Dear Fellow Anglers,
I'm happy to report that all is well in Guatemala. Lodge Manager Antonio Valdez and his staff are tending to repairs and alterations to the Lodge. The Captains and crews that remained in Guatemala are tending to the annual maintenance of the fleet while some of our Captains are fishing in far off waters. In the past year, the U.S. side of the operation has gone through a significant transition. I moved my family to Coral Gables, Florida and opened my office in Coconut Grove at Monty's Bayside. It has been a big transition for my family but my wife and three daughters are finally settled in to life in Miami.
Since Casa Vieja Lodge is one of the few operations in the world that owns their own boats and transportation, I thought it was time to have our own travel agency as well. Therefore, about a year ago, I acquired the assets of South Fishing and now own a licensed travel agency. Since then, I have taken a more hands on role in the day-to-day operations of the U.S. operations. As many of you know, Sportsman's Addiction has been responsible for the Florida operations since I opened the Lodge in 2006. My increased involvement has substantially changed the scope of the relationship that Casa Vieja had with Sportsman's Addiction. Recently, I made the decision to terminate that relationship, of course a great deal of thought went into this decision. I am sure it is the best course of action for Casa Vieja. In the mean time, I will be happy to personally handle your questions and make arrangements for you to fish at Casa Vieja Lodge.
When I acquired South Fishing, I hired Al Schaefer to work for Casa Vieja. Al has been at the forefront of the fishing and fishing travel business since 1968 starting with Abercrombie & Fitch (the original store) as the tackle manager in Chicago, concurrently as a consultant with Jim Chapralis at Safari Outfitters. Years later with Chapralis at PanAngling as Vice President and associate editor of the "PanAngler", then in the 1990's with Chapi and South Fishing. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this office. As Office Administrator, he is dependable, detail oriented and therefore more than capable of handling the logistics of clients' travel plans with the lodge in Guatemala. Al has proved himself this past year as my assistant. All reservations and inquiries should be directed to Al@casaviejalodge.com
Another addition to the staff is Herb Rosell. Herb has been in the fishing travel business since 1987 starting out with H. T. Chittum in Miami and continuing with Chapi Sportfishing in Venezuela. He managed Chapi's US Office in Miami - specializing in billfishing tournaments in La Guaira under the auspices of South Fishing Travel. South Fishing has been an integral part of Casa Vieja's operations for the past few years. As Director of US Operations, Herb can be reached on his cell 305.632.4372 or herb@casaviejalodge.com
Capt. Tred Barta the well known outdoor writer, jet pilot and sportsman joined the team last month as the Fleet Captain and Director of Fishing Operations. Tred is credited with early confirmation that warm core eddies existed and were key to bluewater success worldwide. Tred's specific techniques on how to find a warm core eddie, how to fish it and stay with it are the standard today. As an angler and captain, Tred Barta has probably spent more time in the North Atlantic Canyons than anyone. Tred's light tackle career is legend holding at one time or another double-digit International Game and Fishing Association (IGFA) world records on light line. Tred was the only man to ever hold the triple crown of light tackle tuna records, a 65 lb. yellowfin on 6 lb. line which took in 3 years of solid effort to land a world record, a 63 1/2 lb. bluefin tuna on 12 lb. line and a 215 lb. big eye tuna on 20 lb. line taking 5 hours and 17 minutes - still unbroken after 20 years. He can now be reached at Tred@casaviejalodge.com
Captain Jake Jordan has spent over half of a century traveling the world in search of large game fish on light tackle and fly. He is an excellent educator and communicator, who loves to excite anglers with stories regarding his many spectacular fishing adventures. Jordan is a world-famous Florida Keys tarpon guide and world-renowned big game fly angler. Captain Jake is a consultant to a boat manufacturer and several world class fly tackle companies. He designs customized fly-fishing vacation packages and fly fishing schools, for anglers throughout the world. Captain Jake appears as a speaker at many fly fishing shows, boat shows, and fishing clubs every year. He has excellent PowerPoint presentations about Catching Billfish on fly. Jake also owns and operates "The Sailfish School" a fly fishing school designed to teach anglers how to catch Billfish on a fly rod. The Sailfish School is held at The Casa Vieja Lodge in Puerto San Jose, Guatemala. Jordan often brags that during the last 16 years of operation, he has never had a student at The Sailfish School who did not catch a Sailfish on a fly! Jake and three of his students released 27 sailfish in one day, and 46 in one three-day session of The Sailfish School. During his lifetime, Jordan has caught more than 1,100 Billfish on fly, including over 900 sailfish and more than 200 marlin on fly. Jake can be reached at keysjake@aol.com or 305.872.6060

The Barta Pacific Masters Official Tournament Rules

This is an ultra-light fun tournament and all participants are expected to fish in a sportsmanlike manner and to follow IGFA Regulations as well as the following additions.

1. Boat: no completely open boats allowed. Comfort and safety of anglers must be considered. Final determination of boat eligibility will be at the discretion of the Tournament Committee.
2. Tournament fishing will begin at 8:30 a.m. All entrants must check out each day by radio with Tournament Control before entering the ocean. Check out begins at 7:00 a.m. Tournament fishing will stop at 3:30 p.m. All entrants have 1 1/2 hours to return to the inlet after fishing stops and to check in by radio with Tournament Control.
3. All boats must monitor VHF Channel 72 which is the official communications channel.
4. Sailfish and Marlin releases must be reported to Tournament Control. The time the fish is reported is the official time of the release, however, all releases must be properly recorded on the Captain’s log. The Captain’s log is the actual scorekeeping device for this tournament.
5. An official release will be credited when the leader touches the rod tip for the first time, or the mate takes control of the leader. THIS IS A SAILFISH AND MARLIN RELEASE TOURNAMENT.
6. All sailfish and marlin must be caught on dead bait. No live baiting, artificial lures or chumming permitted. Dredges are not permitted, artificial teasers without hooks are permitted.
7. LEADER: The double line or wind-on leader, and the leader, shall not exceed 20 feet. The double line or wind-on leader may not exceed 15 feet in length.
8. Tournament fishing area shall be a 60 nautical mile radius from the inlet
9. Boats must leave and enter from Puerto Quetzal Inlet. All boats must return to Marina Pez Vela by 5:00 pm. Boats north of the Inlet breakwater by 5:00 pm will be considered on time. Any late returns shall be penalized by deducting all fish caught for that day. Mechanical or electrical problems will not excuse a late return unless Tournament Control is notified in advance.
10. No more than four lines per boat. Spinning Reels are not allowed. Any fish hooked before 3:30 pm and reported to the Tournament Control may be fought until caught, except for on the last day. On the last day of fishing, the latest time permitted for an official release is 5:30 pm. Any fish hooked after 3:30 pm on any fishing day is ineligible.
11. Sailfish and marlin catches must be reported to the Tournament Control as released. Boat name, angler name and time of release must be reported. Releases may be relayed if Captain cannot reach Tournament Control.
12. IGFA rules apply, except as modified
13. The angler or crew will furnish all tackle; line will be furnished by the Tournament.
    a. LINE AND BACKING: Tournament supplied line is the only line permitted in this tournament. Backing not attached to the fishing line is permissible with no restrictions as to size or material. If the fishing line is attached to the backing, the line will be classified under the heavier of the two lines.
    b. Double lines are measured from the start of the knot, braid, rill or splice, making the double to the furthermost end of the knot, splice, snap, swivel or other device used for securing the trace, leader, lure or hook to the double line. The double line shall be limited to 15 feet.
    c. LEADER: The use of a leader is not required. If one is used, it must meet the following specifications: The length of the leader is the overall length including any lure, hook arrangement or other device. There are no regulations regarding the material or strength of the leader. The combined length wind-on leader or double line, and the leader, shall not exceed 20 feet, including the hook.
    d. Single hook only.
    e. “NON-OFFSET” CIRCLE HOOKS ONLY – J-HOOKS ARE NOT ALLOWED.
    f. BAIT: Any natural dead bait may be used. Live bait is prohibited. Lures are prohibited. Netting of bait is prohibited. Tossing of bait is prohibited.
    g. TEASERS: Teasers are permitted without hooks. Live teasers are not permitted. Teasers may be deployed from rod or the riggers. NO DREDGES
    h. Neither teasers nor baits are allowed in the water until fishing starts at 8:30 a.m.
    i. Boats can be dead in water or moving forward for the first hook up. Baits can be left in the water for multiple hook ups; but any fish caught must be hooked, fought and released from the cockpit.
    j. Release occurs when the leader touches the rod tip or mate takes control of the leader. Leader must be cut as close to the fish as possible.
    k. In the event of a multiple hookup, the angler may make use of the rod holder to hold the rod.
14. Winners will be determined by the total number of points earned regardless of the number of days fished (up to three).
15. Only releases by registered anglers will count towards totals. Maximum of four (4) registered anglers per boat with none of those registered anglers being professional. A professional is defined as any person who has been paid for their professional services as a captain, mate or crew member while engaging in fishing within the last twelve (12) months.
16. Sailfish will be scored at 100 points per release and Marlin will be scored at 500 points per release. In case of a tie, the angler/team scoring the most points first, according to official time, will be declared the winner.
17. Competing boats must honor and give fighting boats all the room necessary.
18. Any protest must be filed in writing or by the angler on the Captain’s daily log by 6:00 PM on the same day as the protested incident. A $100.00 protest binder must accompany all protests. This binder is refundable if the Rules Committee upholds the protest. All protests will be held confidential, and the Rules Committee’s decision WILL BE FINAL.
19. Participants in the Barta Pacific Masters enter at their own risk. Officials and all other persons connected directly or indirectly with the operations of the tournament shall be exempt from any liability for loss, damage, negligence, harm, or injury suffered to any participant, entrant, sportfisherman, their companions, boat captains, crew members, vessels and equipment which may occur during the tournament.

THE BARTA PACIFIC MASTERS

THE BARTA PACIFIC MASTERS

LIGHT TACKLE TOURNAMENT

Who are the best light tackle Billfisherman in the world? The teams from Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Florida, Guatemala, Australia, San Salvador, Costa Rica, California, or Mexico. Well, everyone, it's our privilege to invite you to prove it. At the Barta Pacific Masters, Casa Vieja Lodge, Guatemala- this Exclusive Tournament event levels the playing field, where the fishing is nothing short of spectacular, where the gourmet food world class, and the boats and captains and mates are the stuff that legends are made of.

The Pacific Masters is a three-day event starting with 12 lb test the first day, 8 lb test the second day, and 6 lb test the third day. Line will be provided by the tournament.

The Barta Pacific Masters is a no calcutta gentleman's and ladies' tournament, without lie detector tests, without observers, without cameras, honor system scoring. Your word is your bond. This IGFA World Championship qualifying event host's extra value not only for your team, but for your loved ones.

The $3200 entry fee can be split between up to four anglers per team with a minimum of two anglers per team. The entry fee includes spectacular entertainment, food, open bar, unequivocal world class gourmet food - breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as free cocktail parties including captains and registration events and awards night. A Tred Barta goodie bag comes with your registration filled with tournament shirts, and sponsor gifts. Pre fishing and post fishing days are available. Special no cost interior trips are available to non-fishing guests with Anni Barta to Antigua. Also, Lodge cooking classes or a special beach and lunch trip to Monterico are available.

Although most world class anglers will bring their own tackle, there will be a limited amount of ultra light tackle rods and reels available at the lodge designed and used by Tred Barta for use and sale, this is only for your convenience.

The Pacific Master is limited to 30 boats first come, first serve of boats and captains, private boats and charter boats are welcome.

The Barta Pacific Master benefits the Casa Vieja School fund. For every sancocho, $10 will be donated. For every broken line each team will donate a $25. This will be a blast!

Please join us at Casa Vieja Lodge for the Barta Pacific Masters there's no doubt the cream will rise to the top! The finest teams of the world will be fishing; the finest people in the world will be fishing at the finest lodge in the world. This tournament will be fun, lighthearted guided by honor code and faith in each other. What a privilege it will be host the finest anglers in the world and the finest people in the world at the finest lodge in the world. I will be leading a fleet prayer each morning as well as at dinner.

Watch out, everyone, I'll be fishing a paraplegic team in a wheel chair, and watch out for those fishing women they have a super light touch.

We expect to be sold out quickly so call ASAP to assure your place.

We welcome you.
Tred Barta - Fleet Captain & Jim Turner - Casa Vieja Lodge

“MAKAIRA” JOINS FLEET

Casa Vieja, is excited to announce the re-naming of the “Pelagian,” Casa Vieja’s famous 37’ Rybovich. Jim Turner, along with the boats new co-owner, me - Capt. Tred Barta, will re-name her “Makaira.” This has been the name of all my boats for the last 30 years. Makaira will be docked alongside the rest of Casa Vieja’s classic gameboats at Marina Pez Vela. Powered by twin 350 hp Caterpillars Makaira makes good speed and has a history at the lodge and around the world as a fish raising fool. With a beautiful flat wake and very little white water, its length, design and maneuverability make Makaira the quintessential light tackle rig.
Makaira is available for character though the lodge and is equipped with our personal ultra light tackle. 2-2lb rigs, 2-4lb rigs, 2-6lb rigs, 2-8lb rigs and 4-12lb rigs. The maximum tackle on the “Makaira” is 16lb outfits for Blue Marlin. There also is a full arsenal of fly rods for those wishing to pursue pelagics with the long wand! Makaira’s crew is special, no doubt, fully versed in IGFA Rules as well as world-class light tackle techniques - Bait and switch, live baiting, casting to baitballing schools of sails or yellowfin tuna.
Aboard Makaira, you’ll never see a tackle locker like this. Loaded with everything you will need to do battle on light tackle from ball bearing snap swivels a large inventory of wind-on light leaders. Multiple flies for sails and blue and black marlin, bait specially rigged for 2 to 8lb line. Four spinning rods are aboard for recasting teasers when fish are missed or casting for roosterfish and tuna. Perfect new line is added upon your arrival and spare line in each category is onboard.
If you’re a die-hard light tackle angler you’ll be in heaven. The rods are custom made and our Avet reels have custom light cams for 2, 4 and 8- the drags are like silk.
If you’re a beginner who would like to catch your first sail on 8lb line or perhaps your first sail ever, our crew’s willing, ready, and able to help you. Will you break some fish off due to inexperience? Sure you will, but it’s OK, we’re here to teach. We can teach a beginner ultra light fishing in one afternoon on 12lb or catch one on 8, 6 or 4lb line. It’s a learned art form – you’ll never go back to heavy tackle on sails.
So everyone, welcome aboard the 36’ Rybovich “Makaira” rigged and ready for the light tackle fishermen.
Tight Lines,
Fleet Captain Tred Barta
P.S. I have always loved custom boats – Makaira has 500 hours on her new engines since leaving the yard with a complete restoration. She’s a beauty! Plus she is completely ready for those in a wheelchair like me. A paraplegic fish magnet.