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Fishing Slows Dramatically, Marlin/Tuna Spread Out, Hot and Cold Fishing, Feeling Lucky?

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

 

Cap[t Chema on Profeta with a beauty of a Sailfish at Punta Mita
Cap[t Chema on Profeta with a beauty of a Sailfish at Punta Mita
Well we’re smack into August now, the water temperatures are about where they should be, plenty of bait and seas have been surprisingly calm. It’s summer fishing and we’re looking at the major species of Yellowfin Tuna, Marlin and Dorado surprising sparse and fickle. Yes there are crazy amounts of bait in the bay, but that many times can be a problem. Recently with all the bait in the bay and surrounding area the “locals” have been hitting dead baits. So it all can make your head spin trying to develop a game plan, but then again, when was a “fish” ever predictable?

Corbetena this week went from warm to lukewarm as Marlin that were all over the area last Wednesday turned into a ghost town by Friday. Last Tuesday the Sailfish population close to the Rock had filtered out and disappeared for the last couple of days. Having said that there are still Black Marlin over 500 lbs, but they’re not cooperating with the fisherman. Sailfish are closer in, closer to the Marietta islands than the rock and yes, they’re a little thin in this area for the last couple of days. Yellowfin tuna are still hanging out, but not coming up and they’re not real hungry. There are of course Bonito to 30 lbs, Cubera Snappers to 55 lbs for the jiggers. Jack Crevalls to 40 lbs and there are a host of other “possible”. All and all, unless you hear some news or read it here, I’d shy away from this area for now. When it comes to El Banco or The Bank in English, nothing new here either so the deep water locations could be better for the moment. Things change quickly, three days and it seems everything changes. Be patient and stay tuned.

The Marietta Islands are much the same as last week, Jack Crevalls to 30 lbs, Bonito to 30 lbs, Possible Sailfish if lucky. There have been small Dorado in the area, but let the babies and females go amigos to keep the fish numbers up. Plenty of reef fish, but stay off the reefs these days as there are always water sports guys out there around the Island to make sure there are not too many people in the protected reserve areas. Now if you’re around Punta Mita, you had a great week, well up until Wednesday that is. The Sailfish population was thick and hungry. Drop any bait in the water and a Sailfish would hit it in a bling of an eye. Sadly it’s not like that now, but with the local rains there have been some Dorado of nice size around any floating debris, stump, you name it. Again, worth a try as the Sails will be back soon and you could be there at the right time, or maybe not, feeling lucky?

05 20 2016 Adrianas 8 hrs b Adjusted 600 pxls MBTextInside the bay we’re still seeing the same old reliable bay fishing. For the moment fishing inside the bay beats every other fishing area around amigo. For the last year what was almost an impossibility for the many, many years I’ve been here, Sailfish at Los Arcos, has now become normal. Yes it’s better Sailfish “fishing” in the bay than the deep water locations, so save some money and have some fun amigos. Dorado are in this area as well anywhere from 5 lbs (babies don’t you dare keep these) to about twenty pounds. To be fair if you can find a log or stump you hit the jackpot my friend, there will be Dorado up the “what-ever” out there. Tuna, yes small Skip Jack or possible “football” roaming the area near Yelapa with it’s deep water areas. Needle fish are picking up in numbers and are fun to catch, good eating also. Jack Crevalls are still hanging in the warm water, we won’t complain as many people get their arm burning with these reliable species. Yes, take six hours, maybe do some snorkeling, make a day of it and you won’t go wrong. A six hour trip in the bay right now is your best bang for your fishing buck, but be aware this will change rapidly and as usual the bite will be  happening in the next day or so. Be sure to have the latest info before heading out, it could save your day and a lot of fuel money.

One thing about world class fishing is “you never know what you’re going to get” to quote Forest Gump. This week we’ve seen El Banco just stop performing, don’t waste your time. Yet we see Corbetena continue to be its reliable self. Water is super blue and there is plenty of bait in the area so the fishing is great, not perfect, but what is?

Our new Downtown Store on the Malicon or Boardwalk in Spanish
Our new Downtown Store on the Malicon or Boardwalk in Spanish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First thing that comes to my mind it the fact water temperatures have increased to 86 from 84 in one week, this is not bad, but we don’t want it any warmer for now. Marlin are still roaming around the Corbetena area but they’re not concentrated in any one place. Rather Black Marlin are roaming anywhere from the “rock” to areas north about eight miles. The Marlin are both blue and black running anywhere from 300 to over 500 lbs. One secret here is dead bait, yes dead bait which is a little surprising with all the live bait in the area. Another secret is some days there are Skip Jack Tuna (Skippies) in the area, some days they’re not. Skippies are working well as far as live bait goes, so if you can make bait, don’t delay. If you can’t use Iguana Lures of yellow and green with black accents. They work well and with all the five pound Dorado in this area it’s a perfect bait. Dorado are great bait and Marlin and Tuna love them. The reason we don’t use Dorado as a trolled bait is they die and just spin. That’s not a good thing. They can’t handle the volume of water I guess. Yellowfin Tuna are still in the area and jumping about one mile north of Corbetena. Now remember fish move, so start here and let me know how you do! Yellowfin are running in the 100 lb mark but they are only taking baits when they come up. Capt Cesar of Magnifico tells me that if you’re lucky enough to be in the area they come up in, anything is possible. Feeling lucky? If you’re in the area, Tuna and Marlin are not bad options! Sailfish are also hanging out in the area but they’re kinda sparse. Plenty of bait, but that doesn’t go for Skippies which may or may not be around the rock. If you can make bait before you get to Corbetena it’s cheap insurance. I could spend some time on El Banco or The Bank in English, but it’s not happening, enough said.

The Red Star Marks the new location on the Malicon right next to Sr.frogs at the Light House or El Faro
The Red Star Marks the new location on the Malicon right next to Sr.frogs at the Light House or El Faro
Carmen our newest employee
Carmen our newest employee

The area around the Marietta Islands have been less than exciting lately unless you’re looking for Sailfish and they’re about six miles or so before you come to Corbetena or about five miles out from the islands. Lots and lots of small 5 lb Dorado, too small to keep, but Mucho! It was about this time last year when we finally saw the Dorado numbers pick up so cross your fingers hoping for their big brothers to show up. Don’t ever keep females or Dorado under ten pounds and help keep the numbers from dropping any worse than they are. FYI we’ve seen long liners raise their ugly heads again and they many times have guns to protect their illegal long lines. It would be nice if there was some enforcement, but it’s Mexico and everything has a price, no matter what’s good for the general population and the fishing industry as a whole. Not too much happening around the Marietta Islands. Needle fish to 25 lbs., Jack Crevalls to 40 lbs. and of course there are always reef species. All and all not a great time to visit this area. Now if you are heading to the point of Punta Mita there have been Marlin about twelve miles off the point (take a heading of 300 to 320) and be there at mid-day, can’t hurt. Dorado are in the area as well, but they’re small as well. This will change soon with the numbers of smaller Dorado increasing the lager family members should be showing up soon, stay tuned.

Inside the bay is the same old story. Plenty of smaller species to choose from. Jack Crevalls of course to 35 lbs. or larger. Sierra Mackerel’s surprisingly enough are still in the area at around 15 to 20 lb maximum. Normally a cold water fish like Jack Crevalls they will defy explanation. Sailfish are still in front of Los Arcos as are an incredible amount of baby Dorado feeding on any trash line there may be. It’s been a funny year we haven’t see too much rain so we’re not getting the trash line. Now yes we are getting rain, just not enough to really wash the local mountains of leave, twigs, berries, seeds, you name it they’ll eat it. There has been Sailfish around Nuevo Vallarta as well believe it or not, but don’t hold your breath waiting on a strike. The Football Yellowfin Tuna we had last couple of weeks around Yelapa have bugged out. As always the action in the bay is still great by any stretch of the imagination and well worth the expense. Which reminds me, we can make it a fishing trip, snorkeling trip and who knows, a Yelapa trip to cook your catch on the beach with a cold beer. Ask me more about this option, it’s like two trips in one.

As mentioned earlier the water temperatures are at 86 degrees which is a neutral as it doesn’t really affect anything but it will if starts to get warmer. The bite has been a moving target and frankly hard to predict these days. If you’re at the fishing grounds you choose before 9 it should serve you well. But Tuna are coming up at any time for a short, short while. You will have to have the luck of the Irish but stranger things have happened. One guy came in the other day and caught it perfect for fifteen minutes, got a 100 pounder YF Tuna. As far as baits go, dead bait seems to be the bait of choice lately. With plenty of Blue and Green runners, Goggle Eyes and flying fish to me it’s surprising that dead bait and lures are working best. Lures, of course we’re still talking as mentioned earlier of Iguanas, but Cedar plugs are worth a shot with the YF Tuna around Corbetena. 

Special Announcement: For all my readers and friends Master Baiter’s has opened another location, this time on the Malicon next to Sr. Frogs at the light house or El Faro. We have the same great shirts, same great fishing trips and now we have another new employee Carmen. I’ll be posting pictures and as soon as I can figure this all out we’ll have a Grand Opening… Master Baiter’s on the Malicon… kinda has a ring to it don’t you think? We’ll be carrying more product and we hope you come by and say hello. We will keep the marina location as I can’t imagine not having a presence in the Marina. We vacated the location we had on Basillo Badillo and Insurgentes. They kept the Mural, they did change the company name, but the guy who used to work for me is in that location now working for my competition so don’t be fooled. Even if the guy inside is wearing a Master Baiter’s shirt, he is not with me or Master Baiter’s. Come by! And remember at Master Baiter’s we won’t sell you a timeshare!

Until next week, Don´t forget to kiss Your Fish!

Master Baiter´s is located in Marina Vallarta between docks A and B on the boardwalk

Web page:  www.MasterBaiters.com.mx , Local Phone at: (044) 322 779 75 71 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.