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Marina Vallarta Las Palmas I Local 3

      Striped Marlin, Dorado, Wahoo & Rooster Fish, Summer Fishing in February  

Written by: Stan Gabruk owner of Master Baiter´s Sportfishing & Tackle

 

02 16 1206 GuanaTuna, Yellowfin Tuna 80 lbs 650 pxls MBText

Hello… this report this week is about four days late, but the info is still accurate….. I got a little under the weather this week… so forgive this late report and you´ll have another one in a few days ….

Well once again El Nino has us scratching our heads wondering what is coming next. Last week it looked like the ¨summer¨ fishing season had finally ended. Then all of a sudden Striped Marlin move in off Sayulita in force, the Dorado move back in to the Punta Mita area, Yellowfin Tuna for now at El Banco, it´s a real mixed bag with summer species swimming alongside winter species. It´s anyone’s guess from this point how the season is going to shape up for the rest of the winter, but if this is any example of what we can expect, I´m excited at the possibilities.

Let’s start with Corbeteña: Of all the fishing grounds, Corbeteña is the least active. Now the rock has strikes, not an issue, but north of Corbeteña by 6 to 7 miles you´ll find Striped Marlin around 350 to 400 lbs on tap. Blue Marlin are also in the area in the same size range. Dorado are thinning out a little but they´re still in the 30 to 40 lb range. Cubera Snappers in the 50 lb range if jigging, but they will take trolled bait. Sailfish are not exactly thick, they are there and taking baits! Wahoo in the area from 60 to 80 lbs and worth targeting! Wahoo are kinda rare around here and we don´t have them for long, but they´re here now so get your butt on the water, now!!

El Banco is the best choice now if choosing between our two primary deep water fishing grounds. Sailfish, you bet to over 120 inches, Striped Marlin (400 lbs) are not exactly automatic. Blue Marlin in the 500 lb range, Blue and Big Black Marlin over 500 lbs.  Wahoo to 80 lbs possible (best around El Morro), Dorado to 40 lbs, Yellowfin Tuna 80 to 120 lbs and they´re at the high spots, not miles north. El Banco is finally the place of choice for big fish!

02 16 2016 Punta Mita Point 650 pxls adjustedEl Morro is alive with Wahoo primarily, there are also Rooster fish in the 35 lb range, not exactly abundant, but picking up and Red Snappers in the 30 lb range are great tasting table fare. Around the Marietta Islands we´re still waiting for this area to ¨turn on¨. With Jack Crevalls and Bonito on tap it’s not much of a reason to hang around the area. Snapper are close, but not like El Morro. Bonito to 25 lbs, Sierra Mackerals, Red Snappers under 25 lbs, possibility of some Rooster fish in the 35 lb range. Punta Mita is alive with Dorado in the 40 lb range. Striped Marlin have taken over the area in the 350 lb plus range. Around Sayulita’s Anclote Reef there are more Rooster fish (40 lbs) larger than what is hanging around the shore line of Nuevo Vallarta. Be warned, once you pass the eight mile mark from the point of Punta Mita you´ll find a dead area with no fish, zilch, you´ve been warned. But if you continue to the 14 mile mark you´ll find even more Striped Marlin in big numbers. Capt Cesar of Magnifico called me all excited to share how the fishing was on fire in this area so I could share this all with you. So there you go, Capt Cesar of Magnifico says hit this area NOW!

Inside the bay is great as well with the usual suspects of Jack Crevalls around the Nuevo Vallarta area, Sierra Mackerals to 15 lbs, Skip Jack Tuna to 6 lbs, Bonito 20 to 40 lbs, Needle fish to 35 lbs, Dorado around the Los Arcos area for the lucky. There is just plenty of fish to be had and there is no excuse for coming in empty handed!

Water Temperatures are still in the 77 to 79 degree range with warm swirling currents keeping species like Dorado in the area, thank your lucky stars for that. Warm water still extends to southern California so our ¨winter fishing season¨ is going to be a real mixed bag, stay tuned! The Bite is later in the morning now, but with the cloudy mornings from a marine layer I suggest getting to where ever you want to be on the early side. No worries, a 7 a.m. depart time will be perfect, just not too early or you´re waiting for no good reason for fish. Lures: Flying fish lures (blue with silver spots and stripes) along with Petrelaros are ¨no brainers¨. Live bait is working well also, but live bait near Corbeteña is sparse, plan accordingly. If things continue like they are the Easter could be very interesting. With the surprise of larger YF Tuna (not big ok) over 80 lbs in February then anything is possible so keep an eye on these reports, the standard speak and crap being spread around Marina Vallarta by these local ¨promoters¨ is not worth listening to. They´re still quoting my last article and they´re way behind the power curve, you´ve been informed.

Shared boats for 8 hrs targeting Dorado has been very popular! Just fire me an email so I know when you´ll be here and we´ll do the rest. The Downtown Store on Basidillo Badillo and Insurgentes is open for High Season. Call Chris (El Centro Mgr) at (044) 322 112 9558 for fishing, tours or T-shrts amigo.  I am still in Marina Vallarta so take your pick. YeHa! We are also Smoking your fish, we keep half, but man is this stuff good. Call Chris for Details in my El Centro store. Contact us about a week before coming to PV so we can get you set up early on a shared boat!

Until next time, don´t forget to ¨Kiss Your Fish¨. . .

Master Baiter´s is located in Marina Vallarta between docks A and B on the boardwalk. Email your Questions to me at: CatchFish@MasterBaiters.com.mx  Web page:  www.MasterBaiters.com.mx  , Local Phone at: (044) 322 779 75 71 or if roaming: 011 52 1 322 779 75 71 cell phone direct. Come like me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Master-Baiters-Sportfishing-Tackle/88817121325

The trade name Master Baiter’s ® Sportfishing and Tackle is protected under trade mark law and is the sole property of Stan Gabruk.