Rooster Fish Return, Winter Species Following Winter Currents!

Rooster Fish Return, Winter Species Following Winter Currents!

Written by: Stan Gabruk owner of Master Baiter´s Sportfishing & Tackle

Winter is moving in and with the return of the Whales in our beautiful Bay of Banderas, we all know the winter currents are beginning to come in. We´re seeing some dirty water swirled throughout the area. In the clean areas the fishing is great, but the raked up sea floor muck is another thing. But we expect this when the seasons change. The good news is the fishing is still great and Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado and even Rooster fish can be targeted with high expectations! Remember, the dirty water at this time of the year is muck swirling from sediment on the ocean floor. In rainy season it´s just dirty water from the mountains. But this muck is deep, thick and unpleasant to fish so don´t think it´s just a few feet or inches thick as it can be during summer rains.

We´re seeing some dirty water appear around the deep water locations, but it´s streaky. Kinda like a swirled ice cream, you´ve got both dirty water and blue water at Corbeteña. So obviously the rock is not the place to be, but 12 miles north of the rock you´ve got Blue Marlin anywhere from 320 to 550 lbs hanging out. Magnifico had a Blue Marlin Strike and it broke a 300 lb leader, it was a bucket list sized fish for sure! Big Bull Dorado is super sized at 50 to 65 lbs! Sailfish, of course with Wahoo in the area as well. Bait is plentiful and water temperatures in the blue water is a perfect 80 degrees. Now the dirty water streaks are like 77 degrees. Yellowfin tuna are MIA, but if you do find them they´ll be 80 lbs or so. Won´t have Yellowfin Tuna here for much longer unless you want a sixteen hour day to the Tres Maria Islands. El Banco is just dirty water with little reason to head out this way unless you want 30 lb Skip Jacks.

If you´re around the Marietta Islands Rooster fish have moved back in following the Sardines of course. Not huge, but fun sized at 35 lbs. Light tackle and Rooster fish are a match made in heaven. Dorado are small at 25 lbs, Bonito and Jack Crevalls are abundant, Sierra Mackerals are everywhere. Sailfish are there, but harder to find every day. If you want to give something different a try, Wahoo in the 40 to 60 lb range have been running around El Morro just a few miles off the island to the north east, if targeting this species you´ll find wire leaders are a must unless you get lucky and hook one in the corner of its mouth.

Off the point of Punta Mita, 15 miles or so to the west you have the best chance of boating Sailfish and Bull Dorado 40 lbs and larger. It just depends on what is in the area. Producing like a Machine this year, this area has abundant bait, mostly clear and blue water with Black and Blue Marlin showing up unexpectedly.

The bay is alive and turning into the winter machine we love as it produces great short day fishing trips with plenty of bait, fish and stories waiting to be told. Jack Crevalls in the 35 lb range are our bread and butter come winter. Rooster fish can be found around the shallows of Nuevo Vallarta for the surf fisherman. Cast some Iron or Poppers then be ready. Sierra Mackerals are great tasting and fairly large at 30 lbs. Doesn´t sound like much, but the sheer numbers and boils of Jack Crevalls are impressive.

Soon the Marlin, Dorado and Tuna will be a memory until next spring. For now you can still have that bucket list fish or your dreams, if you act quickly. For those looking for short days, you´ll have the time of your life. If you have children why not go fishing, enjoy the presence of the Whales and then maybe do some snorkeling at the Marietta Island all on the same day trip? Call me, we´ll fix you up. To come to PV and not get on the water is like going to Colorado and not skiing. You´ll have the time of your life.

Until next time don’t forget to kiss your fish and remember at Master Baiter’s Sportfishing & Tackle “ We Won’t Jerk You Around”!

Master Baiter´s has changed locations in Marina Vallarta and are now near Victors Café Te Cuba. Look for me at the least traveled end of Marina Vallarta and I will be there in my new place. Email your Questions to me at: CatchFish@MasterBaiters.com.mx  Web page:  www.MasterBaiters.com.mx , Local Phone at: (044) 322 779 75 71 or if roaming: 011 52 1 322 779 75 71 (this is my cell phone directly until the shop phone is workingFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Master-Baiters-Sportfishing-Tackle/88817121325The trade name Master Baiter’s ® Sportfishing and Tackle is protected under trade mark law and is the sole property of Stan Gabruk.