The Guatemala Experience

GUATEMALAN BILLFISHING ADVENTURES

Explore Guatemala.

Serious billfishing. Private from door to dock.

Fly fishing aboard Decisive in Guatemala, photographed by Mark Hatter — PHOTOGRAPHY © MARK HATTER

THE CLASSIC GBA TRIP

Three Days on the Water.
Four Nights Completely Private.

Sailfish are the headline, with blue marlin also part of Guatemala's extraordinary Pacific fishery.

Fish aboard our 40-foot Decisive. Stay privately at Billfish Inn. Enjoy meals, transfers and personal hospitality, all coordinated by one experienced GBA team.

EXPLORE PACKAGES & LIVE AVAILABILITY →

PRIVATE GROUPS • PERSONAL HOSTING • EST. 2005

The Art of the Encounter

THE ART OF THE ENCOUNTER

Slow, Slow…
Then Fast.

In Guatemala, fly fishing for sailfish is a sequence shared between angler and crew. The fish is raised, teased into position and presented with the fly. Timing matters. So does preparation.

Fly-fishing action in the cockpit of Decisive offshore Guatemala — THE CAST • PHOTOGRAPHY: MARK HATTER

BEFORE THE CAST

Prepared for the Moment.

Leaders, flies, teaser placement and communication are considered well before a fish appears. When an opportunity develops, the crew and angler need to move as one.

Careful leader rigging for offshore fly fishing — 01 / THE PREPARATION

Offshore fly-fishing reel and fly detail photographed by Mark Hatter — 02 / THE EQUIPMENT

Underwater sailfish taking a fly in the blue Pacific waters of Guatemala — THE EAT • PHOTOGRAPHY: MARK HATTER

A Few Seconds.
Years of Experience.

It is the combination of angler, crew and preparation that makes the fly-fishing encounter so rewarding.

The Release

03 / THE RELEASE

The Moment.
The Responsibility.

The encounter is unforgettable. The release is part of what makes it meaningful.

Sailfish jumping clear of the water during a fly-fishing encounter in Guatemala — THE FIGHT • PHOTOGRAPHY: MARK HATTER

RESPECT FOR THE FISHERY

The Best Moments
Stay With You.

At GBA, billfish are caught and released. From the first sight of a sailfish behind the teasers to the moment it swims away, the crew works with purpose and respect for the fish.

Crew handling a sailfish alongside the boat before release — BOAT-SIDE MOMENTS • PHOTOGRAPHY: MARK HATTER

BENEATH THE SURFACE

Sailfish silhouette illuminated by sunlight beneath the Pacific Ocean

UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY © MARK HATTER

The Fish Returns
to the Ocean.

What remains is the experience: the people, the teamwork, the anticipation and the memories made offshore.

Adventure With Purpose.

The GBA Standard

04 / THE GBA STANDARD

Built Around
the Fishing.

A capable boat. Experienced people. Everything prepared with a purpose.

Decisive, the 40-foot Gamefisherman, underway in Guatemala — DECISIVE / GUATEMALA

THE PLATFORM

Meet Decisive.

Our 40-foot Gamefisherman is equipped and maintained for serious days offshore, with the space, tackle and crew coordination that billfishing demands.

But the boat is only part of the story. Preparation starts before the lines go out, and every person aboard has a role in making the most of each opportunity.

Prepared fly-fishing materials and tackle aboard Decisive, photographed by Mark Hatter — Preparation in the details / Photography: Mark Hatter

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE EXPERIENCE

Experience Is Something
You Bring Aboard.

Capt. Brad Philipps coaching an angler aboard Decisive

Capt. Brad Philipps brings decades of experience in Guatemala. From working the teasers to coaching an angler through an encounter, the emphasis is on teamwork, sound decisions and the details that matter.

Across the GBA season, our experienced crew carries that same commitment to preparation and personal attention onto the water.

Prepared Properly.
Every Day.

The GBA Standard is built around preparation, consistency, people and respect.

Replacing your backing and fly line?

05 / THE PRIVATE EXPERIENCE

Your Place
on the Pacific.

A private villa. Your own group. Everything ready when you return from the water.

Swimming pool and tropical surroundings at the private Billfish Inn in Guatemala — BILLFISH INN / PACIFIC GUATEMALA

PRIVATE HOSPITALITY

The Fishing Is Offshore.
The Experience Continues Here.

Billfish Inn is GBA's private base on Guatemala's Pacific coast. No unrelated groups sharing the experience. Just your party, your schedule and a place to enjoy the time between fishing days.

Return from the marina, unwind by the pool and enjoy meals prepared for your group. The hospitality is personal, relaxed and coordinated around your time on the water.

Poolside gazebo and outdoor relaxation area at Billfish Inn — THE SPACES / RELAX

Comfortable guest accommodation inside the private Billfish Inn — THE ROOMS / REST

AROUND THE TABLE

Good Fishing.
Good Company.

After the day's fishing, the conversation moves to the table. Freshly prepared meals, time with your group and an easy evening before the next day offshore.

Guests enjoying a private dinner at Billfish Inn — PRIVATE DINING / BILLFISH INN

Hosted personally.
From morning to evening.

All Billfish are Catch & Release!

06 / THE SECOND CHAPTER

From the Pacific
to Antigua.

The fishing may be over. Your Guatemala experience doesn't have to be.

ANTIGUA GUATEMALA

Another Side
of Guatemala.

After days offshore, Antigua offers a change of pace. Cobblestone streets, historic architecture, restaurants and volcano views make it a natural extension of your fishing trip.

Spend time discovering the old city or simply enjoy a quieter day. GBA can coordinate the transfer from the coast and help arrange your stay.

The historic Santa Catalina Arch and cobblestone street in Antigua Guatemala — THE OLD CITY / ANTIGUA GUATEMALA

YOUR PRIVATE HOME IN ANTIGUA

Casa Philipps.

A private place to stay in Antigua, with personal hospitality, comfortable accommodation and a setting designed for spending time together.

Enjoy breakfast, explore the city at your own pace and take in the volcano views. It's a different side of Guatemala, connected through the same GBA team.

Casa Philipps terrace with views towards Guatemala's volcanoes — CASA PHILIPPS / ANTIGUA GUATEMALA

SPACES TO UNWIND

Guest suite at Casa Philipps in Antigua Guatemala — PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION

Illuminated private pool at Casa Philipps in Antigua Guatemala — EVENINGS AT CASA PHILIPPS

Two Distinct Experiences.
One Guatemala Journey.

Begin with serious billfishing on the Pacific. Add Antigua and Casa Philipps to complete your stay.

EXPLORE PACKAGES & AVAILABILITY →

Your Guatemala Adventure

07 / YOUR GUATEMALA ADVENTURE

The Next Story
Could Be Yours.

Choose your dates. Bring your people. We'll take care of the experience.

A sailfish swimming in the Pacific waters of Guatemala, photographed by Mark Hatter — PHOTOGRAPHY © MARK HATTER

PLAN YOUR GBA EXPERIENCE

Your Boat.
Your Group.
Your Guatemala.

Explore our private-group fishing packages, compare trip lengths and review available dates. From the first enquiry to your last evening in Guatemala, GBA coordinates the experience.

Begin with the Classic GBA Trip — three fishing days and four nights at Billfish Inn — or choose a longer stay. Antigua and Casa Philipps can be added to your journey.

VIEW LIVE AVAILABILITY → EXPLORE PACKAGES & PRICING →

PRIVATE-GROUP PACKAGES • PUBLISHED PRICING • LIVE DATES

Adventure With Purpose.

GUATEMALAN BILLFISHING ADVENTURES

Established 2005 • Pacific Guatemala

BOAT CHARTER INCLUDES

What’s included on The Boat trip?

Hot lunches cooked aboard the boat
Beer and cocktails
Drinks – water, Gatorade, soft drinks
Snacks
All tackle
All bait
Flies

We recommend that fly-fishermen bring additional Cam Sigler Popper Flies (pink).

Boat crew tips are not included.

Sweet Ride!

Big blue marlin

Colorful Sailfish

Flat seas

Tease, tease, tease!

Slammer dorado!

3 Marlin in 1 Day!

Marina Pez Vela - Guatemala!

Bill-Boyce-marina- Fishing

Blue Marlin!

Fly Tackle

Plan with Confidence

Planning with Capt. Brad — FAQs

One group at a time. Here’s how we structure truly great trips.

Minimum: 5 full fishing days. Ideal: block 7–9 full days so you can rest when needed and still fish hard on the best windows.

Rhythm that works: fish 2–3 days, take a rest/excursion day (many guests do Antigua Guatemala), then fish again. It keeps the crew fresh and adapts to the bite.

Tip: add a buffer day on arrival and departure for travel recovery and flexibility.

November typically sees a stronger, more consistent bite (Oct–Dec is prime). February can still be very good, but expect the possibility of a rough day or two.

The boat DECISIVE is fully equipped for fly, but if you prefer your own: bring at least a 13–14 wt (Brad often uses 15–16 wt).

Rigging: we’ll handle it on site. It’s actually better to arrive with reel unrigged so we can walk you through our setup.

Flies: bring a few unrigged Cam Sigler popper billfish flies (pink).

More anglers and more days improve per-person value. For example, 5 anglers over 5 days is notably better value than fewer anglers for the same duration.

We host one private group at a time with exclusive-use standards.
Ask us to run numbers for your exact headcount and dates.

Block your dates first on the live calendar (aim for 7–9 days if you can).
We’ll align the fish/rest rhythm once you’re here.
Add Antigua/Casa Philipps or extras to one updated invoice after dates are secured.

Yes — standing on the bridge gives a fantastic view of fish entering the spread and the bait-and-switch unfold. We’ll cue you for the eat.

Questions on your exact dates or headcount? Email cindy@guatbilladv.com and we’ll shape the perfect plan.

Q&A HUB

Expert Guidance, Straight from the Crew

Explore Guatemala.

Three Days on the Water.
Four Nights Completely Private.