Striped Marlin and Sailfish Take Over Punta Mita
Striped Marlin and Sailfish Take Over Punta Mita
Written by: Stan Gabruk owner of Master Baiter´s Sportfishing & Tackle
When you refer to the fishing charts for the area you would notice that Sailfish are at the beginning of their season, Striped Marlin are not in season and of course the Dorado are not supposed to be in the area as well. It’s a little hard to explain what’s happening, so I’m not even going to guess. All I know is what happened yesterday and the week before. The continuing trend is Striped Marlin running with Sailfish who are both chasing super abundant bait in many forms. Yes folks for the unsuspecting vacationer deciding to take a full day fishing trip hoping for some possible Dorado are coming back with any manner of billfish.
Water temperatures are about the same as last week, 70 to 72 degrees depending on if you fine a ‘warm’ spot or not. Bait, well it’s crazy abundant with many, many different types. It just doesn’t make sense, but there you are, catching fish! At times it’s hard to understand what is happening, but I guess all you really need to know is “it’s happening”.
This past week we’ve seen Sailfish running with Striped Marlin. Many times they’re schooling alone or in packs. If you’re targeting these billfish you’ll find them anywhere from Corbetena to Punta Mita. To be straight up it seems the closer you are to Punta Mita the better your chances are for Striped Marlin. Yes we see Sailfish but not like we’re seeing numbers wise in Stripers. Anywhere from 2 to 12 miles off the point on a heading of 310 you could find yourself with multiple simultaneous strikes. In this area right now you could expect anywhere from three to ten strikes. If you convert or not is the question. Please remember to release them as nobody needs to kill fish needlessly. Keep one for a picture as it’s legal, but several is not acceptable legally or morally. Dorado have been boated in this area as well, look for any structure or floating debris and you’re in. The buoy at the point is always a good place to start. They have been decreasing in numbers as late so if you want to get into the game, now would be a good time to bust move amigos. Mix in a heavy measure of Jack Crevalls, Sierra Mackerels and other assorted species and you’ve got some wonderful winter fishing. Freak fishing would be a better name for it, either way you’ll have a wonderful time. UpDate: We’ve seen some Yellowfin Tuna of 25 to 50 or more lbs move into El Morro and at Corbetena, now these are not there for long so if you’re here in the area you definitely to take a look at this and then get your butt out there before they bug out!
The other hotspot believe it or not is the bay! It’s still Jack Crevall central, but at this time of the year Jacks are our “bread and butter”. Not great tasting, although Victor’s restaurant on the Malecon of Marina Vallarta does a fine job with them. We still have Grouper to 15 lbs around the Ameca River along with possible Sea Bass to 30 lbs as well, you’ll be jigging, but it’s working amigos. Sailfish are not as abundant out of the bay but you can still get lucky around La Cruz or Los Arcos. We are also in Snook or (Robalo in Spanish) season and have seen some signs of them moving in, but nothing solid and predictable as yet. Bonito are still running the area at 30 lbs, Striped Marlin are still in the area feeding on abundant Sardines, Goggle eyes and Mullets which are all mixed in a super bait ball that just get fish in a frenzy. Rooster fish that the charts show should be here are still missing. Dorado possible again near Los Arcos to 25 lbs. Sierra Mackerels to 15 lbs. Football Tuna to 30 lbs off Yelapa. There are so many different species around structure and rocks that you’ll have many opportunities to catch something worth eating.
You always hear me talk about the “abundant” bait, but the real question is which bait is best? Most people normally hit up the bait boats near the fuel docks in the morning and purchase Goggle eyes, Mullets or whatever they have from the night before. Many people ignore Mackerels and this week if you have a trolled Mackerel your chances of boating a Striped Marlin almost double, same for Sailfish. Plentiful, most people don’t want anything to do with those “smaller fish”. Fact is if you catch them, put them in the live well and use them for the Billfish amigos, you’ve got the tools, now you have the knowledge. Water temperatures are still in the 70 degree ranges yet we still have hungry fish hanging around. One secret, keep this to yourself. Normally I will tell you skipping baits on top of the water doesn’t work but to make you think you’re fishing. But there are times, like now, when skipping trolled bait, not too fast, say seven knots will be preferred. Maybe they assume it’s a flying fish, but whatever the case this is the best way to use live bait for the moment. Iguana lures are still the and magic secret and you should be running two at least with some live bait varied from Sardines, Google Eyes, and yes Mackerels! The bite is still on the early side and getting earlier by the day as the moon phase is getting fuller and the rising tide is still about 9 a.m. For now leaving earlier rather than later is best.
Until next week, Don’t forget to kiss Your Fish!
Web page: www.MasterBaiters.com.mx , Local Phone at: (044) 322 779 75 71 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Master-Baiters-Sportfishing-Tackle/88817121325
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