Testimonials

Guatemala Contest - By David Sikorski

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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 Captain 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 seatbelt 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 our 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-gauge 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 retrieval 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 five 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 mouth-watering 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 thirty 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 me 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 two more and missing at least two.  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, while 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 day's 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 southeast.


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 fifteen 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 three for four in no time.  I was finally up to bat when the next fish came in the spread.  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, and the pattern of great food, great drinks, and great company continued.  The night passed, and before we knew it, 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 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.














 

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Who is the FURIOSO (FURIOUS)
Today I joined Jeff Ciuba and Kent Lipton.  We went 45 miles west on the Furioso, run by Captain Chino (Rossman Fajardo ) and mate Danilo Fajardo.  We left the duck at 07.30 am and got to the fishing spot around 09:45 am.  Sailfish came fifteen minutes later, and it was hooked by Jeff. 

We had a total of nine sailfish raises and bites and seven releases.  We also had two double bites, but one of these double bites on line cut the other, so we lost the fish. 
At 02:00 pm when we were getting ready to head back, Capt Chino saw a Marlin jumping, and all of us said lets go for it; so we did.  The marlin ate a little bit on one hook, and we lost it.  Although, just a minute after, he went and ate the whole sierra mackarel that was on Kent´s tackle.  After Kent fought with the marlin for about an hour, it wanted to show us who was the FURIOSO (FURIOUS).  Jeff was sitting on the left side of the boat, close to the motor, and the marlin jumped over the motor and jumped in the boat, breaking the back of a bench and also scraping Jeff as he jumped backward.

Jeff is the fastest man I have ever seen jump into the water.

The marlin hard hurt itself when breaking the bench on the way in to the boat, and we did not have another option than to bring it back to the lodge.

This was an excellent day; we were able to run around for two hours, the water was blue, no wind, and no big waves.

January 2010

Often when visiting a fishing spot for the second time, one can be disappointed with either the location or operator not living up to expectations.  As a returning angler to Buena Vista Sportfishing, I am very pleased to say that I was not disappointed in any respect.  Everything I remember about the lodge was the same.  The new 31' Jupiter FURIOSO was a comfortable, well-appointed boat and now with the boats being docked at the Lodge, there are no more trips to and from the Marina.  Captain Marcial showed why he is one of the fleets' top captains, consistently putting me on the fish.  Oh, and yes, the fishing...RED HOT!  The best day saw 16 sails released, closely followed by another twelve sails released. 

Would I recommend Buena Vista Sportfishing to other anglers?  YOU BET!

...And once again, I will return.

Alan Wright

Albuquerque

May 2009

Greetings Monte & Jody,

I hope this email finds you both in good health and spirits.  As usual, I’m fine and doing well. 

Please allow me to apologize for not emailing you both sooner.  I have been back in Iraq for nearly two weeks but I have only recently returned to my normal area of operations where I have my laptop. Upon returning to Iraq , I spent some time working in the Baghdad area. When I returned to the Mosul area, I found over 1,300 work related emails that needed to be opened and evaluated for action.  Finally, I’m at a point where I can devote a bit of time to my personal emails. Aside from immediate family, you two were on top of the list. 

I would again like to thank you both and your wonderful staff for the outstanding fishing adventure. Simply put, the trip exceeded my expectations on many levels. The fishing was excellent, the lodge was beautiful, the food was great, your staff saw to our every need. In addition, meeting you both and getting to talk to you on a daily basis about fishing, your future plans, and about Guatemala , was one of the best parts of the entire trip. Mike and I especially appreciated and enjoyed the half day trip to the city of Antigua . The fact that you were able take us there with absolutely no advance notice demonstrated your flexibility and kindness. Even though we came to fish, that side trip was one of the highlights of our relatively short visit to Guatemala . I would also like you to thank Captain Marcial for me. It’s great to be on a boat where the Captain loves to fish and is very experienced. This wasn’t just a boat ride for him. He lives to catch and release billfish. It doesn’t get better than that. 

I can only speak for myself, but I’m looking forward to returning to Buena Vista Sportfishing Lodge next April. Currently, it’s too early for an exact date, but I will start working on it.

Your friend,
Neal

At last an affordable option for fishing Sail Fish in Guatemala. The Monkey Business is a nice comfortable boat that runs faster than the 40 foot Gin Palaces and you are not sucking diesel fumes all the time that the Captain is aggressively positioning you on the fish. You are fishing the same water, and generally catching as much as the boat next to you that the clients are paying at least twice as much for the privilege. 

The Buenavista lodge is ideally situated on the inland waterway that forms Buenavista Island and the setting is superb. Your every need is taken care of, the food is great, your laundry is done and even put away when you come back from fishing. My host, and owner of the lodge Monte Elswick has a story for every occasion and the staff are very attentive. Hector is there to meet you at the airport and drive you the beautiful 60 miles to the coast. You are met by Monte, shown to your room and then sit by the bar and pool and enjoy the surroundings, until it is time to eat and then retire to a room as good as at any fish camp you will stay in.

Then there is the fishing WOW !!!! on a bad day in Guatemala you will catch more than on a good day in many other Central American destinations. The Captains are as knowledgeable as anywhere else, and work with  you on your technique for the bait and switch fishing.

I WILL RETURN

Thanks to all.  Alan Wright Albuquerque, NM.

Darius Petrauskas, who traveled all the way from Lithuania to fish with Buena Vista Sportfishing (866-699-3277;www.buenavistasportfishing.com), also near Ixtapa. He gives particularly high marks to Capt. Jody Elswick: “Jody and his beautiful wife Suzie are what we appreciated the most and will long remember from this trip,” he writes. “These happy, attentive, always smiling people made our trip a success even before we started fishing!” Petrausaka also notes that the fishing was spectacular, with 23 sailfish landed out of 29 hooked and 33 raised on the first day. A similar number was raised on the second day. “Wonderful lodge, fantastic food, excellent staff. I am glad I found this not so widely advertised operation,” Petrauskas concludes. He gives the cost of his trip as $1,795 US per person/ double occupancy for the three-night/two day fishing package.

March 10, 2009 

Dear Jody,

I just wanted to drop you a letter to thank you for taking such great care of our group last week.  Many of the six of us go on fishing trips together each year, and it is always an adventure.  We have fished in many places all around the world, but none of us had ever been to Guatemala.  I have enjoyed annual fishing trips to Costa Rica since 1989, but I was constantly hearing that the fishing was better in Guatemala so I had to give it a try.

As you know, I spoke with several lodges, clients and captains in Guatemala before deciding to fish with you out of your lodge.  Since I was the group “organizer” for this trip, I wanted to make sure that everything went as expected for my friends.  I received great comments from everyone I spoke with about your operation – and they were right.  The lodge was very spacious, comfortable and clean.  The food and drinks were way beyond our expectations, and the service was phenomenal.  I can’t emphasize enough how important the service was to the success of our trip.  Of course we were there for the world class fishing, but the guys are still talking about the service of your incredible staff.  Please share this letter with all of them because they really do represent you well. 

I am also mailing you a great DVD that my son made from a collection of our pictures.  Some of Susy’s pictures turned out great and I included them in the DVD also.  Keep up the good work. I hope to see you again soon. 

Best wishes,

Jeff Ciuba

I just wanted to let you know what a great time i had at the lodge.The fishing was fantastic and the staff at buena vista were excellent.This was by far the best vacation ive been on.Im also greatful to have been a part of your b-day party which topped the trip off.Im taking your advice im walking slower and with more purpose and ive got a better plan when i get there(guatemala,styling).Im going to try to keep this with me for long as i can thanks again. Bill Dailey  3/10/09

Dear Jodi and Susie,   we had a great time despite four days of difficult fishing by Guatemalan standards..we are very spoiled  anglers having caught many billfish all over the world.. expectations were high but the fish took a siesta, and we were here for that rare occasion.   But, your lodge more than made up for the slower fishing…the staff, food, and rooms were perfect.. the pool was perfect nad everyone’s obvious desire to make us feel at home was always apparent.. fishing is not always catching…it takes time to realize that… we shall return.. thanks, the Sherman boys, jim mcguire and joe maz mustari… special thanks to your newest captain joe riley.. he was the best.. thanks  adios..

Tim and Kim Miller, Edgewater, Maryland, USA, spent 3 days fishing and 1 day touring La Antigua city the second week of February.  The first day out Tim wanted to catch some roosterfish inshore.  We went out about 7 miles to see if we could catch some snapper and grouper.  While trolling we came upon a misplaced sailfish.  Our captain, Marcial, thought it was a shark because it was not where a sail would normally be.  Tim hooked the sailfish and brought it in.  The bill was missing and that probably explains why he was not where he should have been.  Who knows!   

Marcial and the mates were very professional and knew right where the fish were.  We also had a guest captain with us, Joe Riley, from Edgewater, MD.  Joe is famous for his charters in Ocean City, Maryland.  It was our first time meeting Joe but heard from friends that he is pretty famous in Maryland.   

Thursday we went out 35 miles SE for some sails.  We landed 8 dorado out of 10 (we think).  Saturday we headed SW, and we landed 2 out of 4 sailfish (Kim’s was missing part of the bill, Tim’s had a full bill).  We landed about a dozen or so dorado.  Fish for all!!!! 
Everyone at Buena Vista Sportfishing Lodge were spectacular.  We had met Monte Elswick at a Maryland Fishing Show last February and in August Tim made up his mind he wanted to go to Guatemala.  Mike Bailey walked us through making the arrangements.  He answered all our questions and then some.   

Jody and Sussy were spectacular hosts. Very gracious and accommodating.  The lodge staff were wonderful and very attentive.  Sergio, Hector, Isabel (fantastic chef), Susanna.   The best service ever!!!!  It felt like being with family.  We loved the 2 dogs, Milky and Honey and the new bird (not named yet). 

On our tour day we went to La Antigua.   Antigua is a beautiful town and definitely worth the visit.  Very European looking.  Jody and Sussy took us to some furniture stores, a Jade store/museum and the market.  Sussy really knows her shopping!  We ate lunch at an old Monastery made into a restaurant/hotel.  Beautiful.  I could have spent another day there wondering around.  But Tim had more fishing to do! 

Tim & I really enjoyed our time in Iztapa, Guatemala.  Definitely worth coming back (next time to tour more of the country)! Kim

"Deep sea fishing in Guatemala is selected as one of Men's Journal's 100 Greatest Adventures. This tempting slogan has hammered my mind for quite a while. How did I do? Let the numbers tell the true. 35 sailfish released (out of 50 hooked and 60+ raised) in two days of fishing! To be precise, 22 on 1st day and 13 on 2nd. 2 dolphin caught on the first day too. Incredible numbers! The score on the 2nd day could have been bigger, but after spotting a jumping marlin, we spent good 2 hours chasing him. Had a bite, though did not hook him up. Also, on the second day our wives were on the boat, so everything went in much more relaxed atmosphere. I fished with Buena Vista Sportfishing. Two thumbs up for this operation. It is not only the most affordable option to experience deep sea fishing in Guatemala, but the level of the service has exceeded my expectations by far. Excellent property, very well organized schedule, delicious food; boats, tackle, captain and mates - absolutely top class. We were treated not as clients, but simply as family members. They organized sightseeing tours according to our request, and Suzie even accompanied us to Chichicastenango market, what my wife appreciated a lot. She thought she did much better on shopping than me on fishing! :-)
To summarize, I can hardly imagine the place on the planet where deep sea fishing can be so good, and look no further than Buena Vista Sportfishing if you want to experience excellent personalized service at affordable rates. On this trip, besides Chichicatenango, we also visited Tikal ruins, hiked on active volcano Pacaya, visited beautiful lake Atitlan, as well as colonial city Antigua. All sights are much recommended. Here is the link to a photo album: