Finally, Large Yellowfin Tuna Return to El Banco

                        Finally, Large Yellowfin Tuna Return to El Banco

Written by: Stan Gabruk owner of Master Baiter´s Sportfishing & Tackle

I have deliberately not talked much about El Nino conditions as they existed this year because it can be depressing to a guy like me. A regular occurrence every three to seven years, El Nino sends warm currents farther out to sea than normal. This means our local fishing grounds can´t enjoy the benefits of migrating Dorado or Yellowfin tuna in our area. Fishing reports from San Diego and even Catalina have been full of Dorado photos as well as Yellowfin Tuna who thrive in warmer water temps. Just looking at those reports got under my skin with no relief as there is little you can do about Mother Nature and her ways. But it looks like El Nino is pulling back, the water temperatures up north have began cooling down and we´re seeing our normal Summer Species return to the local Fishing Grounds. This week we´ve seen Large Yellowfin Tuna return running anywhere between 125 to 200 lbs at El Banco. For the moment YF Tuna at Corbeteña is not happening, but anything can change in a heartbeat and usually does. For those looking to boat a trophy sized Yellowfin Tuna, now is your chance.

After another week that witnessed yet another Hurricane pass PV, we´re seeing larger Dorado and Yellowfin Tuna return to the Bay of Banderas. They may be late in the season, but they´re here and we´re glad for that. Since we´re talking about El Banco, the Tuna turned up a few days ago unannounced. For the moment there is no need to head to the Tres Maria Islands and poach the islands when you can find the same fish, maybe a smidge smaller at El Banco. That’s the good news, but other than the occasional Marlin or Sailfish, Yellowfin is the primary player around the high spots. Dorado are just now starting to move in so it´s hard to tell the size ranges, but the ones boated there recently have all been in the 30 to 40 lb range. If you´re targeting Larger Yellowfin, the only place to find them for the moment is El Banco. Locals Speculate there has been no real visitors to El Banco and that the lack of fishing boats in the area could be one reason Yellowfin are there now. Who knows, we´re just plickeled Tink they´re back!

Since Corbeteña is only twenty five miles to the south, you´d think Yellowfin Tuna would here as well, but you´d be like me, wrong! Now I’m not saying YF Tuna are not on the way there right now, I´m just saying yesterday they weren´t there to be found, but tomorrow is another day amigo. Still if the draw of Black and Blue Marlin gets your heart pounding then you´re in luck. If you´re targeting Marlin then Corbeteña has been good for about three to five being boated per day, which is great since we´re only seeing about that many boats a day around our world famous Corbeteña. Dorado to 50 lbs possible, but the average is still between 35 and 40 lbs. Large and hungry Sailfish, Cubera Snappers for the bottom fishing guys, but don´t be surprised if they take trolled bait. Rainbow runners, a shot a Wahoo and smaller Yellowfin in the 50 lb range, but I expect this to change in quick order. Perfect conditions with blue water, plenty of bait and smooth seas makes Corbeteña a primary choice that will only get better by the day.

El Morro and the Marietta Islands are showing more signs of life. Sailfish are moving back in, Dorado are available in the 25 lb range, Rooster fish have made an appearance around El Morro and the Marietta Islands, but don´t hold your breath. Skip Jack tuna in the 30 lb range, Needle fish and maybe some smaller Dorado if lucky. Compared to the Point of Punta Mita where Sailfish and Dorado have been all but automatic, you´ll have to make a morning decision as both are toss ups when determining which is preferable.

The bay is great, Skip Jack Tuna are abundant as are Bonito. If around the Yelapa area for some reason there are football sized Tuna to 50 lbs. Jack Crevalls, small Dorado to 25 lbs and Sailfish around La Cruz round off the bay fishing experience. There are tons of fish in the bay now, there is no reason to avoid the bay on short trips now. Looking for some fun, short day and plenty of fish to choose from, take a panga for six hours, you´ll be glad you did!

The water is blue, water temps are perfect for every species we hope for and the abundant bait in the form of Flying fish, Goggle Eyes, Bullet bonito and more insure your fishing day. Make sure you´re carrying lures on your boat of rainbow colors because Dorado are preferring lures of yellow, Pink or combination of rainbow colors to live bait for some reason. Marlin on the other hand are only hitting Skip jack Tuna or Bonito baits, commonly grouped together as ¨chorras¨ are the only live bait working for them. Naturally running at least one lure is always a good idea so give it a shot. The bite should be happening in the early morning hours, but the cloud cover blocking the moon light has messed with bite so for a few days the bite was happening around 11:00 a.m. Now it looks like the bite is stretching from 9 a.m. to about 2:00 p.m. Wide open times I know, but if you use this info it can maximize your fishing experience and help to make sure you´re at the fishing grounds at the right time. Hope this helps.

Since this is the newsletter version of my weekly fishing report that is published in the local papers and web sites I can expand a little on what I expect to happen in the next several weeks. As mentioned in the beginning of this article, El Nino years where our warm water currents by-pass PV and head directly to Southern California and all points north brought with it our Yellowfin Tuna and Dorado. As a result our Dorado and Yellowfin Tuna fishing, excluding the fisheries the poachers call home, are finally returning to our ¨neighborhood¨. From this point forward we should have larger Yellowfin Tuna in the area until the end of the year. Corbeteña should start firing sometime this week, but fish are literally a moving target, so anything is positive, remember the pendulum swings both ways, but I am optimistic the best of our fishing season is in front of us. So if you´ve been waiting for YF Tuna, then your wait is over so reserve now for the holidays or you could find the best boats are booked. With all the Cabo traffic for fishing coming to PV we´re finding demand high and supply short. So when you know you`re coming down, contact your favorite fishing company and lock in a date or you may have trouble when you get here… just a little FYI.

My utility man Jaime was walking around Marina Vallarta in the early morning last Sunday Morning about 8:00a.m. And noticed this family of 5, pale as ghost looking confused. Jaime being the friendly type brought them a copy of the PVMirror and asked if he could be of any assistance. It´s the sort of thing tactic the timeshare pirates use, so you´re mostly assured folks like this will believe the same and bolt. Never the less, Jaime asked and was greeted with a pleasant response. The folks ASKED if we knew anything about fishing and we of course said yes. At that point they started firing questions like a machine gun about what I would consider the most basic of questions. It reminded me of how few people in the world actually have an understanding of World class Sportfishing. And once again I am reminded that everyday folks are P.V.´s ¨Bread and Butter¨. These trusting people in Mexico, for the first time I might add to timeshare pirates are fresh meat. I constantly warn people to make sure they understand and know exactly what they´re purchasing. If for some reason the product is not what you were led to believe or worse, the product was never delivered, you have a legal defense as a tourist and resident alike. Profeco (Pro-fek.O) 225-0000 or 225-0018. The first people you should call are the ¨business police¨ or Regalementos at 226-8080. You also have the Tourism Protection folks at 223-2500 Ext. 230 and 232. I suggest you have a person who speaks Spanish help with the phone call so there is no misunderstandings with the language barrier. If you are abused by some timeshare pirate or other person don´t be afraid of the police coming. The perception or belief North Americans have about the police in PV is skewed. They are here to help and tourism in PV is very important to us all. In the fishing industry types like this will deter folks from going out on a boat which of course hurts all the water tourism or tour companies. Now you are armed with information that will protect you from the tourism abusers. . . Use it well!

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 between docks A and B on the boardwalk. Email your Questions to me at: CatchFish@MasterBaiters.com.mx  Web page:  www.MasterBaiters.com.mx , Local Phone at: (044) 322 779 75 71 or if roaming: 011 52 1 322 779 75 71 cell phone direct Facebook: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Master-Baiters-Sportfishing-Tackle/88817121325 The trade name Master Baiter’s ® Sportfishing and Tackle is protected under trade mark law and is the sole property of Stan Gabruk.

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