Changing Currents, Cold Water, Unpredictable Fishing, It´s Hair Pulling Time!

Changing Currents, Cold Water, Unpredictable Fishing, It´s Hair Pulling Time!

Written by Stan Gabruk of Master Baiter ´s Sportfishing and Tackle

This week the fishing conditions can all be summed up in one word: Unpredictable. Right now you don´t know what you´re going to get out there and I mean anywhere when it comes to our world famous fishing grounds. With red tide, dirty water, cold water, warm currents, blue water outside of the both Corbeteña and El Banco. To use a Gump-ism, Fishing is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you´re going to get! And if you are fishing in Puerto Vallarta those words are ringing true for sure! Bait is not an issue, but if you are targeting a specific species right this moment, you will most likely be disappointed. Those looking to catch fish and have a good day on the water, then this week, this is the person I am talking to in this week’s article. For the high strung types who have to catch Moby Dick, well his cousin may still be out there, but it´s going to cost you time and money with the lucky coming in happy and the unlucky, well you can guess!

I mean it´s just incredible and I can´t remember the last time conditions like this existed. For the last couple of weeks the Rooster fish have been as reliable as the sun coming up. Today, you can hit the Marietta Islands and either come in with a full fish box or it could be empty, just like your hands and your wallet. For the person looking for guarantees when it comes to fishing, you´d be better off Golfing.

Let’s Start with El Banco, for the whole summer El Banco has been less than adequate when it comes to living up to it´s reputation this season and now with all the cold water those heading out this way are crossing their fingers hoping to find some clean blue water. That´s the bad news, the good news is there are Striped Marlin and midsized Dorado in the 45lb range. Now it´s a long way to be taking chances with your fuel dollar so wait to hear a report before you head out. Water temperatures are like all the deep water locations, find blue or clean green water and you´ll more than likely have a day worth remembering. The real challenge here is finding the clean water which is around 78 degrees, perfect for Striped Marlin and Dorado…. There you go, feel like rolling the dice?

Corbeteña, for the whole of fishing’s high season this has been the place to be and it looks like it still is if you´re looking for sizeable fish like Striped Marlin, Dorado, Sailfish, Cubera Snappers and who knows what else you´ll hit out there. Rainbow Runners, Amber Jacks and the list is endless. The only question is what is going to show up? Bait is still not an issue with plenty of Bonito on hand. Now the action for the most part here is 10 to 25 miles southwest of the Rock. Good Luck, a good backup plan would be to fall back on the Marietta Islands and target Rooster Fish. Same deal h ere, cool water, possibly red and dirty so be fueled up and ready to find those finned little frustration dreams.

El Morro and the Marietta Islands, if you want to pull your hair out try and tell a client he may or may not catch fish if he heads hear. One day the fish are striking in frenzies, the next day there´s nothing to be found. Then there are times you`ll find Rooster Fish and they won´t take a bait for love or money! So fishing in PV is not the ¨easy¨ fishing we expect and have become accustomed to. Now fishing in PV is really fishing, you may come in with an empty fuel tank, wallet and fish box! Not good, but there lies the challenge. Are you up for it?? For the thin skinned, if you have high expectations for the Marietta Islands, you just may find yourself disappointed. Roll the dice and see where it takes you.

The bay… wow, the bay has turned into an ugly monster for the moment. Red tide from dead or dying plankton. Dirty water, cold water, I mean could it get any worse out there? The answer to this is actually no, it can´t get any worse than it has been and when the currents settle down, things will get better.  If you are taking in a fishing trip, keep positive and enjoy the day for what it is. Watch some whales if you come across them and don´t sweat it if the fish are smaller than you would like. In the world of fishing there are no guarantees. For now, if you are going to have a cow if you don’t come in with a fish or any kind, then maybe a day on the golf course would be more for you. If you´re like me, then any day on the water is a gift from the heavens! So relax, it´s fishing! Snook at the rive r mouths, Snappers around the rocks and any structure. Sierra Mackerals to ten pounds, Jack Crevalls to 25lbs and the list is a little short for now, stay tuned!

Since you read this far, for the last couple of days I have been rolling the dice as to what the bite is going to do. A few days ago I had a client get down-right upset with me because I sent him out too early and missed the bite. All the previous days the bite was in the morning so we went with that. So when this client got upset, that day the bite was in the mid afternoon. So I start sending boats out later in the morning, around 8:30… Then the bite changed after one day to early and later. So now the bite is 8 in the morning and again about 4:00 in the afternoon. Just far enough for an eight hour trip to the Marietta Islands able to catch the early bite or the late bite, but not both. So this has turned into an unpredictable condition that I cannot predict. So there you are, it´s fishing. If you are up to the challenge and you don´t have thin skin, then once more, it´s worth the trouble, but during this transitional time, high expectations may just breed some monster disappointments. And that is the bottom line, as straight as I can put it.

 

While you are in town don`t forget to visit Marina Vallarta with the ¨other Malicon¨ in Puerto Vallarta! It`s the second most popular tourist attraction in Puerto Vallarta with Restaurant  row and 150 shops of all kinds… I´ll keep an eye out for you!

Until next time, don´t forget to kiss your fish!

Master Baiter´s Sportfishing & Tackle is located in Marina Vallarta on the Boardwalk between the light house and Porto Bellos restaurant. Come by and say hello!  Remember, at Master Baiter´s Sportfishing and Tackle, We Won´t Jerk You Around! If you have any questions on any subject regarding fishing or Puerto Vallarta, feel free to ask at my email: CatchFish@MasterBaiters.com.mx

The trade name Master Baiter’s ® Sportfishing and Tackle is protected under trade mark law and is the sole property of Stan Gabruk.