To tell you all the straight up truth right now, I have no clue what will happen when you head out on our boats in the morning. We know what they caught yesterday and what they caught them on, but we don´t know where they will be today and they will probably be in the mood for something new on the fish food menu! Winter fishing is always a challenge, this is why an experienced captain with some tricks up his sleeve can be worth more than the price you paid for the boat! It´s not like fishing in a barrel right now like in the summer when any idiot with a shinny lure can boat a Monster Yellowfin Tuna. Right now you will need a salty captain who knows his stuff along with a well equipped boat. This is where the price of the boat is directly relative to the salary paid to the captain and crew, not to mention having the tools required to do the job at hand! No day Captains coming with his own bag of lures please!
If you have been keeping up with my articles, you know the conditions have been a real mixed bag for the last two to three weeks. With red tide, dirty water, cold water conditions and super abundant bait there were few reasons to head out fishing. Now thankfully things have improved to the point where it makes sense to head out to the fishing grounds, finally!
Everyone lately has been heading out to the Marietta Islands and chasing Roosterfish along with Snappers, some Cuberas there as well in the 50 to 60 lb range, Pompano, Skip Jack Tuna, Sierra Mackerals, the occasional Dorado, Bonito, and the list goes on. Some strange stuff has happened as well, like Yellowtail, not Yellowfin tuna, but Yellowtail which is a cooler water species that we used to see in California and even in Cabo. But in Puerto Vallarta, this never happens. We have also seen Sea Bass, another cold water fish we never see, yet they have been boated at the Marietta Islands in freak instances. This is just another sign of cold water bringing in cold water winter species we almost never see. If this trend continues I will be much happier with the colder water temps! Stay tuned….
The water conditions have been changing rapidly right now and outside the bay, past the Marietta Islands, the water is dirty with some spots of red tide, just what you wanted to hear. The good news right now is about ten miles north of El Banco there is warmer, blue water. This is where you’ll find Striped Marlin and have a shot at larger Yellowfin Tuna. Now if you keep heading north you´ll run into the Tres Maria Islands, aka the prison islands, where the Yellowfin Tuna have been running in the 200lb range. Now eighty miles out for a guy from Southern California is considered close in, so those types are very happy to have the opportunity for this rare chance to hit something larger than a 80 lb Albacore Tuna, which is considered a catch there. The vacationing angler with a recreational interest is more than happy with a shorter day catching smaller game fish with nice action. So if you are of the mind-set to head out after these beauties, then this is where you´ll have to go.
Normally at this time of the year we see the Puerto Vallarta Fishing grounds full of Yellowfin Tuna, Black Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado and more. We still have Yellowfin Tuna at the Tres Maria Islands, commonly known as the Prison Islands. We also still have Striped Marlin and Sailfish north of San Pancho, which is about the same distance as heading to El Banco. But for those looking for close, trophy Game Fishing action things have changed. Water Temperatures continue to drop and hover in the winter ranges of the low 70’s. So what does that mean for the Holiday Angler looking for big fish? Well it means for the most part you can still find what you are looking for, but you´ll have to be flexible of wallet and time. As we move officially into winter, the fishing is fine, but you´ll need to hunt them down amigos!
As news of the frigid weather in the states filters its way down to Mexico we are reminded that we are not immune to cooling temperatures as well. As I have mentioned a thousand times, weather patterns follow water temperatures. If you check Florida land temperatures they are in line with what is happening off the cost in the water. Places like Fort Lauderdale are seeing day time highs in the 20’s. Now we are beginning to see the same conditions here in Puerto Vallarta. Water temperatures are as cool as I can remember, barely in the 70’s as this article is written. This is of course the reason most of the larger game fish have left the area, but that doesn´t mean they all left! Those with the desire still can find Striped Marlin at El Banco or at San Pancho. That’s the good news, the bad news is you´ll be putting in the time and the distance with no guarantees you´ll catch anything. Winter fishing has come to Puerto Vallarta!
Every now and again I like to re-post this article, especially when the economy is down, those looking for a cheap boat will always find one. Like the old saying goes, ¨The is always a cheaper whore on the next corner¨. Which of course describes the fishing industry. The only question is at what point […]
If you´re looking for Marlin even striped Marlin, it’s highly unlikely you´ll be coming in with one of those as well… Not seeing or hearing of Marlin strikes is a good indication they have left the building. Clients this week targeting Yellowfin Tuna were very successful, but they paid the price in dollars and time. For the fanatics, the YF Tuna are running from 80 to over 200 lbs, it just depends on what you come across. So what does this all mean to you, the fishing public that is hoping to boat a Yellowfin Tuna over the Christmas / New Year’s holiday? Well you will have to measure your risk factor against the possible gain. … But no worries, you have options amigo.
As we all know weather patterns follow water temps and while the weather is perfect, the ocean conditions turning cooler means that it won’t be long before the trophy game fish of Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna head for warmer waters to the south. The main reason we still have large trophy fish at the moment is because of the massive abundance of bait in the bay and at the fishing grounds. If you are looking to boat a Black Marlin or a monster Yellowfin Tuna, then you better get your butt in gear and get out there or it will be another year before you can cross this off your bucket list!
Trying to keep up with rapidly changing conditions around here is enough to make your head spin. We’ve seen the introduction of Striped Marlin back in our world famous fishing grounds and this is an early indication that our summer fishing season is coming to an early end this year. Whales are in the area in huge numbers as we enter December. Rooster Fish have reappeared at the Marietta Islands and Sailfish are plentiful, if you’re willing to go the distance. All and all the fishing is great right now in Puerto Vallarta!
