The Big Chill Returns, Water Temps Drop, Stripers Move In

Now that we’ve been in business now for 26 years, we’ve come to expect certain conditions at certain times of the year. One of those conditions is right at the end of the year. Normally at the time the Christmas holiday arrives, we get what I’ve called for years “The Big Chill”. You see we get this cold current, it moves in and the water temperatures drop. At that point, it pretty much announces the end of our summer fishing season. Now this condition was late this year and it’s just now showing up. Because of that the Blue Marlin, Black marlin and most of the Dorado are heading south. It happens every year and while we’re not to excited to see the Dorado moving out, it doesn’t mean the end of fishing in our world famous fishing grounds in Puerto Vallarta. But it does mean we will adjust to the transition from summer species to winter species. The good news is there are Striped Marlin, Sailfish, Jack Crevalles in the Bay and the occasional Dorado amigos.

Corbetena this week had a few days where the water turned green. Not the “Clean Green”, but the dirty coffee-colored green, with the lower water temperatures and poor visibility that fish hate. But that’s all changed now and we’re seeing blue water at all the fishing grounds. Keeping in mind, tomorrow could be a different thing, so check the conditions out before heading to Corbetena or El Banco. And to be frank, Yellowfin Tuna have been on and off. Some days they take bait, others they ignore you. With all the Krill or Whale food, this is the issue. If you find yourself in this area, small, silver spoons are working, another indication the baits are tiny! But it’s still worth a taking a chance if you ask me. On the positive side, we have clean water, plenty of bait and smooth seas. As mentioned earlier, with the dropping water temperatures, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin and Dorado are thinning out in numbers. We still have “some” Blue Marlin, but we’re picking up in Striped Marlin numbers bigtime! And for some reason, I would suspect the level of bait, Yellowfin Tuna are running anywhere from 30 lbs. over 100 lbs. south of the rock. Tuna are going to be work, you may give it your best and have on maybe two Yellowfin Tuna strikes for the whole day. You still have a chance of Dorado in the 20 lbs. and Sailfish are still running this neighborhood.  Winter species like Jack Crevalle’s and Bonito are moving into the area. Now bottom fishing for Cubera Snapper in the area if interested in great bottom fishing as well.  

Coming into the eight-hour duration distances of El Morro to north of Sayulita We’re still seeing Dorado in the 20 lbs. range. Sailfish are there as well. If you head out about 10 miles off the point, you’ll find Sailfish as well and Striped Marlin. Behind the Marietta islands to El Morro it seems the Sails have been easier to find for some reason. Jack Crevalles are in the 30 to 50 lbs. range all across this entire area. And the ever-popular Roosterfish at 40 lbs. is available to those who would like to target them. Everything is just so spread out, you need to be prepared to push some water. Basically, move around to find the action. You know area is good, the illegal long liners, that the authorities can’t seem do anything about are running lines in this area, so it could screw up the Dorado fishing. Still, it’s worth the effort.

Inside the bay, we’re definitely moving into the winter fishing season as the Bonito are both getting larger and picking up in number. Great fighters, Jack Crevalle’s have been running between 30 and 45 lbs. it seems Nuevo Vallarta area is Jack Crevalle city and that’s just pure, arm burning action. Jack Crevalles at  this time of the year are a bread and butter species for the local charter captains, myself as well. There are still some smaller Dorado in the 15 lbs. range, Plenty of Skip Jack Tuna, aka Skippies. With the Whales in the bay, remember close proximity to whales means no fish, but fun to see. Throw in abundant, tasty, Sierra Mackerels, Bonito and some great bottom fishing, you won’t go wrong on a four to six hour fishing trip in the bay. Perfect for family fishing and remember, the whales have to be respected, but watching them is free and amazing!

This week we’ve seen the morning bite has been pretty strong. Make sure you’re where you want to be before 08:30 and you’ll increase your chances of boating that bucket list fish you’ve been fantasizing about your entire life! Most people forget about the afternoon bite, happening now about 3 O’Clock in the afternoon and it’s been a strong bite lately. The down side is it could be a little bit choppy, so a heavier boat at that point would be preferrable. We have plenty of bait, Krill of course, but we have plenty of Skipjack Tuna, Bonito are great Marlin baits. Yellowfin Tuna are on and off, but if they’re on, they’re “on”! If running lures, make sure they’re smaller, pink colored and blue is where I’d start, even dead bait is working, so keep an open mind and try everything. And finally, water temperatures over the las two weeks have dropped from 80 degrees to 78 degrees or cooler. Remember just about 12 days ago, the water was a prefect 84 degrees. One last thing, come the second week of February, we normally have the “Last Hurrah” for Dorado in the area as they come down from the northern areas, running from the cooling water. We normally get about two weeks of Strong Dorado and Sailfish action, then the Dorado will be gone until next year. So hopefully you can use this information to your advantage.

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

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Written by Stan Gabruk

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