ordered.

With a stern knock on the door, and a “Buenos Dias” the first day of fishing was upon us. A great breakfast started the day, as the staff loaded the Monkey Business for battle. We waited for the tide to change and made the short ride to the inlet. After carefully timing the swell in the inlet, the captain headed to the deep. Our run was right around 30 miles and it wasn't long before we had fish in the spread. I was trying my best to relax on the bow and eat some fruit or a sandwich or three, when turbo Spanish broke out behind the helm. I figured it was best for be to stay out of the way and was lucky enough to watch the whole scene unfold. Brian got ready to feed the fish that had come up on the left teaser, a chain of dolphin colored Squidnation squids. The Captain snatched the teaser right as the ballyhoo was in place and the first fish of the trip was hooked up and dancing away from the boat. Brian was quickly reminded that the Pacific Sailfish are a bit stronger than their Atlantic cousins, and that handing off a hooked up fish is a lot easier than cranking. The fish went deep and we watched a piece of floss on the mainline go on and off the reel at least a dozen times. After some tricky boat work the mate took the leader in hand, removed the hook, and our first fish had been cleanly released.





For the next few hours we picked away at the Sailfish, catching 2 more and missing at least 2. Brian was the last to catch a fish for the day, and since it was behaving, both he and Doug took a swim in the deep blue water to see the fish off safely.


It was the perfect end to a nice relaxing day on the water, and soon after we were headed back to the comfort of the hammocks.

We were greeted at the dock in typical Buena Vista fashion with a tray of cold drinks and smiling faces. Some refreshing showers were next on tap, and before I knew it we were back at the bar enjoying more beverages and plenty of great food. When Carolina emerged from the kitchen with one of the best cakes I've ever seen, I know more than one of us offered to bring her back to the US as a personal chef. By the end of desert, I had somehow booked myself another morning Iguana hunt, and we spent the rest of the evening sharing pictures from the day's fishing, and introducing all sorts of juices and clear liquids to our lips.

With a fresh box of shotgun shells, and yet another great breakfast in my stomach, I set off on the second iguana hunt bright and early. We explored a different area and quickly put a few of our targets in the boat. The river was full of local fishermen running nets and crab traps, and everyone was entertained by the “grande gringo” shooting like a mad man. Before I knew it, it was time to return to the lodge to climb aboard the Monkey Business for the second day of fishing. As we rode inside the beach I couldn't help but notice the dark skies offshore, and the increasing winds. The captain of the Monkey Business had talked to some friends offshore, and the seas were too bad for fishing, and getting worse. Shucks, we'd have to do a lay day surrounded by beautiful sights, sounds, and food.

It wasn't long before Carolina was back in action and the staff was setting up the lunch table under the pavilion. Out came a tray of lasagna that immediately induced a nap for nearly everyone in the group. I retired to my favorite hammock, and once again drifted away into a relaxing “Buena Vista nap”.

Night three brought about more of the same great food, great stories, a few laughs, and our very first Guatemalan tarantula hunt. It turns out the yard has a few subterranean nocturnal residents that like chewing gum. We made sure we had plenty of fluids before the hunt, and rigged up our own tarantula “rods” with some mono and a piece of gum rolled in sugar. Our guide found the first hole and we hooked up in no time, well we thought so. It turns out the sancocho is just as prevalent with rookie tarantula hunters as it is with new bill fishermen. The rains finally sent the group to bed in preparation for another days adventures.

The rains of the previous day brought a clear and crisp morning. The volcanoes to the north were clearly in view, and a decent breeze was blowing out of the south east.


We cleared the inlet and were met with some sloppy seas.


The Monkey Business dealt with the head sea nicely, and we put lines in only 15 miles from home. The Volcanoes were still in view as the first fish was hooked and jumped off into the distance. The sloppy seas made the boat work a little more interesting, and the spray felt great in the hot air. Brian led off again and we were quickly one for one. We continued to work the area and were up to 3 for 4 in no time. I was finally up to bat when the next fish came in the spread, and thanks to the mate's quick hands, the bait was down the Sailfishes throat and all I had to do was turn the drag up and crank. We had the release in no time and the group agreed that we'd had enough of the sloppy seas. We had each caught a fish and ended the day four for six and more than pleased.

We made it to the lodge in no time, and the pattern of great food, great drinks, and great company continued. The night passed in no time, and before we knew it was time to get in the shuttle and head to the airport. Our time at the Lodge was full of perfect hospitality and great accommodations. Another beautiful morning allowed great views during the ride to the city, and a few stops for photographs of the volcanoes as a few of them let off a little bit of steam.

Mike was first to head home, and Sergio was kind enough to give us a tour of Guatemala city, and take us by a local market to pick up some local gifts for those back home. Yep, I'll admit it, I bought myself a hammock, and I will continue to use it as I impatiently await my next trip south.

If you're looking for a relaxing vacation that’s full of fantastic food, great company, and the perfect place to wet a line, keep Buena Vista Sportfishing at the top of the list.

[Capt Josh]

Nice work boys...that iguana looks finger lickin goooooood. Awesome shots!

[BuenaVista Sportfishing Lodge]

Great Pics! Thanks for the great report David!
Were you shooting number 6 or 7 1/2 shot? I am thinking you must have shot some of each as there was only one box of number 6 s left when I left. Does the dove shot work as well as the 6 s?
Jody

[Dave Sikorski]

Thanks Jody.

I used 7.5's the first day, and both 7.5 and 4 the second day.

Any shot works well, but 6 or 7.5's are probably your best bet. A gun w/ a longer barrel and a mod or full choke would be nice too.

-D

[clt_capt]

Really great report. Thanks Dave

[B Cartlidge]

Great Pics! Thanks for the great report David!
Were you shooting number 6 or 7 1/2 shot? I am thinking you must have shot some of each as there was only one box of number 6 s left when I left. Does the dove shot work as well as the 6 s?
Jody

Jody, you have quite the setup down there. Everything was phenomenal from start to finish. I never imagined being catered to like that. It was pretty special to be on the other end of the catering for once given that I am a mate.

It was a great trip that I will never forget and I hope to get back to Buena Vista ASAP. Going into the trip, I had only heard incredible things about your operation from people like Tony Ludovico and now I can vouch for what everyone else told me about the lodge. First class operation all the way.

It's a great place and we had a classy group of guys from SFC which made the trip even more enjoyable.

Once again, thanks for everything.

BTW Dave, pretty work on the article...you gotta get up to LBI at some point this season. I just got word from my Cap that we are overnighting Sunday into Monday. Pretty stoked