Best Winter Fishing I’ve Ever Seen, Sailfish, Stripers & Squids

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

If you go back and review any of my old reports, you’d notice they all follow a seasonal pattern. Warm water means big summer species like Marlin, Tuna, Sailfish and Dorado. Winter Species of Jack Crevalls, Snappers, Bonito, limited Sailfish are also in the area. So for us to have most of the aforementioned species is just incredible! Water temperatures are cool, but not freezing for fish. Bait is off the hook and frankly we have plenty of fish, but with super amounts of “whale” food, all the players are participating in the worlds largest “fish smorgasbord”! If you’re looking for some great action, we’ve got what you’re looking for.

When talking about the species we’d hope to find at Corbetena and El Banco you’d have to open your “viewer” to see the whole picture. Normally we see concentrations of specific fish in certain areas. But we’re bending the seasonal expectations since we still have fairly warm water temperatures for Striped Marlin. In fact we may see these Striped Marlin around for some time to come as they’ll hang around if there’s bait to 68 degrees or so. It’s for this reason Corbetena to El Banco and back to El Morro anything is likely. Sailfish, Striped Marlin are the main targets. But with Jack Crevalls from 30 to 50 lbs, Bonito at 25 lbs, Sierra Mackerels at 12 lbs anything is possible. You see these targeted Billfish are so spread out that you’ll scratch your hear as to where to head out! Capt. Cesar of Magnifico says that it’s a good idea to hit the point of Punta Mita, set your compass heading to 285 to the 315 mark and keep your eyes open. If you find yourself at El Banco you could find some Yellowfin Tuna to 100 lbs, but most likely closer to the 40 lb range. All this holds true for Corbetena as well so have fun setting a morning strategy.

Closer in from El Morro to Punta Mita has it’s great days and some days that are not so great. The whole area is just stuffed with all sorts of Whale food! It’s just Whale food city and that means it’s free eating at will. Jack Crevalls from 30 lbs are all over the place, as are Bonito now and even the Sierra Mackerels are just stuffed with Krill of all kinds. Striped Marlin and Sailfish are here as well but for some reason they’re at least taking trolled baits!

Again this week inside the bay is a fisherman’s paradise. Rapallas have been working strangely enough in the bay, even with Krill stuffed fish. And anything is possible with Striped Marlin and Sailfish sightings. Dorado are still in the area but thinning in numbers and size like we’d expect. Robalo or Snook are at 20 lbs and if you’re around the river mouth or shoreline you have a shot. There have been some small Groupers around the Ameca river mouth, but small and fickle. May be worth a try. One little secret is the buoy in front of the marina entrance has a buoy that is alive with nice sized Mackerels, but they’re hitting early. Most boats are heading to this area to get some quick action, but are boat traffic increases the Mack’s will sound. So get there before the “rush” and you’ll have action before you get too far out of the Marina.

Tres Maria’s Tuna Report: For those of you coming to this area looking for Monster or Cow Yellowfin tuna you will find them. This week things in the area have been on the slow side with a handful of YF Monsters at 330 to 370 lbs. But that was for 15 to 20 anglers. Many of the long range companies like to post pictures of the fish they’re boating, which have been Cubera Snappers, large Rooster fish and a few huge Dorado. Yellowfin Tuna at this time of the year can be fickle and even if they’re in the area they may not take your baits! For now we’re seeing massive amounts of “Krill” Squids and Shrimps. Basically Whale food that Tuna live to eat. We need to remember that this is “off” season for Yellowfin Tuna in our area. Yellowfin Tuna will stay in cooler water temperatures if the bait is abundant as it is in this area. But they prefer water temperatures above 82 degrees. So while the fishing looks great, the real summer species like YF Tuna, Marlin, Dorado etc. run these fishing grounds like it’s a fish Disneyland in the summer months. For the Southern California boys running those long range boats they’re just trying to make “ends meet” with their off season income here in Puerto Vallarta. Conditions like this can and will last into late April. In May with warming water temperatures the San Diego boys go home to take advantage of their local markets. Exactly when the best Yellowfin Tuna fishing occurs DAILY. This being nothing new, the local knowledge is just playing on the uninformed and excited anglers looking for some great Tuna action. For now the best Tuna fishing is in this area, but as the water warms up size and abundance will increase. So if you’re planning a Tuna fishing trip where every time your line hits the water you could literally boat a world record fish! Again every single time your line hits the water it could be a WORLD RECORD ….     

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The bite is split, Mackerels at the buoys are at or before 07:00, every other species is hitting baits, which is if they come up, around 09:00 a.m. It doesn’t hurt to be the early bird for now. Water temperatures are at 73 degrees, a bit cooler but still not as cold as it can get. Which bait to use is difficult with the massive Krill, but Rapallas of three to six inches with Dorado coloring or flying fish colors of blue and pink would be a good place to start with your live and dead trolled baits. Yes folks skilled and experienced captains will give you your best chances at catching fish in the bay this week. So get out on the water, the weather is perfect and with Whales to see, and snorkeling equip on the boats means you can mix things up a bit if you like! Why Not? Either way, thanks for reading and as long as you do, I’ll keep putting out the only reliable and consistent fishing report in Puerto Vallarta! Yeha!

We have some new services like renting surf fishing poles (comes with a small pack of lures), you can now share a boat for eight hours affordably. And we also have some loss leader promotions you’ll find on my Facebook pages (Master Baiter’s Sportfishing & Tackle). Benjamin our Tour Expert can wrap this all up in one nice package so you don’t need to fret with some of these Bozos out there. 

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

Web page:  www.MasterBaiters.com.mx , Local Phone at: (044) 322 779 7571 or our international number is: 011 52 322 209 1128 10 to 9 local time. #MasterBaitersSportfishing on Instagram, Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Master-Baiters-Sportfishing-Tackle/88817121325

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