Fellow anglers,
We are pleased to inform you that what we believed to be a potential for grander marlin for a long time will soon be a reality! Ecuagringo is the founder and longest running operator of big game fishing in the Galapagos Islands. We started in Santa Cruz, Island in 1999, then opened San Cristobal in 2006 and now will be operating on a limited demand basis in Isabela Island.
Isabela Island has produced some of the biggest blue and black marlin caught in the Galapagos. Native artisanal fisherman Oscar Intriago has become a local legend of sorts with large blue and black marlin ranging from 700 to 1400 lbs that he has weighed.
All caught from his skiff! The best seas to fish Isabela are January to April but this year we are experiencing 74 F water in July. Isabela Island with drop offs that go from 600 to 6000 feet less than 8 miles from port, a FAD buoy 14 miles from port and some incredible inshore wahoo and tuna bites just 5 miles from port makes it an incredible place to fish.
The daytime swordfishing has promise as Intriago has caught swordfish with dead baits up to 700# and claims he has seen bigger. A fishing trip to Isabela Island should be a minimum of 4 days and 5 days or more is recommended to maximize your shots at big marlin and other fish.
Galapagos Islands
Isabela Island:
July 20, 2018– On The Hook with the Escobar family travelled for a few days vacation to Isabela Island but stoped on the way at Hancock Bank. We caught several yellowfin tuna, wahoo and bonito. Junior angler Franco Escobar caught his first tuna. Guema Rea caught her first wahoo of about 50#. It was spectacular rod bending for 2 hours of action and fun before picking up to continue navigating to Isabela Island.
July 22, 2018– On The Hook with Captain Gustavo Hernandez and Braden Escobar set out to fish the FAD buoy 14 miles from port. We arrived 9:00 and fished until about 12:30. We raised a nice black that came three times into the spread and did not eat. At 12:00 we raised and lost after a bit of head shaking by the beast; a blue marlin about 700#. A few mahi mahi and tuna also made for good sashimi and ceviche. We then headed for an area about 8 miles out of port to try for bottom swordfish and caught on the second drop an oilfish of 89 lbs.
Ecuador
Manta:
July 23, 2018– Panga Thomas reported 2/5 on blue marlin with one fish over 500#. Panga Mazinger went 1/3 on blue marlin and 0/1 on striped marlin. Sea conditions were excellent with a current pushing South.
Folks we will have more reports and a newsletter soon to follow. Ecuagringo is working to develop our newer destinations Cabo Blanco/Peru and Isabela Island/Galapagos. We will soon be releasing more information on our websites www.ecuagringo.com and www.marlinfishinggalapagos.com. Our Galapagos 2019 season is 80% sold out so if you want to fish the best marlin waters in the world then you need to contact us today!
