As we enter the final month of the year with almost 9,000 marlin raised by our 3 main boats combined it’s hard to picture anywhere else the marlin bite can be so good year round. Yes, we are fishing more days now than with more boats than before and the fishing continues to be unreal!
More anglers have enjoyed our feisty 150 to 300 pound striped marlin than any past year. Looking forward to 2020 our bookings so far look to be about 30% more than 2019 thanks to such a strong bite the last few years. However, 2019 has been such an awesome year that we can count with one hand the days we did not raise any marlin.
Here are some interesting statistics for our three 36 foot sportfishers combined: Days no marlin raised were 3 out of San Cristobal Island and 2 days out of Isabela Island out of 477 total days fished. In other words our boats raised marlin 472 days out of 477 days of fishing for marlin if you add up all the charters for the year.
Out of 477 days of fishing we had 413 days of double digit raises per boat. 160 days saw over 50 marlin per day raised per boat and 33 days produced over 100 marlin raises per boat. You can do the math but very few destinations can match this sort of fishing. People talk about Magdalena Bay Mexico and yes there are plenty of marlin there if you like smaller striped marlin. Another great place if you can find a boat is Wanganella Bank off New Zealand but getting there can be complicated.
We know about the best places in the world to fish for striped marlin and we are not afraid to brag about the Galapagos Islands where you don’t have to navigate 300 miles, risk being abducted by narco gangs or need to sleep on a boat. Visit our website www.ecuagringo.com to learn about how easy it is to fish in the Galapagos Islands.
Grander Marlin In Sight?
Isabela Island is fast becoming the new go to destination for giant blue marlin. 2019 has produced several granders in a very short amount of time. In 2020 we have lined up double the amount of charters and days to fish fo giant blue marlin. We are moving up all our tackle to 130# and will be having a camera man along to record all the action.
Isabela Island is a true world class caliber fishery for those who are serious about targeting the apex of the marlin family. Large females come to feed on the endless supply of bonito, tuna and squid that frequent the drops that go 600 to 6,000 and 9,000 feet.
Bottom Fishing Anyone?
With 17,000 square miles of land and water areas you will find almost endless structure to jig and bottom fish. You can fish from 50 to 3000 feet for various species. Most anglers prefer to jig conventionally in under 300 feet catching grouper, bump head wrasse, jacks, tuna, snapper and many other reef fish in these abundant waters.
Most days you don’t have to go very far to find rod bending action. Shallow water bottom fishing is a great way to get junior anglers in the action. Braid in 50# and 80# come in useful to keep the powerful bottom dwellers out of the rocks before they can break you off. We also have electric reels for those who want to try for swords or big grouper in deeper water.
Discover Galapagos: The Alternative To Cruise Lines
Why sleep on a ship or be herded like cattle along with strangers on a cruise when you can see more, enjoy at your own leisure and dine at a different restaurant every night. Yes, the Galapagos Islands are open to anglers and adventure seeking folks who want to experience these amazing wild islands yet sleep on land at night.
Ecuagringo provides complete custom package not only to fish but to explore, snorkel, dive, kayak, hike, enjoy the beaches and much more. Do your activities at your own pace and with your family and friends. You want to come to Galapagos to enjoy and not to be told when you can do it.
As more and more travelers take advantage of the fishing and tours offered on each populated island the cruises become obsolete. Newer lodging is being developed each year and there are plenty of daily tours to choose from to shape your adventure. Our custom packages will give you a much fuller experience while in the Galapagos than you can imagine.
How Far Are The Galapagos? No More Excuses
Many people think the Galapagos are a very long trip to a far off place. From Miami or Fort Lauderdale, Florida a flight is just around 4 hours to get into Guayaquil or Quito cities in Ecuador. The Galapagos Islands are a province of Ecuador located 600 miles West of the coast of mainland Ecuador. The flights from mainland Ecuador are under 2 hours. In reality it may be no more complicated that trying to fly from New York to Los Angeles with a stop somewhere.
By comparison if you go to fish Panama you usually have a layover and connect to a charter flight to get to Southern Panama. Ok so what is keeping you from going to Ecuador and the Galapagos? There are no visa requirements, the country is dollarized meaning US dollars are the currency of the land and most establishments accept credit cards. Ecuador is a friendly country that thrives on tourism.
The land of ceviches, fried fish and Panama hats. Let Ecuagringo customize the vacation of a lifetime for you. Oh, and did we mention it is also located on the Equator, Andes Mountains, Amazon Jungle and many Pacific beaches? South of Colombia and North of Peru you will find Ecuador, home to the Galapagos Islands.
Over 35 Years Years Of Marlin Dreams
The Galapagos Islands have been the waters of some of the most incredible striped marlin, tuna and wahoo fishing as far as I can remember. I was 9 years old on my first trip there in 1983 and can still marveling at the dark blue waters and the amount of fish I saw there.
In the following years a few anglers from the Salinas Yacht Club would go the 600 mile trek from the coast of Ecuador to fish the waters for a few weeks each year. Reports in the late 80’s and early 90’s of 200 – 300 marlin bites a day intrigued me. Forward to 1995, 96 and 97 while I was guiding feral goat hunters on the islands, I would see glimpses of the angling potential.
By 1998 we had started doing some research and the amount of fish such as marlin, tuna, wahoo and bottom fish were unlike anywhere else I had seen. 150 bites from striped marlin, 100 plus bites of tuna, 120 bites of wahoo in as single day were all possible back then and are still possible today.
After fishing North, Central and South America quite extensively with our team there are many places we have enjoyed very good fishing but only one place year after year produces the top fishing that we know of and that is the Galapagos Islands. My goal back then and still is now is to provide the best outfitting possible to the world’s best fishing destination.
Few places on earth hold the amount of marine life, fishing, adventure and are this accessible to get to without flying halfway around the world. If you want to experience in a virtual Jurassic park where you can pursue many species then the Galapagos Islands must be next on your list.
We hope to see you there soon. Until then keep those reels screaming!
Braden Escobar
Founder of Ecuagringo
Contact Ecuagringo to plan your marlin fishing charter vacation!
