Dorado at Marietta Islands, Jack Crevalls / Rooster Fish Invasion

Dorado at Marietta Islands, Jack Crevalls / Rooster Fish Invasion

Written by Stan Gabruk

Winter has arrived

As we move deeper into winter fishing we find we still have Dorado in the area as water temperatures begin to drop below 80 degrees. Sailfish, Marlin and Yellow fin Tuna are for the most part heading south for the winter. But the Tres Maria Islands are still rockin with Monster Yellowfin. Who says the fun stops when the water temperatures drop?

We all know, or should know by now that just after the New Year’s Holiday the water temperatures drop like a rock and you can set you watch by it. This is why Dorado at the Marietta Islands is such a surprise to me as they´re running in the mid twenty pound range. Red Snappers (25 lbs) are increasing in numbers, but still not a stable as yet. Sierra Mackerals in the 25 lb range are beginning to  take a foot hold in the bay and surrounding areas like the islands. Rooster fish have been hanging in there anywhere from 35 to50 lbs and they´ll hit just about anything. Google eyes are still their favorites though. With plenty of live bait around the Marietta Islands there is plenty of action to be had in an eight hour day. Great action for anyone, but not too stiff for younger anglers on vacation.

Inside the bay we´re seeing the smaller gamefish pick up again. While still mostly Jack Crevalls and Sierra Mackerals, there are also Skip Jacks in the 25 lb range, Smaller Dorado in the 15 lb range, but throw them back for next year. Snappers around the rocks and structure. Snook can still be found at the river mouths in Nuevo and around Boca Tomatlan. Don´t forget about the surf fishing action, Rooster fish are hitting baits in Nuevo Vallarta. So if you´re in one of those nice hotels cast some iron in front of the resort and see what happens. Yelapa this year has been a machine for fishing and the area is still full of football YF Tuna in the 40 to 50 lb range if you´re lucky. Again live bait is king, Google eyes, blue runners are doing the trick.  

Corbeteña and El Banco will be settling down for the rest of the year.  Still there are some great sized Curbera Snappers being boated in the 55 lb range. There are also still some striped Marlin in the area, but kinda scarce as the water temperatures drop. Amber Jacks in the 40 lb range, Jack Crevalls, Football Yellowfin Tuna, Bonito, pretty much the same species as the Marietta Islands.

The area near Punta Mita is still showing action around the reefs at Anclote near Sayulita. Rooster fish as well and if you have the notion up near San Pancho you´ll  find Sailfish, but this is a ten hour day amigos. Hit it while you can here, this will surely change in the next week or so.

As we settle into winter fishing, tourism is picking up so it all balances out I guess. While you won´t be finding any Bucket List fishing at the moment, the action is great. And if you have never felt the pull of a Jack Crevall you´d be surprised how strong a fighter these fish are. Not exactly the blue plate special somehow the Marinaros have found ways to make then taste great. So give them to the crew, they´ll thank you for them.

Until next time don’t forget to kiss your fish and remember at Master Baiter’s Sportfishing & Tackle “ We Won’t Jerk You Around”!

Master Baiter´s has changed locations in Marina Vallarta and are now near Victors Café Te Cuba and will be opening soon. Look for me at the least traveled end of Marina Vallarta and I will be there in my new place! Everyone coming by to see my new location will  get a FREE CITY OR JUNGLE TOUR!  So I expect to see you all at my shop soon!Master Baiters is still the only real fishing company in Marina Vallarta with its own exclusive boats that are reliable, fast, English Speaking, fish catching professionals!  Questions on any subject: feel free to ask at my email: CatchFish@MasterBaiters.com.mx Web page:  www.MasterBaiters.com.mx or call me directly locally at: (044) 322 779 75 71 or if roaming: 011 52 1 322 779 75 71 (this is my cell phone directly until the shop phone is working). You can come be a ¨Fan¨ on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Master-Baiters-Sportfishing-Tackle/88817121325 Facebook Fans get special perks you won´t find in my reports.

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