subject: Sportfishing In Central America [print this page] Certainly there are numerous fantastic sportfishing lodges in Central America varying between from Mexico in the North to Panama in the South. They all benefit from strong, deep water currents that stretch along the Pacific coast and reaching as close in as 2 miles from the port of Quetzal in Guatemala. As well with the strong currents come large schools of baitfish followed closely by predatory fish such as sailfish, Marlin and Dorado which feed pretty much persistently all the way through the year.
Some desired destinations are more widely recognized than others for particular species of fish. For instance Guatemala has emerged as world renowned for massive numbers of sailfish that may be raised each day. They currently hold the world record for having raised over 140 sailfish in one day on one boat. While there are also good numbers of Marlin to be caught in Guatemala, undoubtedly the best-known location in Central America for catching blue Marlin is Tropic Star lodge in Panama.
All of the sportfishing destinations benefit from very good fishing conditions and whether in the dry season which starts in October and keeps on through May. This is one of the major reasons why they have emerged as the destinations of choice for anglers wanting to catch large numbers of billfish and also leave from the frigid winters in North America and Europe (not to mention Canada !!). The lodges that accommodate these anglers are well-established and while they may not be extravagant, they do have first class facilities and well-trained workers. Most notably, the boats, crews and captains have become experts at raising billfish and making sure that the visiting anglers, whether they are experienced fly fishermen or novices at conventional bill fishing, complete their quest for landing a sailfish or blue Marlin during their stay.
Notably the sportfishing destinations have become easier to get access to in recent years with much new infrastructure being engineered and finished in Central America. Guatemala has just finished a redevelopment of the capital city Airport, with new terminal buildings, parking and a new runway under construction. Panama City being also a financial centre in Central America naturally has an excellent infrastructure with modern communications and transport systems. Anglers however wishing to access the blue Marlin fishing at the lodges such as Tropic Star have to leave this behind and take a small airplane transfer to the coast. In Guatemala after landing at the new and modern airport, transferred to the coast is via a four-lane highway and takes just about an hour and a half.
Sandwiched between Guatemala and Panama is Costa Rica which is well known as and ecotourist destination and also for some excellent bill fishing on the Pacific coast. Transport to the fishing lodges of Costa Rica are usually accommodated also by small plane transfer as the intercoastal road system is still being modernized and so transferred by road can be a little nerve-racking and take quite a long time.
Exactly where you choose for your sport fishing trip in Central America, you will not be let down as the prolific bill fishing has become well known all along the Pacific coast and has become easily accessible for anglers worldwide. A typical fishing trip to Guatemala or Panama is for four nights and three days of offshore fishing, which is usually sufficient to provide an excellent experience and the opportunity for all of the anglers to bring multiple sailfish and possibly Marlin to the boat.
The busiest season at all of the lodges along the Pacific coast of Central America is January and February, although in recent years some of the best fishing and whether has actually been earlier and later in the season.
