OK, This is Fishing’s High Season, Sailfish, Marlin, Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna, It’s As Good As It Gets!

OK, This is Fishing’s High Season, Sailfish, Marlin, Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna, It’s As Good As It Gets!

By Stan Gabruk

 

Ok, this is it, the highest part of High Season for fishing in PV. As tourism literally comes to a halt, strangely enough this is the best part of the year to be in Puerto Vallarta’s world famous fishing grounds if you’re an angler with an eye on boating a world class gamefish worth mounting! Water temperatures are a little warm, but nothing is ever perfect. We saw some more rain this week so the trash line is working. Yellowfin Tuna are still abundant in the bay ranging from small to ridiculous for the bay, unusual to say the least. Black Marlin are increasing in size and abundance, Sailfish are picking up and freakishly strong in the bay, not normal. Rooster fish move into the Marietta Islands, Dorado is still surprisingly scarce for this time of the year and Yellowfin Tuna outside of the bay may be a little disappointing, but they are there for those who have the time and fuel dollars. So you want a world class, possible world record fish, then get off your keester and get your butt down here, it’s time to rock!

In reality this week the story is much the same as last week, and hopefully will be consistent for next week. May sound boring, but in reality when things are working, it’s anything but boring. Inside the bay for instance is doing the weird and unusual. For the last three to four weeks I have been telling you that in the bay you can boat large Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna in the 15 to 100 lb range in front of Yelapa. Yes, I know I tell you every year that catching Yellowfin Tuna and Sailfish in the bay is impossible and not to believe some low rent promoter shaking you down. But for now, a four hour day trip is worth its weight in gold.

The Marietta Islands have been in neutral and, well, less than exciting. Last week we had Rooster Fish move in and to be honest I will never figure out the migration habits of these fish. It seems they follow the bait and the bait has moved in, in the form of Sardines. They are getting thick around the Marietta Islands and El Morro. While Sailfish may be abundant and have been for several weeks, the Sardines are bringing in fish. Bonito, Amber Jack, Snappers, Skip Jack Tuna, Rooster fish to forty pounds all make this area worthwhile for the person with a short budget looking for action.

Corbetena this week has been hot and cold like always. Water is blue, water temperatures can  border on 90 degrees sending fish to lower levels to moderate body temps, but there are Yellowfin Tuna to 180 lbs, Black Marlin to 700 lbs, Sailfish to over 100 lbs and the ever  present  Cubera Snappers are still between fifty and sixty five pounds. All and all worth the distance and expense. If you are at the rock and there is no action, don’t be afraid to venture out a little and you will always find more of what eer is out there.

El Banco is still producing, but the distance is the problem. Why go to The Bank when you have the same conditions at Corbetena? As long as you remember these fish can move hundreds  of miles a day, those not afraid of the gas gauge will definitely find what they are looking from anywhere from Corbetena to El Banco. Remember the whole area is alive with action of a world class nature, so troll from one location to the other and you could find a new location to mark on your GPS amigo.

For now there are almost no boats going out in the mornings, no kidding. Tourism is down, the fishing is great and the fishing grounds are empty. The economy issues and the unfounded rumors about Puerto Vallarta has created an opportunity that will not exist once the world gets financially sound and the perception that Mexico is affordable and safe once again.

From now until January 1 will be the time to be in PV for world class gamefish. You can always find what you’re looking for if you are patient and informed, that’s my job.

Until next week, don’t forget to kiss your fish..