Fishing in Puerto Vallarta, The Big Game / Trophy Fish are Here, Where are You?

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Fishing in Puerto Vallarta, The Big Game / Trophy Fish are Here, Where are You?

Written by Stan Gabruk, owner Master Baiter´s Sportfishing and Tackle

Sportfishing is taking it on the shins in Puerto Vallarta. Bad Economies worldwide and people nervous about what the future may hold has given a lethal Blow to tourism in all of Mexico, not just Puerto Vallarta. This is a challenge to Sportfishing companies like Master Baiter´s Sportfishing and Tackle who has to deal with on a daily basis. But summer is here and the Magic is starting to happen big time at our world famous fishing grounds. What does this mean to you the Sports Fisherman, well it means opportunity at the fishing grounds without crowds. It means cheap packages on hotel rooms with airfare. It means if you have the time, money and can ignore the bad misleading press, you can have the fishing grounds almost to yourself!  Yellowfin Tuna are increasing in population by the day. Black Marlin and Blue Marlin are picking up in abundance daily. Sailfish that were scarce just a few weeks ago have taken over the playground! Dorado in the Bay, The Points of Banderas Bay is doing well! In general, the Magic is happening in our world famous fishing grounds and the season looks very promising. This is it amigos, Moby Dick is in the house!

As we inch deeper and deeper into summer we are beginning to see what we normally expect to see at this time of the year. Yellowfin Tuna are bigger by the day. Right now Corbeteña and El Banco are seeing Yellowfin in the 70 to 225lb range. They´re big for sure, but they are being finicky in the baits they choose. The larger Yellowfin Tuna can be like that, ignoring what they would normally go after, they may take unusual baits or baits you may never suspect they would attack. Right now cedar plugs, Kites, some live bait, all are working well but the secret for this particular moment is Mackerals. Not Sierra Mackerals, don´t get confused, I mean the Mackerals that look like Bonito. If you have one of these on the troll, you got a Tuna! There are also Black Marlin Mostly, but there are some Blue Marlin in the area, well they are in the 500 lb range with some smaller cousins in the area. But they are looking to be ¨woo-ed¨ as well. They prefer live bait, so Google eyes are still worth the time and money in the morning.  Once more both Corbeteña and El Banco are about the same on this one.

The big surprise this week is the fact that the Sailfish have picked up in numbers dramatically. Anywhere from El Banco to Yelapa has a chance for some good sized Sailfish. Now we´ve been waiting for this since March, so they are not early by any means, but we are very happy to have them back. The Marietta Islands, Cabo Corrientes, and the point off Punta Mita is full of larger Sailfish. Hopefully this will continue and I have no reason to think they would not!

If you are looking for Dorado, Mahi Mahi, Dolphin, whatever you want to call them, they are finally more abundant and increasing in size. Naturally the deep water locations are seeing larger Dorado in the 35 to 50lb range.  But in the bay you can find them in the 20 to 25lb range. Yelapa has been a hot spot to check out for Dorado that are fairly close in. Here at Yelapa you will find Skip Jack Tuna, Football Tuna, Mackerals, Jack Crevalls, and maybe even a Sailfish. No telling, but for a short day, this is a hot area for the time being.

Right now if you have the fuel money, you will get just about whatever you could hope for in the area. The bay is strong with smaller fish, naturally. But even these smaller fish are great tasting and not that small! So it´s off the hook out there and well worth your fuel dollar to any location you could hope to head out to. I have not said that for months and months now amigo. For the next five to six months now we should be in the middle of some world class fishing action.

Naturally we are in the middle of the rainy season so the sediment washing down the mountains and into the rivers and streams are naturally putting some dirty water in the bay. For those snorkeling in this stuff, it can be a pain. But for guys like me the trash line that comes along with it is a welcome sight to fisherman. Now once you are in front of the trash line the water is clean and full of fish!

Water conditions are perfect and there is still plenty of bait in the water. All and all these are the conditions we wait for and they are finally here!

Master Baiter’s is starting a new fishing program for those  who want to go fishing when in Puerto Vallarta, but find it hard to squeeze it in when it comes time to make sure they are all having fun. So what my plan is, is to take payments and apply this money to your fishing trip when you come down, when ever that is. Here is the concept, Fishing is expensive and getting more expensive every day with fuel, maintenance cost, salaries and the list goes on. What I am in the process of now is setting up an investment account where I will deposit your money, in your name, and when you do come down, whatever amount you have in your account will go towards your fishing trip. Send a little, send a lot, don´t send anything. But whatever you send forward by week or month, this money is there so you don ´t have to take the hit to your vacation budget for taking a fishing trip. This way you don`t have to feel guilty if the family doesn´t get that tour in or your wifey doesn´t get that new outfit. This way they get what they want and you as the responsible ¨provider¨ can still go fishing and not even notice the money is gone. So smart planning will always make your life easier…  If there is excess money in an account, you can always pull it out or pay it forward to the next trip. Kinda like a lay-away plan for fishing. If you are interested in something of this nature, feel free to contact me at: www.catchfish@44.237.204.92 and we`ll fix you up…..

For those of you thinking of entering our local tournaments from Barra to Manzanillo, Master Baiter’s Captains are the best in Puerto Vallarta with many being multi-tournament winners. We keep our prices down as much as possible for tournaments because we like to be in the action too! So if saving some money and not paying double the regular price of a charter per day appeals to you, then contact me about the tournament you are interested in and we will fix you up with tried and true captains, boats and crews with fresh line, top notch equipment and tackle and of course English speaking, professional crews of course! So come be part of Team Master Baiter’s and find out for yourself that “We Won’t Jerk You Around!”

That’s about it for now, until next week, don´t forget to kiss your fish!

As the oldest fishing company in Puerto Vallarta and the only company with any World Recognized Fishing Championships like the WBS Billfishing Series Grand Champions (2000 and 2001) under our belt. Nobody, but nobody in Puerto Vallarta can come close to us in quality or price when it comes to world class fishing boats. 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!

For questions or suggestions you can reach me at: CatchFish@MasterBaiters.com.mx

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