Summer Like Conditions, Dorado Small, Sailfish Fickle

Summer Like Conditions, Dorado Small, Sailfish Fickle

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

For late May we´re seeing September like temperatures. As the heat comes on we know Trophy sized gamefish are soon coming. As the seasons change we´re still early for Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna of any size. Sailfish have moved in, but for the most part it´s been difficult to get Sailfish to take baits of any kind. There can be a lot of reasons for this, but the abundance of bait in and around the bay is a double edged blade. Over abundance of bait is worse than no bait at times. In early season, as we are now, bait first shows up, the local fish eat their fill and this condition will last until either more fish come into the area and feed or the bait moves out. So it´s natures balancing act as we do our best to figure out the bite!

This week we´re looking at similar conditions as we have had for the last couple of weeks. As mentioned Sailfish are the main players around the bay for the time being. Sailfish are showing up in larger numbers off the point of Punta Mita from five to ten miles. Dorado as well off the Anclote Reef and buoys near Sayulita. Buoys are your friend amigo if you can find one. Dorado, which have been mostly on the smaller side, will be running about 15 to 20 lbs. These are throw back sized fish and any self respecting sportsman will throw them back. You may find some Snappers in smaller sizes of 10 to 15 lbs, perfect for the dinner table, fun on light tackle. Those heading to San Pancho will have had no better luck than around the point of Punta Mita or the Marietta Islands….

Speaking of the Marietta Islands, Dorado are picking up, still smaller sized at 25 to 35 lbs if lucky. Again still early for abundant Dorado in close, don´t get discouraged this will be changing shortly. Skip Jack Tuna are running 35 lbs or so, Snappers are anywhere from 15 to 40 lbs, just depends on what you come across. Bonito always available, Jack Crevalls are dwindling in numbers as water temperatures continue to increase. Sailfish are in the area a few miles out from the islands, same situation, fickle where bait is concerned.  Rooster fish30 to 60 lbs are still chasing Sardines but they´re in and out. Needle fish are picking up in numbers and they can fight, but strange fish. Tasty, but bony. Bonito, Pompano in the 25 to 35 lb range and of course any species can spring up..

Corbeteña and El Banco once again are still sporting Black and Blue Marlin running 350 to 500 lbs. Not many heading out to these deep water locations, lots of sightings, few hook-ups. Dorado are here as well and running a little larger in the 35 to 50 lb range. With blue water the conditions are great, water temps still hovering in the 81 degree range. Cubera Snappers are possible around 45 lbs, Amber Jacks, Rainbow Runners around 40 lbs and the list goes on.

The season at the Tres Maria Islands is coming to a close. Raising water temperatures means Tuna will be showing up at Corbeteña and El Banco (the deep water locations) soon. Tres Maria Islands are best visited in winter months where the larger breeders gorge themselves on available baitfish hugging the rocks and structure of this fishery / game reserve. To learn a little more about the Tres Maria Islands I suggest visiting this site (http://www.grupocleofas.org/tres-marias-project/) which has a nice description of the ¨fish bowl¨ environment which makes this area pristine in many ways. Now if you don´t keep out of the restricted access area, you may find yourself getting a visit from the navy or the police responsible for security for the prison part of the islands. This is serious stuff and do I need to say anything more?  

Inside the bay of Banderas we´re still seeing Skip Jack Tuna around the southern end of the bay near Yelapa, Needle fish which have a bill are 25 lbs and up. Jack Crevalls are filtering out of the area, but still schooling. Sierra Mackerals are soon to become history as well. All and all it´s still a transition time where the winter fish are slow to leave and the summer species are just starting to move in. As a whole the fishing is better than this article would have you believe, but it will not meet any peak expectations if targeting Yellowfin Tuna of any size as yet.

If you´re planning on heading out, the morning bite is the strong bite, be at your fishing area by about 8:30 and you have a shot at the morning bite and a mid afternoon bite around 3:00 pm. Fluorescent colored lures, brite pink, yellow, green are grabbing attention even if they don´t bite. The secret with lures and baits are that if there is no strike or interest in twenty minutes running those baits, then it´s time to change baits. If your crew is slow to change baits or plain have nothing to run, then you´re most likely on a promoter boat used for timeshare presentations that are cheap and operating just to satisfy an obligation to get some unsuspecting client into a timeshare presentation.

For those coming to Marina Vallarta looking for fishing boats, you´ll find prices all over the place. Just remember boats with insurance, use fuel to get you there fast, has lures, baits, electronics are a different level than the local ¨under the radar¨ competition. Be sure you know how fast you´re going to the fishing grounds. Ask about how much time you´ll actually have your line in the water.. Who´s owns the fish you catch? Does the crew speak English, Bait is or isn´t included? If a guy sells you a fishing license, you got ripped off. My point is, ask questions other than how much is this fishing trip. There are regulations as to what is required on fishing charter type boats, but they are NEVER enforced. The local port authorities have forever taken money allowing Mexican, uninsured, undocumented boats to operate. So it´s not a level playing field and you should know if you can trust your agent or company to provide you with the services that meet your expectations. Now cheap boats are fine, but safe is important. Every boat in Marina Vallarta has the same expenses for fuel. How fast the boat goes will determine the cost for the most part. Fast boats that use fuel are not going to be able to compete price wise with a boat that goes half speed, using a quarter of the fuel. This of course means less time with your line in the water. So the question really is, how much per hour of fishing does this trip cost. Slow boats mean less time with your line in the water. Which of course makes your per hour cost of wet line naturally go up, but the boat in general will be cheaper. If you like the answers, book the cheap boat. Look at my blog (www.masterbaiters.wordpress.com) where I am going to repost an article about how to choose a fishing company, no matter where you are…….

Master Baiter´s is now sending this exact article in Real Time to your email. Up to the minute fishing conditions can be yours for free. Fire me an email to get on my travel agent list.  I´ll be standing by to hear from  you….. Oh, if you just want the article for entertainment, which works as well….

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 between docks A and B on the boardwalk. 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 cell phone direct Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Master-Baiters-Sportfishing-Tackle/88817121325 The trade name Master Baiter’s ® Sportfishing and Tackle is protected under trade mark law and is the sole property of Stan Gabruk.