It’s nice this year to be able to report some great and improving action and conditions. For the last several years we’ve been less than happy with the way the fishing season started. Granted we’ve been dealing with the mother of all El Niño’s, but that’s over now. Water and bait conditions couldn’t be better. It’s low season as the thermometer continues to climb, hand in hand with heavy amounts of humidity. It may be the off season for tourism, but when it comes to fishing for world class species in world class fishing grounds, you need look no further. Yes folks High Season for Fishing is developing nicely.
Warning; As we move into the second week of July we find every single condition both perfect and frustrating. Bait, we have tons of bait at all the fishing grounds, bait is not a problem. The water is blue, we have some really big fish out there right now which shows that even when things are about as good as they’re going to get, fishing on a world class scale is never without its challenges.
When it’s good at Corbetena that is about all you need to know to get your neck hair standing up, then comes the ants in your pants. If you’re one of those guys I suggest you move on to the next paragraph because I’m about to get that neck hair standing. Then give me a minute or two and you’ll be squirming in your seats (Ha ha).
Let’s start with Corbetena, like last week we’re still seeing red crabs drawing in Yellowfin Tuna anywhere from 40 lbs to 80 lbs, it just depends on your luck at the time. Sailfish of nice size, some Striped Marlin at 250 lbs, Black Marlin over 500 lbs, Blue Marlin at 500 lbs, and a host of smaller fish. One issue is there are still Bottle Nose Dolphin stealing trolled baits so be aware. The good news is there is other bait to be caught out in the fishing grounds area, but they get those also. Be patient or use the staples in the bait tail trick to help your cause. Blue water, flying fish, warm water temperatures, the conditions are close to perfect and hopefully the season will build on all this. After such a dismal start to the season it’s nice to see things turn for the best. For the locals there is no excuse for not finding your way on the bay.
For the last few months you could have used a cookie cutter to put my reports together. It seemed like the same fishing elements never changed. I’m very happy to say that this is finally all coming to an end as we have seen water temperatures jump from 72 degrees to 81 degrees in one week! This is drastic and surprising. Blue water is two miles out from Punta Mita, a huge plus. Bait conditions are incredible with massive amounts of flying fish three to six inches from Punta Mita all the way to Corbetena! Bullet Skip Jack and Bonito all over the area especially around the Marietta Islands. But that’s not to say the fishing is fast and easy.
At this time of the year we normally see water temperatures inching their way up, it isn’t happening. Last week we had Freak Black Marlin, Sailfish, Striped Marlin and then BAM! Water temps dropped like a rock, blue water disappeared for the most part and we’re all scratching our heads about this. For the next few days expect no Marlin of any kind, No Tuna of any kind unless “footballs” as bait conditions begin to change. It’s a weird week so put your seat belts on, it’s a “Chilly Story” this week.
You can definitely see and feel the seasons are on the verge of change. Water temperatures have inched up a bit more this week, water color isn´t the dark green it has been and is changing to a clean green which is preferable.. But it´s not blue water as we prefer for the most part. We´re also seeing more Squid bait move in which normally results in Football Tuna at this time of the year, so we have Football Tuna in many areas. Marlin are still north of Punta Mita and ten miles off El Banco to the north. It´s still spring fishing with all those challenges, but when was fishing ever predictable or easy?
I have to say, this last winter has been a strange season. Now you can point a finger in several different directions, blame global warming, Long Liners, Over Fishing and the list continues. What the deal ¨is¨ I haven´t a clue, but I do know this we´re starting to see some small changes that hopefully will turn into big changes. The bottom line is after an El Nino year it takes it takes time for currents and water temperatures to settle down, things don´t just snap back. We may lag a little coming into spring fishing but water temps are inching up a bit and except for Skippies, we have plenty of bait in the area. There is still plenty of action to be had in the bay and for those looking for a Striped Marlin, well it´s possible if not likely.
It´s going to be a short report this week. We´ve seen Corbetena and El Banco turn into a fish ghost town. For now it´s a complete waste of your fishing dollar and time. So those promoters pushing you to take a ten hour trip to catch Marlin and Tuna, it´s total crap. And it´s not going to change anytime soon. Don´t give these guys a single peso, they´re Tourist Abusers! Anything farther out than the Marietta Islands
Every year we know it´s coming, the end of high season for fishing here in PV. Normally by the second week of the New Year we see water temperatures drop and everything changes. This year we saw this happen a little early, we´ve had 76 degree water temps now for about two weeks. We should see Dorado, Marlin, Sailfish and others bugging out. But that´s not the case as we see larger Dorado being boated, Striped Marlin in a frenzy, Blue Marlin are small but there. So no matter how contradictory it may sound, we have cool water and good fishing
