Warmer Currents Move Into the Marietta Islands, Dorado and Yellowfin Reappear
Warmer Currents Move Into the Marietta Islands, Dorado and Yellowfin Reappear
Written by Stan Gabruk of Master Baiter ´s Sportfishing and Tackle
For years now I´ve been writing articles on fishing here in our world famous fishing grounds or Puerto Vallarta. In a normal season we would be seeing the end of the summer fishing season as the Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna and Sailfish filter out and head south for the winter. During unusual conditions like El Nino or La Nina the word ¨normal¨ does not apply. This year as you know if you read my ¨stuff¨ that we are in the second La Nina year in a row. This came after an El Nino Year. So for the last three years we have seen all sorts of conditions we ¨normally¨ would not have to deal with. So what does that mean to us now? Well all I can tell you is fishing is a mixed bag right now and if you are one of the thousands that have come to expect ´easy´ fishing, then you are in for a surprise. If you are looking for ¨action¨ then we`ve got game amigo. If you´re a little flexible and open to all that can happen, then you´re the person I am writing for again this week.
Last week or the last few reports I should say, Red Tide was a real issue. Fish hate red tide which is nothing more than dead plankton (single cell amebas). It cuts the amount of oxygen in the water, they can´t breath. So I am sure you can understand why the fishing was so horrible. But this has changed now, the currents have pushed the red tide out and the bay has warmer, fresh water. Good news for those looking for shorter days in the bay and actually have some action! So this is good news for us all. Inside the bay it´s Sierra Mackerals and Jack Crevalls for the most part. They are taking bait and are the primary players for now in the bay. I know, nothing too exciting here, but there you are. We will soon see Snappers move in and Bonito pick up in numbers. Yellowfin Tuna are still in the area around Yelapa, but getting them interested in any bait you may have is difficult at best. With these tiny Sardines in the area there is no reason for them to pay attention to your trolled baits. I can´t even mimic these baits that are just a little bigger than a grain of rice…. This has to change soon. Now if you want to come back bald headed from pulling your hair out in frustration you can run over to Yelapa and see 100lb Yellowfin Tuna (yes I said 100 lb tuna, never seen this before in the bay) and many Sailfish. Now that`s cool, the frustrating part is the fact you can´t get them interested in anything you are putting in front of them. Sooner or later this will loosen up, that is the time you want to hit the bay with a full bait tank!
The Marietta Islands and its neighbor El Morro are still hit and miss. What do I mean by that, well it seems that Rooster fish and Jack Crevalls can spring up at any moment, anywhere in the bay. When they come to the surface chasing bait balls, it´s a feeding frenzy where casting a Google Eye in the middle of them will produce some arm breaking action. Trolling is working fairly well for the Crevalls, but when it comes to Rooster Fish you have to catch them on the surface and ¨in the mood¨. It seems like they have a ¨head ache¨ all the time and are on the downhill side of a 50 / 50 chance of boating one. Now if you do, they´re anywhere from thirty to sixty pounds. Eight hours is worth the time and money for now, but again thin skinned types may find this frustrating, the other word for fishing!
Update 1/5/2011: Rooster fish have finally started taking baits in the mid afternoon to about 4:00. So the bite is on. Roosters running 45lbs and up are everywhere and went into a feeding frenzy on the tons of live bait in the Bay of Banderas. You just have to be in the area of where they are coming up and bam, multiple strikes. Snappers are out there as well in the 30 to 40 lb range, Pompano, Bonito, Skip Jacks, Milk Fish and more!
There have been some warm currents and we´ve even seen some warm breezes similar to the Santa Anna winds in California, very strange. With these warm breezes and currents we have seen Sailfish and Dorado return. That´s right, we have some, not many, Dorado and Sailfish off the islands. Bonito and Snappers are increasing in numbers. Pompano to 35lbs, Jack Crevalls to 40lbs, Sierra Mackerals (they´re everywhere). If these tiny Sardines move out we´ll be rolling again in the bay….
Great news this week for El Banco and Corbeteña, We´ve seen Yellowfin Tuna Returning, Striped Marlin and Cubera Snappers taking bait and being aggressive. Yellowfin Tuna to 200 lbs with the average being in the 45lb range (Footballs). Striped Marlin to 250 lbs and the Cubera Snappers are averaging 40 to 60lbs. So if you have a notion now would be a good time to hit the Rock and El Banco… One issue is the dirty water, to find blue water yesterday Bella Del Mar was on the door step of the Tres Maria Island aka Prison Islands. Lots of Yellowfin tuna, but make sure you respect the 15 mile limit or you may find yourself with an unhappy ending to your vacation!
What we are seeing now is the last breath of summer fishing with these warm currents so if you are looking at boating a Sailfish, Dorado or Tuna you better get off that couch amigo, Time´s a wastin!
While you are in town don`t forget to visit Marina Vallarta with the ¨other Malicon¨ in Puerto Vallarta! It`s the second most popular tourist attraction in Puerto Vallarta with Restaurant row and 150 shops of all kinds… I´ll keep an eye out for you!
Until next time, don´t forget to kiss your fish!
Master Baiter´s Sportfishing & Tackle is located in Marina Vallarta on the Boardwalk between the light house and Porto Bellos restaurant. Come by and say hello! Remember, at Master Baiter´s Sportfishing and Tackle, We Won´t Jerk You Around! If you have any questions on any subject regarding fishing or Puerto Vallarta, feel free to ask at my email: CatchFish@MasterBaiters.com.mx
The trade name Master Baiter’s ® Sportfishing and Tackle is protected under trade mark law and is the sole property of Stan Gabruk.
