Spring Has Sprung, Sailfish Moving In, Water Temps Up!

Spring Has Sprung, Sailfish Moving In, Water Temps Up!

People ask me all the time when the fishing is best in Puerto Vallarta. That is always a moving target because everyone wants a little something different. My standard answer is Mid July to the second week of January. But for some reason people seem to take that as if the fishing is bad any other time. This of course is not the case, but we do know up front that January, February, March and early April are not Billfish months. But we´re in March now, the water is warming up daily, we have seen Sailfish fifty miles out at The Bank or El Banco in Spanish.  There is still plenty of bait in the bay, the water is clearer and bluer every day. Spring is right on time this year with the weather conditions coming in line with expectations and water temperatures moving into the range summer fish prefer! Yes Amigos if you are into fishing, then this is the time of year when things will change for the better. Larger, more abundant gamefish are already here, time to think about your summer fishing trips!

Lots of news this week so lets get this party started! Flash: If you didn’t know from these reports the Marietta Islands are considered protected areas. Those fishing the Marietta islands or the reefs close at hand are basically breaking the law. But like all laws, if there is nobody to enforce them, is it really a law? The answer is yes, it is a law, but when the cat is away….. About once a year the Navy will head out to these islands and the last few days they were enforcing the ¨no fishing zone ¨.  Then, they´re gone and everything goes back to how it was as is the case for now. If you are in the area of the Marietta Islands, there are large Snappers that have been banging on the 30 lb range. Cubera Snappers are up to 40lbs, African Pompano getting less abundant are still in the mid 20’s. Something new is the appearance of larger Needle Fish, Bonito are moving back in and the Jack Crevalls are looking at numbered days since they prefer the cooler water temperatures. Interesting thing, the Rooster Fish are back again, fair sized, but they like structure so they´re at the reefs… same old story. Update 3/22: Rooster Fish (40 lbs plus) have moved in big time into the Marietta Islands and El Morro. African Pompano are back for now in the 25 to 45lb range, Cubera Snappers are now in the 30lb range, there are also Amber Jacks of great size taking bait as well in the 25 to 45lb range (see picture).

The area off Sayulita is still seeing Dorado in the 25 to 40lb range and this should improve. Rooster Fish have been fairly large in the 35lb size range. Snappers on the rocks and structure. African Pompano still there, but not too many and that will change shortly to nothing as the water continues to warm up. This should all improve shortly so stay tuned…

The bay is still full of Jack Crevalls, Needle Fish, Sierra Mackerals, Snappers closer in and a lot of other possibilities if you are interested in a four to six hour trip. Not real large, but you´ll always find action in the Bay of Banderas. So those on a budget, you can still find affordable boats on a vacation budget. Make sure you check my blog for the latest and greatest information.

Corbeteña and El Banco, for now just forget those locations. El Banco is starting to see some Sailfish as they move down from up north. In the next week or two these Sailfish will be setting up house. If you are in the area, Cubera Snappers, Amber Jacks and Rainbow runners are still out there. But most people are not looking to jig or bottom fish.  No Marlin or Tuna to speak of. The Tres Maria islands have been slow. I should say those fishing this location have been staying the legal distance from the Islands, which are a Mexican Prison. Matter what you hear about these islands stay away from them. Those pushing the envelope have been arrested lately and all those bloody decks guys don´t seem to report this fact! So don’t be stupid!

Listen, if you´re in Puerto Vallarta and you´ve been burned by some OPC / Agent / Promoter from the timeshare guys, Vacation ownership is the same animal, then I hate to say this, but you set yourself up to get screwed. With the season being slow, even for High Season as it is now, those OPC’s or Promoters as they like to call themselves are ripping people off left and right. If you decide to go fishing, purchase a tour, or buy anything else from some guy who has no office, no business license, or way to contact them if you need to, then run away from this person. It is illegal for ¨Promoters¨ to sell you anything! But they can give you items, trips, tours, fishing trips for free if you take some of your precious vacation time and attend a ¨vacation ownership¨ presentation. Those that let greed take the driver’s seat are finding they will not be able to find that agent who sold them the Vallarta Adventures tour is nowhere to be found when they discover they got screwed out of their money when the tour company doesn´t have a clue as to who you are. There have been on average of six to ten people a week showing up at the docks in the morning waiting for a fishing boat that is not coming. Vallarta Adventures has had a rash of ¨Promoters¨ stealing deposits in their name as are other tour companies. Please, Please, Please protect yourself by dealing with agents that have hard walls around the office or place of business. Make sure they have a business license, not just some plastic chairs in some open space with a bunch of tour posters scattered around. Master Baiter’s is no going into the tour business and we will get you the absolute best prices you can get on Vallarta Adventure tours! If you go fishing with us, we will get you all the tours you want with discounts that Vallarta Adventures won’t let me advertise. Larger groups will be very happy with the money you´ll save. Lets face it, fishing and tours are expensive. With this new program, you might be able to save enough money to pay for your fishing trip, of course this depends on which boat, but our intentions are clear. We want to make sure you have fun, don´t get ripped off and become your source for information, fishing, tours or Unique Products. So there you are, I have declared a price war on all Hotel or Timeshare / Vacation Ownership agents / promoters! Just stay away from those people, they don´t care about you, they just want your money. Don´t do anything you wouldn´t do at home and you´ll be fine!

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