FAQ

Do you offer saltwater fly fishing for sailfish & Marlin?

Yes, we love to catch sailfish & marlin on the fly and offer live training using the fly fishing bait and switch tec;unique.  We find that anglers who catch their first billfish on the fly, are addicted for life. Anglers can use our professional fly-fishing gear or bring their own.

What fish do you primarily target in Guatemala

We target sailfish, blue marlin, striped marlin, black marlin, yellowfin tuna, and dorado (mahi-mahi) on our offshore deep sea fishing charters.  Inshore targets are mostly roosterfish, sierra mackerel, jack crevalle, and red snapper.   Some will tell you that we catch wahoo but realistically that is not true. Wahoo are rarely caught in the Guatemalan Pacific.  

Do Guatemala charter boats release more sailfish that those in Panama & Costia Rica?

Yes, we do have better sailfishing than Costa Rica & Panama..  Guatemala is now the number one destination in the world for the most sailfish releases per day per boat.  Ron Hamlin and a group of Texas anglers holds the IGFA world record for sailfish releases by a single boat in one day.  They released 124 sailfish that spectacular fishing day.  Outdoor magazines such as Sport Fishing Magazine, Salt Water Sportsman and National Geographic have written have reported about the incredible billfishing off the Pacific coast of Guatemala.Yes, we do have better sailfishing than Costa Rica & Panama..  Guatemala is now the number one destination in the world for the most sailfish releases per day per boat.  Ron Hamlin and a group of Texas anglers holds the IGFA world record for sailfish releases by a single boat in one day.  The released 124 sailfish that spectacular fishing day.  Outdoor magazines such as Sport Fishing Magazine, Salt Water Sportsman and National Geographic have written have reported about the incredible billfishing off the Pacific coast of Guatemala.Yes, we do have better sailfishing than Costa Rica & Panama..  Guatemala is now the number one destination in the world for the most sailfish releases per day per boat.  Ron Hamlin and a group of Texas anglers holds the IGFA world record for sailfish releases by a single boat in one day.  The released 124 sailfish that spectacular fishing day.  Outdoor magazines such as Sport Fishing Magazine, Salt Water Sportsman and National Geographic have written have reported about the incredible billfishing off the Pacific coast of Guatemala.

 

Are your clients permitted to bring their own rods, reels, lures, and other sport fishing gear?

Certainly! You can bring any of you own fishing equipment, rods, reels, lures, flies, etc.  Anything you want.  We have state of the art Penn International, Avet, and Shimano rods and reels and teasers and lures proven to produce.    Avid anglers who fish all over the world often bring their gear with them to Guatemala.  Our Avet high-speed reels and custom rods are perfect for our big game fishing in Guatemala, but your tackle and gear is always welcome.  We stress again that it is your trip so you get to do exactly what you want.

Do you offer a free fishing school?

Our Captains and crew make a special effort to give advice and special training to all of our clients who wish to learn how to improved their fishing skills.  They will teach you our proven techniques from beginning to end.  We have something from everyone, whether they be a novice or well-seasoned professional.  Even tournament anglers practice with us before tournaments to hone their skills and to pick up any tips that may be useful in their tournament fishing.  We specialize in teaching fly-fishing as well as conventional skills using the very successful and exciting bait and switch technique.  Unlike many crews, we hope to get every angler to be able to do as much of the activity of fishing as possible (if they desire).  Some will only let the mates hook the fish and pass the rod to the angler.  We think it is a more fulfilling experience when the anglers can do this themselves.   With Mad Mad Marlin, that choice is alway the client’s choice!Our Captains and crew make a special effort to give advice and special training to all of our clients who wish to learn how to improved their fishing skills.  They will teach you our proven techniques from beginning to end.  We have something from everyone, whether they be a novice or well-seasoned professional.  Even tournament anglers practice with us before tournaments to hone their skills and to pick up any tips that may be useful in their tournament fishing.  We specialize in teaching fly-fishing as well as conventional skills using the very successful and exciting bait and switch technique.  Unlike many crews, we hope to get every angler to be able to do as much of the activity of fishing as possible (if they desire).  Some will only let the mates hook the fish and pass the rod to the angler.  We think it is a more fulfilling experience when the anglers can do this themselves.   With Mad Mad Marlin, that choice is alway the client’s choice!

Is the fishing portion the same for Day Charters and the fish & stay all-inclusive packages?

No matter which fishing vacation you choose with Mad Marlin Sport Fishing, the fishing charter portion of your trip is the same.  You get the same crews, boats, gear, rods, reels, lures, and time on the water.  The difference lies in the accommodations, airport pickup and return, and whether or not you choose an all-inclusive package.  We even offer a budget plan where you can even bring your own food and drinks and save money that way if you choose to.  However, the fishing experience is exactly the same on all out packages.  We take great pride in our fishing success and will never cut corners in that area.  In order to have something to offer for anyone’s budget we have chosen to offer choices and options not offered by other companies here.  A budget-minded client can fish with us much cheaper if they do not have to pay for other services that tey neither need or desire.

How many anglers are permitted on trips with Mad Marlin Sport Fishing?

What meals and drinks are provided on the boat?

  • Lunch
  • Snacks
  • Water
  • Beer (Extra sodas may be substituted with advanced notice prior to trip)
  • Sodas
  • Ice

 

Are your anglers allowed to tease and hook the fish themselves?

Absolutely! You can do the hookups. This is YOUR sport fishing vacation and you can participate in as much or as little of the process as you want. Many charter crews forget this and think only about getting a fish to the boat.  We always ask our anglers how they prefer the fishing to go and how much they wish to participate in the process.

Our crew will have even novice sailfish anglers trained in the bait and switch technique in no time.  Some anglers do absolutely everything including hooking, fighting, billing, unhooking and releasing their sailfish, marlin, or dorado (mahi mahi). The choice of the level of participation is always that of our valued clients

What should we bring for our Guatemala fishing trip?

Is it safe to travel to Guatemala?

From the time you are met by our staff upon your arrival at the airport in Guatemala City until your depart for home we see that you are always in a secure environment.   The drive from the airport is on a major four-lane highway and is very secure.  Some sectors of Guatemala city are dangerous very similar to the dangers faced in any major metropolitan city.  Our clients will never be exposed to such areas.  The fishing lodge is located in an extremely safe, secure, affluent area and has superb 24/7 security and highly-screened entry protocols.   Many wealthy Guatemalans have built vacation homes in the same neighborhood as our Mad Marlin the & Big Buoy Lodge.

What airport should I use for my Guatemala fishing trip?

You will fly in to the La Aurora International airport (Guatemala City International Airport) where you will be met by our chauffeur.  Mad Marlin Sport Fishing lodge is approximately 90 miles from the airport.  The drive is quite beautiful. Along the 4 lane highway will see 5 volcanoes in the distance and take in and beautiful Guatemala mountain scenery.  There are many places to eat along the way to the lodge if you are hungry from your travels and arriving late (after dinner).

Are the rooms air conditioned?

Yes, all rooms have cold AC and hot water.

Do you practice catch and release conversation measures?

Yes, we do practice catch and release on sailfish, marlin, and rooster fish.   Conservation is very important to us and has contributed greatly to our spectacular Guatemala fishery.  Other fish such as dorado, tuna, wahoo, & mackerel that are not protected can be kept by the clients.

Do the fish & stay all-inclusive packages include airport pickup and return?

Yes, all-inclusive packages include airport pickup and return.   Our drivers meet you at the airport in Guatemala City and transport you in an air-conditioned van. From the time you arrive until you depart you are in good hands.  If you are hungry when you arrive at the airport just let our driver know and he can stop along the way for some local food and drink if you wish.

Are there fuel surcharges during times of unusually hi fuel prices?

When the marina diesel fuel prices are above $5.00/gallon there is a $150 per fishing day surcharge to help recover a portion of the costs.   This is per boat for the day and is not a per person charge.