It’s All About Rooster Fish and Red Snappers, We’re Happy to Have Them!
Written by Stan Gabruk, owner Master Baiter´s Sportfishing and Tackle
It’s still about Rooster Fish and Snappers when it comes to fishing in Puerto Vallarta right now. If you are heading out to the deep water locations of El Banco or Corbeteña, you’d be better off fishing at the Marietta Islands or El Morro. Rooster fish and Snappers have been ranging in the 20 to 70lb range. Those heading out for less than eight hours expecting fish will find very small game fish to choose from at best. Jack Crevalls are being seen less and less, but I did see some today when sailing, should have had a pole with me… But Jacks like cold water, but the water is warming up ever so slightly day by day. So they´re moving out and they have saved many a day fishing for clients and kept my guaranteed charters happy!
First lets get the report out of the way. Like the title says the fishing is mostly about Rooster Fish and Snappers at the Marietta Islands and El Morro, they are taking live bait and lures. Color or size appropriate types make no difference. The one fact that is messing with peoples day is that most people have this thing in their mind that early morning fishing is best. Well if you are on some lake or stream, this may hold true. But here in Puerto Vallarta the bite is a moving target. We’ve been looking at the early stages of a full moon which normally means the bite is early in the morning. But this is not the case and if you pay attention to one thing in this article it is this: The bite is in the afternoon after 1 O’clock and then again about sunset. So you early morning types are going to find the afternoon better for you if you want to boat fish. At the Marietta Islands there have been recent days when you could see the fish under the boat, but they would not take bait for nothing. When this happens there is a very, very good chance that these fish (Roosters and Snappers) are eating jelly fish! At this time of the year they can be found in several areas of the bay and the Marietta Islands or El Morro are no strangers to these conditions. So every day is not on fire fishing wise and then there are days when you can´t get a bait in the water fast enough. Like always it just depends on what you come across and your lucky stars! So there is your report amigos. If you are in the bay. Less than 25 miles out of Marina Vallarta, then you are catching smaller gamefish of Snappers, Sierra Mackerals, Jack Crevalls, Snook and even small Barracudas.
If you do head out to the islands, remember the reef 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.
North of Sayulita there are still smaller Dorado in the area but nothing to get excited about, hand in there they´ll be getting larger soon and moving into the Marietta Island area hopefully soon. But one never knows! Presently up near San Pancho or San Francisco in English you can boat these blue and gold beauties if you have a strong itch to spend some fuel money!
Just forget heading out to El Banco or Corbeteña until the water warms up enough to warrant the trip. Bottom fishing is alright, but for the money you are still better off at the Marietta Islands.
Bait is not an issue, we have plenty of bait fish in the area and have seen the flying fish move in. I expected to see Sailfish or Striped Marlin to move in but this has not happened. I have gotten to the point where I should stop talking about what is normal and just report what is happening. But when things or conditions move outside of normal, then you have to ask yourself why or what is different than previous years. Last year was a La Nina Year, so we know we have El Nino and La Nina is out of our hair for at least a few years. That explains what has happened to the fishing here in Puerto Vallarta and Cabo. We are now moving into the summer fishing season where we should shortly see huge fish. I am keeping my eyes open watching water temps, type of fish coming in or of course not coming in! March is normally the month we see Sailfish move into the area, but it’s now mid April and there have been a few sightings, with nothing being boated. So they are late, but not too late.
As I mentioned earlier, is very difficult to know what we can plan for. With Yellowfin Tuna following the currents, El Banco has not been the hot spot for Yellowfin Tuna it normally is in the summer for the last couple of years! El Banco is fifty miles out of Puerto Vallarta. The currents generally favor El Banco and hits this area dead on. This helps the fishing off what I call the Marlin McDonald’s of the sea. With plenty of bait hanging around the deep and not so deep structure there, if the currents are swinging in the El Banco area we will have huge, Monster Yellowfin Tuna. That goes for Marlin and Sailfish also. But for the record, we get huge Black Marlin, Big Blue Marlin and Sailfish here in the area even if the Yellowfin pass us up…… You will normally see good Yellowfin Tuna Fishing in cabo when the currents are farther west than El Banco, just like the last couple of years!
With few boats at best heading out fishing it is difficult at best to relay information to folks looking for condition and bite information. Master Baiter’s is right there as well with few boats heading out daily. With rising fuel prices and economic conditions night mares are made of, there has been a real down turn in tourism here in Mexico, to be specific Puerto Vallarta!
Remember, the fish don’t care if you show up or not. So if you are going out there go fishing when the bite is happening, not when it is most convenient for you and the family / wife. That way you can get the biggest bang for your fuel buck. Not hear later how you left before the bite even started! If that is the case, and the bite is not at a convenient time for you and the other reasons (people / tours), then you would be better off golfing with that money. I see this happen every day and for now it is best to sleep in and catch fish in the afternoon!
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