The Presidential Tournament of El Salvador in late November is sure to see a few dozen blue marlin caught and released, like this 400-plus pounder released by Paco Saca this past summer.

Hard-hitting wahoo are arriving in tropical waters and smashing trolled lures and baits. With the price of gas these days ($6.65 a gallon at Rosie’s around the end of summer), a day of high-speed trolling is going to put some big numbers on the gas pump this fall. Nonetheless, the jolting strikes and ferocious fight with the barred speedster make a trip worth every dollar spent and the tasty fillets are the icing on the cake.

Anglers who want to fly to a favorite destination and charter a boat to catch wahoo have plenty of options. In addition to several Bahamian islands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Mexico come quickly to mind. These destinations have dolphin and yellowfin tuna as well. An angler so inclined can fill a fish box with some mighty tasty fillets. If you want to bring some of those fillets home, be sure to check with the U.S. Customs office at your airport regarding what they’ll allow into the country and check with your airline for their rules, requirements and possible charges for carrying or checking coolers on their flights.

Baker’s Bay Resort and Marina, a full-service marina, is slated to open this month (November 17) at Great Guana Cay in Abaco. Dredging to 12.5 feet of mean low water was completed this summer and dockage is scheduled for completion this month. Vessels up to 250 feet in length will be able to access and navigate what operators say will be the largest and most modern facility in The Bahamas. Basic amenities include potable water; power; satellite and phone hook-up; wireless internet access; in-slip sanitary pump out; solid waste collection; shower and laundry facilities; fuel; security; bait, tackle and fish-cleaning stations; grocery store; ship store for marine parts; and a restaurant and bar. Higher levels of service will also be available. A seaside village is also being built, along with a championship golf course and clubhouse. Captain Trey Rhyne of Over Under Adventures has announced that he will base a charterboat at the new facility.

The large bays along Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and in northern Belize turn on as water temps begin to fall. Permit will be feeding on crabs and other crustaceans in three to four feet of water while large schools of bonefish cruise shorelines in their search for food. Flats fishermen should find that Ascension Bay, Espiritu de Santo Bay and Chetumal Bay will all fish well this month.

Billfish have also returned to Pacific waters. Sportfishermen catch double-digit numbers of sailfish averaging about 100 pounds on most trips. As a bonus, enough blue marlin to justify having a large pitch bait on an 80-pound outfit patrol deep water just beyond the rocky coastline. Charterboats have been serviced and are ready for the upcoming season which jump starts this month with a couple of tournaments. The Presidential Challenge of El Salvador is being held November 10-12 and the Presidential Challenge of Guatemala is being held November 21-23. For more info, tournament rules and to register, see www.sportingtraditions.com.

The rains abate by the end of the month in Costa Rica and Panama and sportfishermen are able to get after billfish with renewed vigor. Blue marlin and black marlin have been in local waters for several months with more arriving daily. Striped marlin are joining their billed brethren feasting on baitfish while Pacific sailfish continue to rise to trolled lures and baits with regularity. Add yellowfin tuna, dolphin and wahoo to the mix and there is enough action to please everyone. And it is only going to get better as we move into the cooler months.

Billfish rule the deep waters north of Venezuela. Sportfishermen out of La Guaira are likely to tangle with multiple blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish on most charters. Locals prefer trolled baits over lures for optimal action. At night, swordfish can be taken by anglers dropping baits in deep water. Although not as glamorous as billfish, tasty wahoo, dolphin and yellowfin tuna are also feeding on the huge schools of baitfish in the area. Winds and rain bring an end to the fantastic sight-fishing for bonefish around Los Roques.

--Larry Kinder