Fishing Unchanged, Snappers, Rooster Fish, Jack Crevalls Dominate The Marietta Islands and El Morro!

Fishing Unchanged, Snappers, Rooster Fish, Jack Crevalls Dominate The Marietta Islands and El Morro!

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

Here in Puerto Vallarta we are in a holding pattern. It’s not quite winter fishing and we’re still waiting on the summer, but none the less the fishing is still great if you can find the time and money to head out to the Marietta Islands. If you do find yourself there you will come back in with something for the dinner table.  Blue Water and favorable water temperatures are still about the same as last week and basically little has changed. The days are still great and the seas have been smooth for those sea sick types.  There is plenty of bait fish in the water now. Flying fish, Marlins favorite food, have turned up and is a sign of positive currents from the south. The conditions couldn’t be better for fishing, we just need the fish now!

Like I just mentioned, the song remains the same this week with nothing much different to report from last week. The water temperatures are hovering in the 75 degree range and the water is full of bait fish. The water has cleared up and is now a perfect clear blue outside the bay. In the bay the water is ¨clear green¨. The conditions are right for fishing and improving daily, all we need now if more fish to move in.

The good news this week is that Dorado have finally showed up in the bay. Now don´t get your motor revved up, they are still on the small side. I am just happy to have them moving in, it was July last year before we saw any Dorado of any size and they’re yet to move in with any numbers to speak of…. It’s too early to make a call, stay tuned for more info as the days go by.

If you’re not bottom fishing at El Banco or Corbeteña, they you’re better off fishing closer in. Sailfish are still being sighted, but no hook-ups. Cubera Snappers, Rainbow Runners, Amber Jack, Jack Crevalls and others are still here at the deep water locations. But like last week, your fuel dollar is better spent staying closer in.

El Morro and the Marietta Islands are still the place to be. But the reef located in between is still being patrolled by the navy and I heard one boat was cited for fishing in a non-fishing / restricted zone. The ticket was $1,500.00 usd equivalent in pesos. Not fun for the captain or the clients. If you were out in the area of either of the islands the Rooster fish are still running in the 40 to 70lb range.  Red Snappers and Cubera Snappers are still abundant, even more abundant than last week and they’re running in the 20 to 45lb range.  Good fighting size if you’re using light tackle. With plenty of bait in the water how you are presenting your bait will make a difference.  Some are using lure skirts just off the nose of the bait. Others are using lures of Yellow, Pink, and purple combinations. Silver Diamond Jigs are working well also. It just depends on the day so make sure you have a full selection of lures on hand.

North of Punta Mita is the other story, at Sayulita there are still larger Rooster fish around the structure areas, Snappers as well. Again, for now they are the dominant species in the area. There have been some very small Dorado in off the point of Punta Mita. Many of the captains have complained about the long liners. But there is nothing we can do about it and the navy is too busy patrolling the reef to take any real and useful action that will actually help the fishing conditions. If you head farther north past San Francisco or San Pancho in Spanish there are larger Dorado, but they’ve been there for weeks and for some reason have not filtered down this way. Stay tuned….

The bay still has the winter reliable of Jack Crevalls, Sierra Mackerals (but it looks like they may be moving out with the warmer water coming in), Smaller Snappers around the rocks. Snook are mostly ignored for some reasons yet are great tasting white meat fish! All you have to do to get these is hang around the openings of the river mouths so if you’re in the area, throw out a diamond jig and see what happens…

One thing is we have seen flying fish move into the area and this is the favorite food for Sailfish and Marlin. With a little luck and some hungry fish in the area we may finally see the Sailfish move in and they would be a welcome sight for all of us. Keep your fingers and toes crossed. It should not be long now before we switch gears and find we have a whole new set of game moving into the area.

I have been trying not to mention the Tres Maria Islands since those heading out to the islands are being taken in and kinda arrested… What does that mean, well they will bring you in to the islands and make you wish you never decided to stretch the envelope after it has been stretched as tight as it can get. You see these are prison islands and the drug cartel types are being placed on these islands since they can´t find a way off the island even if the doors are left open on the jail house! So don’t temp fate and go where you know you should not be! Those bloody Decks cowboys are finding out why the old timers were not heading out to this restricted area… Funny how t hose with experience were told they were just old farts telling those who would listen not to head out this way. I guess some people can’t learn from others experiences.

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. We work for your business which explains why seventy percent of my business at Master Baiter´s is return business! You work hard for your precious vacation, money is hard enough to come by, you don´t need to worry about the companies you are dealing with! 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!

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

Remember, if you have any questions or suggestions you can reach me at: www.MasterBaiters.com.mx or 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.  Always ask to speak with Stan to insure product quality and to insure you are working with the true Master Baiter´s ® and not an imposter