25,000th Billfish

Fishing Captain Releases his 25,000th Billfish

Rick Hazlewood

Think catching one marlin or sailfish is a big deal? How about being with someone who has caught and released 25,000? Sportfishing Capt. Ron Hamlin completed the feat in April 2008.



Hamlin, a veteran sportfishing captain, was recently named the top-tagging captain in the Pacific by the Billfish Foundation for an unprecedented 10th year in a row. He works out of the Pacific Fins Resort in Guatemala on the charter boat Captain Hook and has been instrumental in training other captains at the resort who are nearly as prolific as Mr. Hamlin.

Hamlin credits the incredible Guatemalan fishery as one of the keys to his success. "Let me put it this way," Hamlin explains. "It took me 35 years to catch 3,000. The last 22,000 I've caught during my 14 years in Guatemala." Averaging as many as 2,500 billfish a year (2,809 in 2006), Hamlin says, "You can't do this anywhere but Guatemala." And Hamlin should know. He's fished all over the world, including Florida, Venezuela and St. Thomas.
Hamlin was also instrumental in introducing circle hooks to billfishing as part of the catch and release movement. Circle hooks rarely end up killing billfish, so they can be released for future generations.

In fact, Hamlin was recognized by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association as one the Year 2000's Seven Heroes of the Environment. Other recipients that year included Al Gore for global warming. He is one of fishing's most honored conservationists, having been recognized by both the Billfish Foundation and IGFA.

Capt. Hamlin, now 64 years old, fishes almost every day out of the Pacific Fins Resort on Guatemalan's Pacific Coast. He has fished with thousands of guests, many of who return year after year.

"The fishery is just so amazing down here, and it's really easy for people to get here," says Hamlin. "Many people think it's going to be roughing it, but we have one of the very latest sportfishing fleets in the world, and certainly in Central America. It's only a two-hour flight from Miami or Houston. We pick up our guests at the airport with an English-speaking guide and take them on a modern, four-lane highway to a beautiful, all-inclusive resort. It's not exactly roughing it."

Capt. Hamlin hopes to fish until he catches 30,000 or more billfish. "I am taking a few more days off here and there than in the past," Hamlin goes on to say. "But I still enjoy it. My friends tell me I have half a fish brain," Hamlin says, laughing.
About Pacific Fins Resort:
Pacific Fins Resort is located along the Pacific Coast just 50 miles from Guatemala City. It is considered one of the best fishing resorts in Central America