Cruising the Fishing Grounds

If you haven’t figured it out by now, we’re having a really weird fishing season. You see there is a complex series of events that normally happen which makes world-class fishing in Puerto Vallarta predictable. But this year is a lot different. This year, we’re dealing with unusual climate conditions where we’re in the middle of a “change” from an El Nino condition into a La Nina condition, again, in the middle of the fishing season. Normally this sort of thing will happen at the end or beginning of a season and lead into it. Knowing that weather patterns are affected by water temperatures, this has affected the entire weather pattern in the Puerto Vallarta Area. With a normal Hurricane pattern, we’ll normally see about 12 to 20 of these storms a season. So far, the Hurricanes aren’t happening. Now this may sound like good news, but for a fisherman, it’s a ‘monkey wrench’ in the machine. Without Hurricanes, we don’t have the strong storm currents that push fish into the area. This includes the varied baits as well. Essentially the whole area is just kind of stagnant. Now that doesn’t mean we don’t have fish, it just means you have to find them, not the current they’re in. Be ready to use some fuel amigos, it’s work out there!

What we’ve seen at Corbetena is enough to to get you to hair out! But let’s start with the positive, Black Marlin at 400 lbs and up, Blue Marlin in the same size range, Dorado, Sailfish and even Yellowfin Tuna. With Bluewater and a slight increase in water temperature, not to mention plenty of bait, the conditions are perfect. So where are the fish? They’re out there, but where? The Definitive answer is: somewhere between Corbetena, El Banco, and Punta Mita to El Morro! Simple, right? Well, maybe not. Again, You see the lack of any current, let alone generated by a Hurricane, spells out a stagnant condition. Currents are essentially a fish highway they ride into our world-famous fishing grounds. So no Hurricanes means no storm currents! That means it’s as if it’s fish ‘Cruise Night’, with no particular place to go. So these fish are ‘cruising’ the neighborhood amigos. So what does that mean to the paying fisherman looking to boat a ‘finned fantasy’? It means you need to have a Solid fishing plan and a strong measure of luck amigos. First, head to a location about five miles north of the Corbetena rock. From there, head north and look for the Spinner Dolphin! The Spinners are sprinkled throughout the area and 30 to 60 lb Yellowfin Tuna ‘footballs’ are once again running with them. For the most part, if you find the Spinners, you‘ll have some great action. Your next best option is to find a floating log or debris. This will be a guaranteed 25 lb Dorado hotbed. Then of course look for the birds! And in between all of this, drop baits and troll, but keep your eyes peeled! Your radar can help find birds, but you get the idea right? It’s all about burning fuel and pushing water. Also, with all the flying fish and assorted baits, sometimes it’s best to start with a dead bait. Feeling lucky?

For you Yellowfin Tuna Fanatics, the season is coming on nicely as water temperatures warm up a bit. It’s that time of the year when you can expect to see Cows aka Yellowfin Tuna over 200 lbs. Now I know many call Yellowfin Tuna larger than 200 lbs as “Super Cows”. Living in Puerto Vallarta, anything over 250 lbs is considered a “Monster”. But the term Super Cow is accurate and they could be there waiting for you now. Where you may ask, well the northernmost island, of the Tres Maria Islands is northern most island of the chain. And right now Juanito is rocking and boiling with Yellowfin Tuna action. This of course is a 2.5-day minimum trip, so it’s not something you’ll be able to access in one day. Our one-day trips, they’ll get you just off Cleofa or Cleofas, depending on the map your reading. But the fact is, for those looking for world class. Possible World Record, “Marlin Magazine class” Yellowfin Tuna, possibly over 300 is happening now. Possibly pushing 400 lbs. If interested, we have several options that will save you a few pesos compared to my competition. Big Black Marlin have been reported at Cleofa. But the whole area is a world class fishing location. It’s not cheap, but we do what we can to keep prices down and embarrass our competition!  

Anywhere from El Morro to Punta Mita things have improved. Finally, we’re seeing some rain, it’s been a fairly dry summer in reality. With the recent seasonal rains, things have changed and finally we’re getting a more pronounced Trash Line which is good news indeed. Now, the new, fresh trash lines, they never have much hanging around them. But a mature trash line, say a few days or more old, then you’ve got a fish goldmine. Dorado will be your primary player here in the 10 to 20 lb range right now. But Bonito and Skip Jack Tuna will ride the line eating whatever looks interesting. This includes smaller species like Goggle eyes, which of course attract larger fish. Find a floating log or debris and shortly after that you’ll be in the action. If targeting Billfish, about 16 miles off the point of Punta Mita (on a 315 heading) there are Sailfish and Striped Marlin. There could be Spinner Dolphin in the area, as well as possible Jack Crevalles off the point. Rooster fish is a strong ‘maybe’ north of Sayulita or at the Anegados area, but it’s a long way to go on a ‘maybe’. Not many reports from this area for the last few weeks. But the water is blue out about five miles, smooth seas, and plenty of bait are a magic combination. Still feeling lucky?

Inside the bay this week is much the same as last week, but now we have a trash line here as well. Look for the older trash lines, the ones deeper in the bay and you may find the action you’re looking for. Of course, we’re still seeing Jack Crevalles in Nuevo Vallarta and La Cruz, but if you’re at the other end of the bay near Los Arcos, there you have a shot at Dorado, all be it on the smaller side. Bonito to 20 lbs, large Skipjack Tuna in the 20 lb range. Needle fish are a bit more to the south, but fun to catch. With Sailfish in the area, I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw some in the bay soon. There is plenty of action in the bay and you’ll have a great day.

Ok, so we all know things change pretty quickly around here and by the time you read this, probably already have. Water temperatures have bumped up a bit to the 84 / 85 degree range and that’s a good thing. There is plenty of bait in the bay and around the area. Remember to run a lure and possibly have dead bait on hand to mix things up. The bite is still weird, so I’m putting people out early, about 06:00 if heading out for eight hours or more. We still see an early bite at about 08:00 and another later bite at about 09:30. If you’re lucky some fish will come up about that time and you’ll be lucky indeed!

Until next week, don’t forget to kiss your fish!

Written by Stan Gabruk / Owner of Master Baiter’s Sportfishing & Tackle

Web page:  www.MasterBaiters.com.mx, Local Phone at: Our international number is: +52 322 209 1128. #MasterBaitersSportfishing on Instagram, Facebook: Master Baiter’s Sportfishing & Tackle. The trademark Master Baiter’s ® Sportfishing and Tackle is protected under trademark law and is the sole property of Stan Gabruk.