OK, this fishing report is going to be a little different from what I normally write about. I’ve been writing articles for more than twenty years now regarding Fishing in Puerto Vallarta, focusing on the entire area in and around the Bay of Banderas. Now I could throw plenty of facts and data about what’s happening in the fishing grounds, and I’ll get to that. But with the rapid change from La Nina, to El Nino, then back to La Nina conditions in just a touch over a year, you have to understand this has never happened in my lifetime. So I’m going to try and attempt to describe and explain a bit about what’s happening now.
I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again, fishing in Puerto Vallarta, the Bay of Banderas has been nothing short of weird this year. In my last article, Dorado were thin in number, but still at El Morro to Punta Nayarit. Then, all of a sudden, Dorado move back into the bay, even with the cold water. Sailfish numbers are still strong, but the Blue Marlin Population is getting smaller in both size and numbers. Water temperatures are prematurely dropping, and massive amounts of bait are coming into the area. And on top of that, the Whales are back! It won’t be long before our warm water species bug-out. For those looking to catch that bucket list fish, the clock is ticking amigos.
As all my loyal readers know, we went from a La Nina condition, which changed to an El Nino Condition. Then they changed back to La Nina conditions all in eleven months. Very strange indeed and the aftershocks are erratic fishing. For those fishing in Puerto Vallarta’s world famous Banderas Bay, there is still plenty […]
If you’ve been reading my articles, you know that the world and fishing in Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas have been dealing with a mid-summer switch from El Nino to colder La Nina conditions. You may say, what does this mean to me? Well, we know that water temperatures affect weather patterns for one thing. But we’re talking about fishing; cold water is bad for the warm water species. This week water temperatures went from 87 degrees to 81 degrees, a drastic drop. Then all of a sudden Jack Crevalles are back in the bay and Striped Marlin are moving in. Now this may sound like a good thing. But in reality, it could mean an early “winter fishing” season. Black and Blue Marlin are still running the neighborhood, but we’ll be keeping an eye on the coming weeks to get a better feel for what’s happening. But for now, the fishing is great! With Sailfish, Striped Marlin and yes, even Jack Crevalles in the bay all add up to great fishing action in Puerto Vallarta’s world famous fishing grounds.
As we continue moving deeper into the best time of the year to be fishing in Puerto Vallarta, we’re seeing Marlin and Sailfish numbers increasing. Yellowfin Tuna are running around the “Rock” at Corbetena. Dorado are also picking up in size and number. This all may sound perfect, but we all know perfect is a ‘moving target’. With Bluewater and perfect water temperatures, the conditions are just this side of perfect. But we all know nothing is ever ‘perfect’. The challenge this week is how to deal with fish that have all the bait they could want. Skip Jack Tuna are massive at Corbetena. The bite is a moving target. So there are some challenges, but these challenges can be overcome with determination and a positive attitude. All of PV’s Fishing grounds are alive with action. It’s also tournament season, so if you’re here in PV it would be a shame if you don’t get on the water amigos!
What a difference a week can make fishing Puerto Vallarta’s Bay of Banderas! Last week I was thinking there really wasn’t any reason why we’re not seeing larger Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna, then BAM, they show up! Those lucky enough to be in Puerto Vallarta, fishing right now will be surprised to find Sailfish and Dorado in the bay as well. We’ve finally moved into tournament season and the fishing from this point forward will be as good as it gets for most of the year. Conditions couldn’t be better with plenty of bait, smooth seas, and mostly blue water. We’ve been waiting all year for the coming months and I for one plan on taking advantage of being a local in ‘Fish Heaven’.
After last week’s article where I was saying things are improving by the day, I was a little nervous that things may have turned in the other direction. But I’m happy to tell you that fishing this week took another small step towards perfect fishing conditions. Corbetena is alive and well with a strong pulse. In fact, all our fishing grounds are ticking in the right direction. Fish numbers are increasing along with all the favorite species like Yellowfin Tuna which are both increasing in numbers and size. After experiencing the La Nina / El Nino switch, I’ve been waiting to see what kind of results we would have this week and if things continue as they were. Now I’m thinking we may have an impressive fishing season this year. With perfect high visibility blue water, plenty of skipjack tuna and other baits, I have every reason to be positive and hopefull for the following months. It’s a good bet you’ll have memories that will last a lifetime after heading out fishing in Puerto Vallarta’s Bay of Banderas. The fishing just got world class and the only thing missing is you!
When October finally arrives, we get anxious about fishing in Puerto Vallarta. It’s a bit of a waiting game as we ‘wait’ for the numbers of our world class species to increase here in the Bay of Banderas. But this is nothing new and as always the fishing is improving by small amounts. Or as my Mexican friends would say, ‘poco-poco’, or little by little. So, this past week has been on the positive side in both the bay and our deep-water fishing grounds. Those looking for larger Billfish like Blue and Black Marlin will find them, finally. Sailfish numbers are also picking up by the day. So we have great action across the board, which means we have something for just about everyone. Which leaves the question, ‘what do you want’?
Bait is abundant, the water is blue and the seas are rolling gently. You don’t know what to expect, so you put a rigged-up Skipjack Tuna in the water, set the pole and you’re in the game amigo. Anything can happen, especially now that we had a Hurricane march up the Mexican coastline, pushing northward toward Puerto Vallarta. By now you should have figured out we have some Giant Black Marlin at El Banco, but that’s not all amigos. High Season for fishing starts now!
Normally writing these fishing articles really isn’t anything too complicated. As the week goes by I talk with several Captains and friends with private boats as well as my own recent experiences. Then you just put down what they tell you and try and make it as interesting as possible. Many people who read my articles about world class Sportfishing in Puerto Vallarta aren’t even interested in Sportfishing, also known as Deep Sea Fishing. This week is different, it’s now September, the slowest tourism month of the year. It’s not hard to see why with daily temperatures normally in the 90 degree range. Not to mention the humidity level of 80% on average. So it’s not hard to figure out why tourism is slow. Having said that, the Sportfishing game has for the most part come up short this week. But I did get some news just prior to posting this article, but the information here is based on a minimum of input.
