Being one of the top ten fishing locations Big Game Fishermen around the world begin to turn their attentions to the world class fishing grounds of Corbeteña, El Banco and the Tres Maria Islands. What they´re seeing is Marlin Populations increasing daily as larger fish follow. Sailfish are on-tap almost everywhere you are fishing, including the bay for the lucky. Bait fish like Bullet Bonito, Bullet Skip Jack Tuna, Flying fish, Goggle eyes and more make it a fast food factory for a finned fantasy. The cherry on the top is the fact our World Class Fishing Grounds are all but deserted. When was the last time you had conditions like this all to yourself? It´s all happening now in Puerto Vallarta’s Deep Sea Fishing grounds!
As we move into summer fishing with Puerto Vallarta’s Fishing ¨High Season¨ at hand we´re very interested in developing conditions. One thing that has happened this past week is an unusual increase in water temperatures. Now this can be of concern. Normal water temperatures for this area around June / July time frame is normally 83 degrees or so. This week we´ve seen spots around Corbeteña and El Banco at 88 to 90 degrees. Which for Marlin is no big deal, but for Yellowfin tuna, they don’t like these levels and will go to lower levels looking to have water temps cool their body temperatures down. Having said that, fishing is a notch improved since last week and we´re seeing more action at the deep water locations. It´s time to get on the water amigos, the fun on!
Summer fishing is shaping up nicely as we see Striped, Blue and Black Marlin numbers increase. Sailfish are more abundant in a big way. Bullet Bonito and Skip Jacks are all over the place being chased by these World Class Gamefish. Water temperatures are perfect for summer species. Dorado are trickling in slowly. We´re not seeing larger Yellowfin Tuna yet, it´s still early for them around Corbeteña or El Banco. The season is coming together, time to start making those summer fishing trip reservations and keep up with these Fishing Reports, Fishing High Season is starting now!
Every year I wait for the transition period between early May to early June to end as summer species like Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado and more start to filter back into the area. Right now we´re seeing Marlin of all species picking up in numbers do to abundant bait, perfect Blue Water conditions, and deserted fishing grounds. If you didn´t know Puerto Vallarta is one of the best fishing grounds for Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna and Sailfish in the world. That´s a big statement for sure, but it´s accurate. For the lucky few here in PV right now, you´ve got a wonderful opportunity to boat a world class gamefish. If you´re reading this online or in the states in a paper publication then sit back, I´ll do my best to get you off your butt and on a plane for Fish City, aka PV from now until the end of December you can get that Finned Fantasy you´ve dreamed about!
As the seasons change we always know there will be excitement. We had the first Hurricane of the season pass us by over 400 miles to the east, nothing to fret about, but as far as summer season goes, it marks the beginning of ¨High Season¨ for fishing. With plenty of bait, plenty of fish and perfect conditions, Puerto Vallarta’s World Famous Fishing Grounds are open for business.
May is may and we´re still dealing with the transition from winter to summer currents and that´s obvious with the swirling cold and warmer currents we´re experiencing now. While the days are longer and the sun is higher in the sky we´re not seeing any major changes from last week. Rooster fish have slowed down, the currents pushing bait out is the main culprit. Sardines are still in the area, but not like they have been which is of course a Rooster Fishes favorite fast food!
Well it´s definitely May, humidity is up, daytime temperatures are up and of course like every May we continue with the seasonal transition. As normal as currents change, this will stir up the sea floor bottom turning the water into a Coffee colored muck fish prefer to avoid. This is normal, but it´s spotty so you can avoid locations like this in the bay. Outside the bay, the water mostly clear and blue but this doesn´t mean fish are cooperating any more than they did last week. There is plenty of action to be had for the short or full day angler looking for arm burning action in an ¨off time¨.
Water temps are a little different as they fluctuate, currents are changing, but essentially things are the same. Which of course means things are not bad, just not great. Larger species like Marlin and Sailfish are in and mostly out. For those of us living the lifestyle, this is no surprise. But for the guy looking for some great action on smaller fish, under 70 lbs, then you´re in for a great day. Looking for Yellowfin Tuna then you´ve got to put in the time and the distance for a ¨shot¨ at a trophy sized YF Tuna. For now it all comes down to how lucky you are.
Every year as we come into spring we see breeding season change into a transitional period where species, water temperatures and currents change. May is normally a slow fishing month, all of us here in Puerto Vallarta know this, but for the local tourist coming to PV it can be a little frustrating. First, we have fish, some very big Marlin, Sailfish and Yellowfin Tuna, but it´s at a premium. If you´re prepared to go the ¨distance¨ and spend the ¨time¨ not to mention money, trophy Gamefish can be yours for the taking.
Alright, flat out the season has been strange because of the water temperatures. Normal currents and water temps seem to be changing yearly, you could throw the words ¨El Nino or La Nina¨ out there and they would fit. Looking at the middle of April and having water temperatures at or over 78 degrees that should be around 72 degrees has a serious impact on YOUR fishing. Rumors of a ¨La Nina¨ year or a year where the water is cooler than normal have been floating around the internet. I believe it´s too early make a call like that, but it´s possible. For now we´re seeing the fishing loosen up a little as the love crazy fish looking to breed are beginning to take baits again and act a little more like we´d expect them to.
