“Give it a try” Fishing, Drastic Drop in Water Temps
“Give it a try” Fishing, Drastic Drop in Water Temps
Written by: Stan Gabruk owner of Master Baiter´s Sportfishing & Tackle
We’ve had a roller coaster week when it comes to fishing in our world famous Bay of Banderas. We’ve been pretty lucky with relatively warm water temperatures lingering later than usual into late January. This week we’ve seen dramatic changes in water temperatures which means we’re square in the middle of winter fishing with cold water species picking up in numbers as the warm water species bug out. While not surprising or devastating it doesn’t stop people from coming into the shop looking for Moby Dick! Human High Season and Fishing High Season are at opposite ends of the calendar amigos!
We all know that Corbetena and El Banco are world famous locations to check off that Bucket List fish you’ve dreamed of. But for the next four or five months we’ll be looking at completely different species. Smaller species but no less fun to catch. Normally for some strange reason we will have freak occurrences of Sailfish north of San Pancho. Species like Cubera Snappers, Amber Jacks, Bonito, Jack Crevalls to name a few will be taking over the rock and El Banco. Now most people don’t head out 35 miles for species you can readily catch at the Marietta Islands or even closer in. That means for the most part people will be ignoring these famous deep water locations. For those still hoping to find a stray Striped Marlin or Sailfish can still have them if you’re willing to “give it a try”. For those with less disposable income I’d suggest shorter days and smaller species expectations. I have been getting reports of even Dorado at Corbetena, but that would be one out of five boats for the whole day. Not a good percentage of success if you ask me. So for now your best bang for your fishing dollar, for the average person that is, would be closer in, straight up. So if you’re lucky give it a shot, if on a budget save your money on a shorter day with plenty of action. Then tell the wife it’s because you want to be with her and not spend the whole day away. If she buys that let me know, it never worked for me!
Again it’s that time of the year when the area around the Marietta Islands will once again come to life as they are now. We’ve seen Amberjacks to 45 lbs around the Marietta Islands andEl Morro. Pompano are also picking up in numbers and size to 30 lbs, Jack Crevalls are picking Up in numbers again. Red Snappers are a possible in the 10 to 25 lb range, maybe larger. Rooster fish normally follow Sardines into the area, but we’ve seen this general rule fall apart all last year so you can’t really get excited about the Sardines moving in. What is exciting is there have been Spinner Dolphin around the area with Yellowfin Tuna Footballs at about 40 lbs running with them! But the simple fact is when you see Spinners there is most likely Football Tuna running with them. It’s Not a perfect rule, but it works. We’ve seen some smaller Blue and Striped Marlin cruising the area about three to seven miles off shore so keep your eyes peeled. For those looking for some great action with hopes of a Sail or Striped Marlin then “give it a try” amigos.
Inside the bay we’re still firing on all cylinders! Skip Jack Tuna are running large in the bay at 15 lbs, but they’re full of these red Krill Squids and Shrimps or what I call “Whale Chowder”. It’s like a cloud where the Whales are just swimming with their mouth open in a “fishy” smorgasbord! Put the massive Sardine bait balls along the flying fish and you’ve got fish heaven in the bay. Sailfish are also feeding on this abundance of bait as is every other fish in the bay. Having said that Jack Crevalls are in the 30 to 50 lb range, Bonito to 35 lbs, Red Snappers are 20 lbs around structure or in schools in the bay. Black Bass, yes I said Bass at 20 lbs or larger are at the Ameca River mouth just a few minutes by boat from Marina Vallarta. When the swells calm down and the shore break is smaller there is a great chance you’ll find good sized Rooster Fish as well. Sierra Mackerels to 15 lbs are almost automatic. Yes there’s plenty of action to be had in a four to six hour fishing trip amigos. We may be sliding into Winter Fishing now, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have a great day fishing, but don’t expect Moby, he’s vacationing in Costa Rica right about now.
As mentioned we’ve seen massive amounts of bait move into the bay, that’s the biggest reason Whales hang out here! Flying fish of three inches are inside the bay as well, Google Eyes are working well, but dead bait is also working, go figure. Remember if using squid jigs, red is the color to use. Water temperatures have dropped significantly this week from 74 degrees to 64 degrees. That is a monster change and explains the cool weather we’ve been having. When this happens it’s like the closing curtain on summer fishing. You don’t have to like it, but there’s nothing you can do about it. The bite once again due to tidal movements is still mid to late morning! Figure being where you want to be around 09:30 and hope for the best. There are days when overstuffed fish will not take baits so the bite is a generality depending on if the fish in the area want to take a look at your presentation.
Tip of the week: For all my local friends, we’ve all complained about the long liners coming into the area and setting their illegal long lines in the best fishing areas. You ever wonder how they know where to set their long lines? Well it’s called “listening to the radio”! As we all get fish, we call out the location to our friends on other boats to come and join the party. Guess who is listening, the Long Liners of course. When sharing your fish location information, stop using the radio and call your friends… ask them for their number and call them, don’t announce this information on the radio or you’ll soon have a bunch of illegals infringing on YOUR fishing grounds amigo. So keep this in mind, share info with your cell phone, cut the Long Liners out and we’ll all have better fishing…
Until next week, Don’t forget to kiss Your Fish!
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
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