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Marina Vallarta Las Palmas I Local 3

Nice Sized Dorado in the bay!

I know, I got a little creative in the title, but that’s about the whole story in a nut shell right now. Our world famous fishing grounds here in Puerto Vallarta are all pretty much firing on all cylinders right now. . . . 

Corbetena, Dorado to 30 lbs or larger. Some in the 50 lb range.. Black and Blue Marlin anywhere from 300 lbs upwards and over 500 lbs! Tuna are a little small, but they’re abundant from 20 to 60 lbs, there have been some boated over 120 lbs. Sailfish are almost automatic all over, presently most are about ten feet long, tournament winners for sure! Calm, blue water, it’s a fishing paradise at Corbetena right now.

Striped Marlin Boated at El Morro on Magnifico

Closer in the Marietta Islands continue to be a bit disappointing and not the best place to be dropping baits at the Moment. The point of Punta Mita is another story. Dorado are anywhere there’s a clump of trash, or log, anything that cast a shadow and you’ll find Dorado. Sailfish are sprinkled throughout the area and they have been taking dead baits, now this is changing becasue there are so many Skippies aka Skip Jack Tuna as bait it’s hard to say no to, fish wise that is. Eight hours trips are coming in with nice Sailfish, Dorado in the 20 lb range. If you head out a little farther you’ll have a shot at Marlin, say ten miles off the point on a heading of say 300. Be ready, an explosion of screaming reels is not unusual at all. 

Inside the bay, it’s a short day fishermans dream. Off Los Arcos there have naturally be nice Dorado, mostly in the 20 lb range, but there are smaller one which should be returned for another day! Sailfish are also being boated in this area as there is so much bait, it just draws them into the area. Not to be out done, smaller Blue Marlin in the 200 lb range have been chasing skippies as well and not many, but a few have been caught and released. Remember a 200 lb fish is big, but in Marlin terms they’re just “bables”. Have fun, then “throw” it back for the future health of the industry and future anglers who will most likely keep it when it’s older and bigger. 

Bait conditions are plentiful with all kinds of flying fish at three to four inches in length. Lots of “bullet Skippies” or baby skipjack tuna which just happen to be a favorite bait option! Sailfish are also hanging around La Cruz Marina so pick either end of the bay and cross your fingers. 

The all important bite is around mid morning now, after 10 a.m., then again just after 1:00 p.m. in the afternoon. Heading to the fishing grounds too early could make it a sketchy morning leaving back for the marina as the bite happens? Don’t do that! leave a little later in the morning, 8 is plenty early and squeeze as much action in as possible..

A Stump like this is a Dorado Machine, cast a bait and get ready for action!

It’s tournament season now, we have one coming up on the 10th of November. No expensive for a two day tournament at $2,000 pesos, or just a smidge over a hundred dollars. Fun, in expensive and the prize money is nothing that will make you rich, but there is a nice trophy with a few pesos! Something to think about. 

Also on the 15th of November we have the Puerto Vallarta annual Marlin and Sailfish Fishing Tournament and it’s a real “happening”. Entry fees are reasonable and we have boats at the ready. 

Watch for my full on report in a few days, but for now this should get your heart beating a bit faster!

Until next time, don’t forget to kiss your fish!

Stan