Puerto Vallarta Fishing, Billfish Season on Schedule
August 8th, 2025
I’ve been writing these articles now for many years. And every year about this time, I get excited because the conditions and the abundance of Marlin, Sailfish as Yellowfin Tuna and Dorado gradually increase in both numbers and size. Puerto Vallarta fishing has taken a step up this week as we’re seeing our deep-water locations of the Bay of Banderas improving by the day. Everything seems to be coming together right now, right on time. Water temperatures are a desirable 86 degrees and the water is high visibility blue. And there is plenty of bait in the water and plenty of fish to be had at both the deep-water locations and in the bay. Those looking for short days with a lot of action, we’ve got you covered. But if you’re looking to hook into a freight train Black Marlin, we’ll put you on at least one of those as well. We’re getting into the season where our world class fishing comes under the spotlight. From this point forward, it may not be perfect all the time, but it will be most of the time. If you’re ready to get into the game, we’re here and ready to support with a once in a lifetime, bucket list experience.
When you look to our Deep-Water fishing grounds of Corbetena and El Banco, they’re both sporting Blue Marlin and Black Marlin. In fact, the whole area between these two world famous locations are fertile fishing grounds. With Blue Water, plenty of bait, and plenty of fish, the only question is where to start? I always say “they’re bigger at the Bank”! But that doesn’t mean it’s always the best location. Right now you’ll find Blue and Black Marlin anywhere from 250 lbs for the Male Blue Marlin up to and exceeding 600 lbs for the Females and the Black Marlin. There are also Sailfish running this entire area. But unfortunately, not much when it comes Yellowfin Tuna Sightings. Now there could be some about ten to fifteen miles north of the high spots at El Banco. But nothing seen first-hand. Feeling lucky?
Once again it looks like Corbetena is your best bang for your fishing dollar. Blue Marlin are running anywhere here as well from 250 to 500 lbs. A touch smaller than El Banco, but more abundant means you have to weigh your options. Black Marlin are in the 300 lb range on up to ‘freight train’ sized! There haven’t been too many Yellowfin Tuna running around the rock. Those that have been there have been running with Spinner Dolphin (Spinners) and running anywhere from 25 to 45 lbs. There are also some free-swimming Yellowfin Tuna in the 30 to 60 lb range if you’re got the fish gods with you. You’ll find the Spinners about 6 miles north of the rock and is a good place to start your day. There have on occasion been bait issues, not finding it, getting it. Be sure to use a daisy chain with light line and pink and purple ‘hoochies’ and making bait won’t be much of an issue. But if you get the shot at Chorrras, aka bait fish, take as much as you can put in the Tuna Tubes as cheap insurance. Sailfish are throughout the entire area and Corbetena has their fair share as well. No Dorado, not really. Those in the are under 12 lbs and mostly ‘throw backs’. It’s early in the season, but it’s nice to know if you head to this area, you’re looking at several hook-ups on several different species. For those who like bottom fishing, Corbetena is just what the doctor ordered with Cubera Snappers at 35 to 60 lbs., Possible Amberjacks, Green and Blue runners and the list goes on.
In about the 30 mile distance, or El Morro to Punta Nayarit point, you’ll find Sailfish City! For now, it’s mostly Sailfish, but my 35ft Cabo boated two Blue Marlin and a Sailfish in a eight-hour duration. They were seeing Blue Marlin in as close as ten miles! Rooster fish have been a little sparse in this area, but there are still Sardines, so having bait in the area is good for every species. In fact, there is plenty of bait in the area, including flying fish, Bonito, Skippies, Goggle Eyes and more. An eight-hour duration is worth the money as long as you’re looking to target Sailfish and the rouge Blue Marlin. There are also Jack Crevalle’s, Bonito, Skip Jack Tuna and other smaller species as well. Feeling lucky?
At this time of the year the bay starts to run short on Jack Crevalle’s, a cold-water fish, in August. Bonito are also here all year, but they’ll get a little thing in numbers as well. When this happens, we see Dorado step up and become the dominant species in the bay. We’re not quite there as yet, but the amount of baby Dorado are mind boggling. These baby Dorado are anywhere from 3 lbs to about 9 lbs. All too small to keep. But it’s still early in the Dorado time line. Give it a month and they’ll be ‘keepers’. Sailfish have been turning up around the La Cruz Marlin and off the Los Arcos rocks at the other end of the bay. Jack Crevalle’s are still running the neighborhood around Nuevo Vallarta to La Cruz and in the middle of the bay. Many Skipjack Tuna running inside the bay at 6 lbs, perfect for bait if heading out to the deep-water locations. But Skippies are great tasting, so don’t ignore them. You’ll also find needle fish, Bady Roosters off Punta Negra. There is always bottom fishing catching 10 lb “burritos”. I don’t know what else to call them, but they taste great. But here’s the deal, the short day fishing, fishing in the bay, gets a little slower than the winter fishing. We flip to larger fish in the deep-water locations, where the world class action is happening. But you should be aware, many of these so-called promoters will tell you Moby Dick is in the bay! So short days can be fun, but the real action from now until about November will be outside of the bay. Shorter duration trips in the bay still have plenty of action, but the species are changing as we speak amigos.
The important details to consider, the water is a perfect 86 degrees, but should be increasing. Stay tuned for if this happens, especially coming off a two year La Nina to El Nino fiasco. For now, we’re looking good, not like last year. The bite is still happening about 09:00, but for longer duration trips be sure you’re leaving the dock no later than 06:30. Bait isn’t an issue, but make bait when you can, it’s cheap insurance and in fact, I’d go out of my way to get Skippies in the bay on top of the bait we get at the bait boat on the way out. One interesting this is live bait is working and so is dead bait. So run through your baits to see what works best. Lures of purple are working well as are the Iguana colored lures. That means green, with yellow and black markings. Start there and I’m sure you’ll be smiling all day! We haven’t seen much rain, but a mature trash line in the middle of the bay can always pay-off in serious action! One last thing, leaving at 06:30 is a good time since the rains bring debris and trash, especially things like logs or floating refrigerators. These will ruin a prop and support, not to mention your fishing day. So don’t expect boats to really get up to speed until they’re out past the middle of the bay. Just some FYI for you amigos.
Here’s a little something fun you may be interested in. I pay for this newsletter thing, it’s expensive and I’ve decided to start sending a Fish Pic of the Day to my email list of interested clients. I literally have thousands of fish pictures and I’ve started sharing some. Most are from the previous days, but some for those who would be interested in getting a fish pic of the Day in your inbox, just to our contacts page at out web site and sign up. Or just click the link and you can sign up at the bottom of the page amigo. It’s free, the pictures are all Screen Saver Quality. No Spam, nothing but great fish pics to remind you of our world class fishing in Puerto Vallarta!
Until next week, don’t forget to kiss your fish!
Thank you very much for visiting my site. We do all of this to earn your confidence and your business. If you come in the shop or mention that you’ve been reading my reports, I’ll give you a nice little discount. And as a customer we will freeze and store your catch. This is an exclusive service for Master Baiter’s Sportfishing & Tackle’s clients exclusively!
Tours and Services: if you’re coming to Puerto Vallarta and plan on taking any tours, we can provide that service. Many of the tour companies like Vallarta Adventures have shifted from paying commissions and you are better off purchasing these online. We can provide the entire service of reserving your tours. For those that don’t pay a commission, we’ll charge a handling fee so my employees can see a bit of compensation for their troubles. Ask about our Unknown Paradise Tours you’ve never heard of. Let Carlos guide you and work with you. Carlos speaks 8 languages!
Written by Stan Gabruk
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