Fishing Puerto Fishing Vallarta Enters Spring Conditions
For months now we’ve been trying to figure out what’s happening in our world famous fishing grounds of Puerto Vallarta in the Bay of Banderas! With the rapid switch from La Nina, to El Nino and back again to La Nina condition, to say the seasons expectations have changed would be an understatement. All the normal rules and indicators, helping to predict the coming fishing conditions are failing us miserably. Normally we begin to start seeing Sailfish return to the area in March, but not this year. Normally we can expect some great bottom fishing with the colder water temperatures, but not this year. So we’re going from day to day and doing our best as we move into the spring breeding season. What does this mean? Well, it means smaller species, for now, but this will change soon. The important thing right now is to take advantage of the present conditions and go for the ‘Action Fishing’, Yeha!
Corbetena this week, once again was less than spectacular and frankly very few boats have been heading out this way. With lingering dirty water and cool water temperatures at 67 degrees, Corbetena isn’t your best bang for your fishing dollar right now. Having said that, for the person looking for larger species, we’ve seen ‘some’ Striped Marlin boated there this week. Now only a few and they were the result of a full day of trolling. But the fact they’re out there as the water temperatures will be warming by the day, means Striped Marlin could be here for a while. Those thinking bottom fishing is a great alternative, you’d be right. But not right now as we’ve seen the bottom fishing fall a little flat when it comes to action. There are fields of Jack Crevalle’s over 40 lbs., but you can find those in the bay. If the water cleans up a bit and we have blue water conditions, that could change things, but for now, we’re stuck with the dirty water. To be completely fair and honest, dirty water in late March is normal. Hopefully this will be short lived. As far as El Banco goes, it’s a vacuum when it comes to information. With very few anglers heading in this direction, it may be worth a shot, but you’d be rolling the dice amigos. Stay tuned…
From El Morro to Punta Mita or Punta Nayarit as it’s called now, the same dirty water conditions are still in play. There are Jack Crevalle’s and Bonito in the areas as you’d expect. But once again, you don’t need a 8-hour trip to catch what’s in the bay. Normally bottom fishing off the reefs behind the Marietta Islands are a great option. For now the bottom fishing has been less than satisfying. But even then, you can be surprised. One interesting thing, north of Carrilleros there have been some Roosterfish boated. So we’ve only seen this for a day or two and north of Sayulita the water is a little cleaner closer to shore. Feeling lucky?
Inside the bay, the song remains the same. Jack Crevalle’s of course are the primary players. But here’s a little secret, Jacks appear to be in a breeding situation, in closer to shore they may or may not take bait. It’s frustrating to see them in the water and they ignore your ‘presentation’ as Marlin Mag calls your bait. Now if you head out to the center of the bay, out in the direction of the Marietta islands, right at the opening of the bay, you’ll have much better luck. Bonito are in a good size range at 20 lbs, great tasting, but sometimes they’re not taking baits as well. Why, your guess is as good as mine. On the positive side things are looking up a bit with the Roosterfish and Jacks of larger size running the area. Like I said, we’re in a seasonal change as Spring Fever hits the locals in the bay. I suggest six hours, the four-hour trips won’t get you to where the Jack Crevalle’s are larger and more active, so keep this in mind. With Jack Crevalle’s, Sierra Mackerels, Bonito, Skip Jack Tuna and all the other players, this is always great fishing in PV if you can open your mind a little.
The bite is still about the same, surprisingly enough the bite has been about 09:30 or later for a few months now, very strange indeed. The water is dirty everywhere, this should change soon. With water temperatures still at 67 degrees, we’d expect the bottom fishing, the Snappers, Sea Bass and others should be in the bay and at the Marietta Islands. Hopefully this will pickup soon. But for now, look for some positive signs before blowing your fuel dollar on iffy prospects. We know live bait is always king, but this week the best bait has been lures. Running digging baits like Rapalas of purple coloring. Also red with white and Dorado colors. Black with yellow or green are a great option as well. Hopefully this will give you a leg up. If you head out into the bay, you’ll catch fish if you follow what I’ve laid out here amigos.
Until next week, don’t forget to kiss your fish!
Written by Stan Gabruk
Web page: www.MasterBaiters.com.mx, Local Phone at: Our international number is: +52 322 2091128. #MasterBaitersSportfishing on Instagram, Facebook: Master Baiter’s Sportfishing & Tackle. Thetrademark Master Baiter’s ® Sportfishing and Tackle is protected under trademark law and is the sole property of Stan Gabruk
