Big Black Marlin at El Banco, They´re Back!
Written by: Stan Gabruk owner of Master Baiter´s Sportfishing & Tackle
What a difference a week can make and what a week it´s been! With the cold front that came through, closed the port and messed with the fishing it was little more than a night mare for a few days there. But with the cold front came a cold current that ¨pushed¨ Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna and other species into the area in decent numbers. For the lucky sole that is here in Puerto Vallarta looking to go fishing, you just hit he jackpot!
El Banco is the place to be if looking for out of season Billfish and Yellowfin Tuna. Located fifty miles out of Marina Vallarta this world famous fishing location is living up to its reputation. Right now, this very minute Big Black Marlin tipping the scales anywhere from 600 to over 800 lbs is available to the guy with the ¨bones¨ to be fishing a spot that just last week was pronounced DOA! Today it´s the life of the party so to speak. Blue Marlin over 500 lbs, Cubera Snapper to 65 lbs, Sailfish are in the area, Wahoo for sure to 80 lbs, no Dorado for the moment but could change quickly. Natural live bait in the area are seven inch Flying Fish, Sardines, Skippies over 6 lbs and huge and the list goes on. Remember if they´re out there, they´re always bigger at the bank! Corbetena for the week has been mostly dead, still…there are Yellowfin tuna 13 to 20 miles off the rock anywhere between 60 and 200 lbs, it just depends on how your luck is. There have been fields of spinner Dolphin in the area, always a welcome sight to fisherman with football Tunas from 60 to 75 lbs. So keep an eye peeled! Sailfish have been seen in the area, some Blue Marlin, not many. For the moment your best option is El Banco, but this could change before this ink dries!
Off the point of Punta Mita at the seven mile point are Sailfish! Rooster fish are around the shore line to the Anclote Reef area. With Sardines finally picking up in numbers the Rooster Fish should be a more common occurrence but for now they´re work, mucho trabajo amigos! A Dorado or two have been boated in this area, but don´t expect one, then again it´s happening! Surprised no Stripers in the area, but this could change shortly. The Marietta Islands have also come to life with some Rooster fish (not easy) around 45 lbs, Jack Crevalls to 50 lbs and picking up in numbers, Pompano to 40 lbs, Bonito 35 lbs, Skippies for bait, Needle fish, Sierra Mackerals, and more! One trick, if targeting Wahoo and you should, be sure to run wire leader even if this species is line shy. Troll at a faster pace and be at the fishing grounds before sunrise. 80 lb Wahoo are around El Morro so you don´t even need to go too far out to hit this coveted fish!
Inside the bay not too much changes yet the fishing’s great for the guy looking for a short day and smaller gamefish to keep an experienced or first time angler happy. Jack Crevalls avg. 35 lbs, Bonito 30 lbs, Sierra Mackerals 22 lbs, Needle fish, an off shot at a freak Sailfish. You and the family can´t go wrong in the bay for now.
Water temps are still between 78 and 80 degrees. Water is blue ten miles off Punta Mita, but the clean green water hasn´t interfered with fishing anywhere. Bait: Sardines are moving in finally, Roosters like that. Bullet Bonito and Skip jacks are filling the area. Flying fish of 7 inches are from the point of Punta Mita to El Banco and Corbeteña not to mention Goggle eyes bait is great. Lures: Obviously blue with silver specks or dots with Flying fish. But Gold and Blue are doing well mimicking YF Tuna, start with those.
The cold front pushed down some warm water species that have been hanging out in Southern Cal finally and we should see some interesting developments in the coming days. If we see these errand fish coming back to their home waters then we could have a spring fishing season that could blow your fishing mind. Stay tuned, we´ll put you on fish amigos!
Shared boats for 8 hrs targeting Dorado has been very popular (½ Super Panga, 2 person max. per half the boat)! 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.