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!
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 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!
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Last week we saw the Red Tuna Crabs, tiny Squids and Jelly fish drift in. These of course are the three favorite dishes for Yellowfin Tuna. So you can imagine the frustration of the anglers targeting Yellowfin Tuna, seeing the Tuna, casting to fish who couldn’t care less about your bait! That all changed a few days back and now the Yellowfin Tuna are taking baits again. A buy-product of these cooler conditions will eventually result in smaller Yellowfin Tuna and the beginning of the migration south of Marlin, Sailfish and of course the Tuna. But for now the fishing is still about as good as it gets so don’t delay your trip if possible.
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And at this time of the year the fishing is white hot! November marks one of the two months that the High Tourism season meshes with High Season for Fishing where vacationers and professionals alike are sharing the same fishing grounds. Now of course they’re mostly looking for Yellowfin Tuna at this time of the year and they´re coming in with full cockpits! Black Marlin have moved back into the area and Sailfish are huge, some in the 120 lb range and 13 feet long! November is always an exciting month in Puerto Vallarta and this year looks to be exciting as well!
Once you enter the middle of October anywhere within 400 miles of Puerto Vallarta, north or south, you’ll find the best conditions for fishing for the entire year. Cabo had two tournaments the last week including the Bisbee’s Black and blue. A week earlier, there was the Los Cabos Tournament sponsored by Marlin Magazine. Soon we’ll have the Pez Vela Tournament coming up here in mid November (www.fishvallarta.com for details) which is always a big local hit and this year marks the 55th year this tournament has been running. The point being these locations schedule tournaments when fishing is at its best! With Yellowfin Tuna, Sailfish, Marlin and Dorado all firing right now you can only imagine how good conditions are right now for the angler looking for a trophy. But the fishing grounds are still deserted, a lingering effect of the bad economy up north, but for those heading out, the best fishing grounds in the world can be yours almost alone!
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