Sara Smith at Casa Vieja Lodge Guatemala

There is something special about watching someone experience Casa Vieja Lodge for the very first time. Watching them light up when they see the resort for the first time and catch their first sailfish is why I host trips. I love introducing our clients to new waters and new adventures, and helping them create indelible memories.

For my friend Sara Smith from Wisconsin, our February 2026 trip to Guatemala wasn’t just another fishing getaway, it was a completely new experience, her first saltwater adventure. From the anticipation leading up to the trip, to stepping onto the boat each morning, to taking in everything the lodge has to offer, Sara fully enjoyed every part of the journey. I knew she would – she simply loves life and it’s hard to have a bad time at Casa Vieja. Being there as it all came to life reminded me just how impactful these trips can be, especially when it’s someone’s first time.

I asked Sara about her stay, the fishing, and what stood out most about her time. Read below to learn about Casa Vieja Lodge through Sara’s eyes.

HPFC: What were your fishing experiences prior to going to Guatemala?

Sara Smith: My husband and I like to fish for bass. We also like taking the kids panfishing in the summer. That’s my extent of fishing.

HPFC: Had you ever been to Guatemala or fished offshore before this trip?

Sara Smith: NO! I even grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan and never went fishing on big water there. Going out into the ocean was going to be something I had never experienced. When I was told the first day that it might be a 2 HOUR ride to get to our fishing spot, I was a bit nervous.

HPFC: What were your expectations coming to Casa Vieja Lodge?

Sara Smith: From what I had read and viewed online, I knew it would be a beautiful place, but it exceeded our expectations. When we arrived, Casa Vieja was even more beautiful than I had imagined. The dining area was welcoming, the pool and rooms were amazing and the staff were so friendly and attentive. I also didn't realize that the fishing would be as incredible as it was.

HPFC: What made you say “yes” to this adventure with Half Past First Cast?

Sara Smith: Well, we loved and trusted your recommendations and advice when we traveled to Lake El Salto in Mazatlán, so we knew that this would be another experience that we wouldn't regret saying yes to!

HPFC: What was your first impression of the lodge once you stepped out of the van?

Sara Smith: Gorgeous! This place is legit! I felt safe and ready to start our adventure.

HPFC: How were the accommodations?

Sara Smith: Impressive! I had heard that there had been some renovations that took place and we were excited to see that our room was one of the new rooms. The bed was super comfortable and the bathroom was gorgeous. We had a beautiful arrangement of flowers in our room (as it was Valentine's Day), and we were poolside! Daily laundry service was really so nice to have - this made it easy to travel light when you have that daily service. The whole place had a very "at home" feeling.

HPFC: What boat did you fish on and what were your first impressions of the boat?

Sara Smith: We fished on THE FINEST KIND. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect of the boat. Seeing all the boats at the marina, we needed a few minutes just to take it all in! Once aboard, it was a beautiful boat and I thought to myself, “This feels safe” and couldn’t wait to start our adventure. I was impressed by the really nice accommodations - inside air conditioning, snacks and drinks. The boat ride was not bumpy and I didn't feel seasick (thanks to the recommendation of the motion sickness patch). The further out we went, the more comfortable I felt about our new adventure and was excited to start fishing.

HPFC: Can you describe the moment you hooked your first fish?

Sara Smith: It was a fight from the beginning! This would be the biggest fish I had ever caught in my life. The fish was strong and I listened to Mate Tony guide me on what to do (when to reel, when to let line out). There were several times I just needed to let the fish swim and let the boat catch up to it before I could reel in again. I was super excited and my arms got a great work out. I would not have believed it if you told me to be ready to catch more because I, and the rest of the boat, landed several more that day!

HPFC: What species did you catch?

Sara Smith: We caught a lot of sailfish but on the second day, I caught a striped marlin. There was one other striped marlin and my husband caught the blue marlin (Tony estimated to be around 250lb) caught that day. Apparently, this was considered a “Grand Slam,” which doesn’t happen very often so that made it even more exciting!! We were so proud to come in with all three flags when we got back to the dock.

HPFC: What was it like to fight the fish?

Sara Smith: It was a great fight! Looking back at many of the videos, we fought fish for several minutes each. The marlin was the toughest to land and took longer as well. It was fun to reel them in but also it was amazing to see their beauty as they leapt through the air.

HPFC: Describe the boat experience.

Sara Smith: Captain Benji, mates Tony and Alex were so fun and helpful. It was really interesting watching them get the bait and lines ready. They really know what they are doing. Each day, Alex offered us a mid-morning fresh fruit snack and cooked us up a delicious lunch, which was always interrupted by a “fish on” call. They really know their craft and are so comfortable guiding us in our experience.

HPFC: How would you describe the food and dining experience?

Sara Smith: First, I was surprised by the many breakfast options. Dinner was never disappointing and we had a larger group so it was fun to all sit together (family style) and get to know each other and trade stories of the day. Don’t let me forget the amazing drinks and poolside apps that we would return to every day once we got back to the lodge. There wasn’t a meal or appetizer that we did not enjoy.

HPFC: Did you have a favorite off the water moment?

Sara Smith: Coming back to the pool, after a full day of fishing to enjoy fresh poolside drinks and appetizers. Meal? The shrimp dishes were very good. Cocktail? The strawberry margarita was handcrafted with real strawberries!

HPFC: Any moments you will replay in your head when you think about this trip?

Sara Smith: Besides the amazing fishing (we landed over 90 sailfish in just 3 days among four people fishing), just going out into the ocean and seeing the amazing marine life! Pods of dolphins swam with our boat daily, we saw sea turtles, rays jumping and even saw a couple of whales.

HPFC: What would you tell another woman considering booking this trip, with or without a significant other?

Sara Smith: Don’t be afraid. You can 100% trust the lodge (from pick up to drop off), the boat crew and the lodge staff. They are there to make your experience wonderful and they did indeed do a very good job of that. I would completely recommend this experience to anyone who might be considering it.

HPFC: What stood out most about the group trip to Casa Vieja Lodge with Half Past First Cast?

Sara Smith: We didn’t know any of the other group members that were with us but everyone was super nice and it was so fun getting to know everyone.

HPFC: Anything that we did that stood out?

Sara Smith: Hanna welcomed the ladies with a few thoughtful Valentine’s gifts which was unexpected and very sweet of her. We can’t think of anything that would have really improved this trip! It exceeded expectations. The amount of fish caught by everyone that week was insane. We won’t be able to do this trip annually, but we will definitely be going back to Casa Vieja Lodge in the future.

If Sara’s story inspired you to take your own journey to Guatemala — or if you have further questions — email me and let’s get you down there for a luxury sailfish experience.