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Guatemalan Billfishing Adventures

   

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Conventional offshore billfishing with the Decisive crew in Guatemala
GUATEMALAN BILLFISHING ADVENTURES
Explore
Guatemala.

Serious billfishing.
Prepared properly.
Hosted personally.

Conventional and fly fishing aboard Decisive. Private hospitality at Billfish Inn, with Antigua as an optional extension.

ADVENTURE WITH PURPOSE  •  EST. 2005

THE GUATEMALA EXPERIENCE

The Pacific Fishery.

Sailfish, blue marlin and extraordinary days offshore. Conventional and fly fishing aboard Decisive, supported by an experienced crew who understands the opportunity in these waters.

VIEW FULL GALLERY   ↗

Discover the encounters, the people and the moments that make every trip different.

× ‹ Marlin action offshore ›

01 / 09

× ‹ Marlin jumping ›

02 / 09

× ‹ Marlin splashing on the surface ›

03 / 09

× ‹ Sailfish jumping ›

04 / 09

× ‹ Anglers aboard Decisive ›

05 / 09

× ‹ Guests celebrating a release ›

06 / 09

× ‹ Guests and memorable moments offshore ›

07 / 09

× ‹ Fishing equipment and guests aboard ›

08 / 09

× ‹ Guest enjoying a day on the water ›

09 / 09

02  /  THE GBA FLAGSHIP

Meet Decisive-Guatemala.

40ft of purpose-built sportfishing. Decades of experience behind every detail.

GBA flagship Decisive, 40-foot Gamefisherman, underway in Guatemala

BUILT FOR GUATEMALA'S BILLFISHING

A Serious Fishing Boat.
An Exceptional Experience.

At the heart of Guatemalan Billfishing Adventures is Decisive, our 40-foot Gamefisherman. Seasonally refitted, carefully maintained and equipped for the demands of Guatemala's Pacific fishery, she is the foundation of our offshore experience.

Twin diesel power, an air-conditioned salon, a highly efficient teak cockpit and premium conventional and fly-fishing tackle support a crew whose preparation, coordination and attention to detail define the GBA Standard.

40 FT Gamefisherman
Twin 450 HP Cummins Diesels
Conventional
& Fly
Premium Tackle
EXPLORE OUR FLAGSHIP   →

DECISIVE & THE GBA STANDARD

The Bite May Be Unpredictable.
The Preparation Should Not Be.

Aboard our 40-foot Decisive, experience shows in the details: the tackle, the readiness of the crew and the decisions made throughout the fishing day. Capt. Brad Philipps personally captains selected dates; the wider GBA team carries the same commitment to preparation and personal service.

VIEW FULL GALLERY   ↗

Preparation, experienced judgment and a crew that works together. The standard is built before the first fish appears.

EXPLORE PACKAGES & AVAILABILITY →
× ‹ Decisive underway ›

01 / 07

× ‹ Capt. Brad at the helm ›

02 / 07

× ‹ Rigging tackle ›

03 / 07

× ‹ Billfish release alongside the boat ›

04 / 07

× ‹ Fishing equipment prepared for the day ›

05 / 07

× ‹ Fishing reel detail ›

06 / 07

× ‹ Angler casting from Decisive ›

07 / 07

CAPT. BRAD PHILIPPS

Some Fishing Trips
Are Planned Around
the Captain.

After 25 seasons fishing Guatemala, Capt. Brad Philipps brings an experienced eye, a deliberate approach and a lifetime of attention to what happens behind the boat. His personally captained dates are a distinct part of the GBA experience.

Capt. Brad Philipps aboard Decisive

EXPERIENCE IN ACTION

Knowing What to Look For. Knowing When to Act.

Billfishing demands more than finding fish. It takes observation, timing, communication and the ability to make the right adjustment when an opportunity develops.

Brad's approach combines careful preparation, active coaching and an understanding of how billfish respond to the boat, teasers and presentations.

The aim is to put anglers in the best position to make the most of each encounter, whether using conventional tackle or fishing on the fly.

THE APPROACH

The Details Behind the Encounter.

Raise. Tease. Present. Release. Every stage requires attention, and every angler benefits from a crew that knows how to work together.

01 / THE RAISE
Reading the Fish.

Working the teasers, recognizing a fish's behaviour and adjusting the boat's presentation are central to creating an opportunity.

02 / THE PRESENTATION
Coaching the Angler.

Bait-and-switch techniques, timing, tackle preparation and clear instruction help anglers respond when the moment comes. The approach adapts to conventional and fly-fishing methods.

03 / THE RELEASE
Finishing Properly.

The encounter does not end when the fish reaches the boat. Crew coordination and responsible release practices are essential parts of the GBA approach.

RESPECT FOR THE FISHERY

The Moment.
The Responsibility.

The encounter is unforgettable. The release is part of what makes it meaningful. At GBA, respect for billfish is woven into the preparation, the fight and the work at the side of the boat.

Adventure With Purpose.

LIMITED PERSONALLY CAPTAINED SEASON

Three Months a Year.
A Trip Worth Planning For.

Plan Ahead for Capt. Brad's Dates.

Brad personally captains trips during a limited approximately three-month season in Guatemala, generally from October into early January.

Many guests plan their fishing calendars well in advance. We welcome reservations a year ahead, giving groups the opportunity to choose preferred dates and organize their Guatemala experience around Brad's time aboard Decisive.

Outside his personally captained dates, GBA continues with its experienced local crew and the wider GBA Standard.

Capt. Brad's dates are limited and subject to confirmation. Early enquiries are welcome for groups planning ahead.

FLY FISHING FOR BILLFISH

Slow, Slow…
Then Fast.

A billfish raised behind the teasers. A carefully timed presentation. A cast made in a matter of seconds. Fly fishing for billfish is an extraordinary collaboration between angler and crew.

Some guests dedicate their trip to the fly. Others combine fly fishing with conventional billfishing during their Guatemala adventure. We can help plan the approach around your experience, interests and available fishing days.

VIEW FULL FLY FISHING GALLERY   ↗
One Destination.
More Than One Way to Fish.

Leaders, flies, teaser placement and communication are considered long before a fish appears. The opportunity may unfold in seconds, but the preparation begins much earlier.

Whether you are an experienced fly angler or looking to explore a new way of targeting billfish, tell us what you have in mind. We'll discuss the best way to incorporate it into your trip.

ENQUIRE ABOUT FLY FISHING →
× ‹ Fly angler casting from Decisive ›

01 / 09

× ‹ Fly fishing action in the cockpit ›

02 / 09

× ‹ Preparing leaders for offshore fly fishing ›

03 / 09

× ‹ Offshore fly fishing reel and line ›

04 / 09

× ‹ Billfish taking a fly underwater ›

05 / 09

× ‹ Sailfish jumping offshore ›

06 / 09

× ‹ Fly fishing tackle and prepared materials ›

07 / 09

× ‹ Sailfish below the ocean surface ›

08 / 09

× ‹ Billfish alongside Decisive during release ›

09 / 09

05 / BILLFISH INN · THE PRIVATE EXPERIENCE

Your Own Place
on the Pacific.

The fishing is offshore. The experience continues here. Billfish Inn is your private coastal base, arranged around your group and your days aboard Decisive.

Morning coffee, breakfast before departure, afternoons beside the pool and evenings gathered around the table. Everything thoughtfully coordinated, with no unrelated groups sharing your stay.

LIFE AT THE INN

The Moments Between
Fishing Days.

Breakfast, evenings around the table and the celebrations that become part of the trip.

Sunrise Breakfast

A morning at Billfish Inn.

Alfresco Dinner

Evenings around the table.

Special Celebrations

Moments worth remembering.

PRIVATE FROM DOOR TO DOCK

Fishing Days Planned Properly.
Evenings Entirely Your Own.

Four guest bedrooms, a private pool, an open-air gazebo, meals prepared for your party and the familiar faces of the GBA hospitality team.

06 / THE ANTIGUA EXTENSION

OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL NIGHT

From the Pacific
to Antigua.

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

VIEW CASA PHILIPPS GALLERY ↗

Stay a Little Longer.

Extend your fishing adventure with a private stay at Casa Philipps, in the heart of Antigua Guatemala. Wake to the volcanoes, enjoy breakfast on the terrace and discover the Old City with your private driver and guide.

Optional extension quoted separately. Breakfast and arranged sightseeing are included in the applicable extension package; lunches, dinners, gratuities, applicable taxes and personal expenses are additional.

08 / Plan Your Time Offshore

Your Days on the Water.

Different seasons. Different ways to make the most of Guatemala. Choose the fishing experience that suits your group, then select two, three or four days offshore. The boat, the people and the preparation remain distinctly GBA.

01 / Selected Dates · October to Early January

With Capt. Brad Philipps.

Personally captained dates on Decisive. An opportunity to fish with Brad during his limited Guatemala season, supported by the full GBA team and private hospitality at Billfish Inn.

02 / Decisive Season · January to April

The Decisive Experience.

The 40-foot Gamefisherman, our experienced GBA crew and a private stay at Billfish Inn. Everything arranged around your party, from arrival through your final fishing day.

03 / Seasonal Advantage · May to June

Summer on Decisive.

The same commitment to preparation and personal service, with seasonal package pricing. More room to plan your own rhythm offshore.

07 / YOUR GUATEMALA ADVENTURE

The Next Story
Could Be Yours.

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

Sailfish jumping in Guatemala's Pacific waters

PLAN YOUR GBA EXPERIENCE

Your Boat. Your Group.
Your Guatemala.

Choose your fishing days, explore our private-group packages and find dates that work for your group. From your arrival in Guatemala to your last evening at Billfish Inn, every detail is personally coordinated.

Guests aboard the Guatemala Decisive celebrating a billfish release

THE DECISIVE GUATEMALA LOOKBOOK

More Than
a Fishing Trip.

Explore 34 pages of original Guatemala photography. The fishery, Decisive, the people behind the experience, Billfish Inn and the extended journey to Antigua Guatemala and Casa Philipps.

VIEW & DOWNLOAD LOOKBOOK →