Water temperatures have returned to 74 degrees, not a bad thing, and the fishing is great, but only if you hit the bite. Which of course means we know the place, we just have to be there at the right time which of course now is mid afternoon with a full moon. As the moon fades like it is now, there will be a morning bite. The full moon was causing problems this past week as fish were using the light of the moon looking upward to zero-in on the baits. As far as winter fishing goes, it´s still great, but the summer species may be harder to find until the water warms up a little. Since it´s spring, that won´t be long.
As the northern states and Canada seem to be under Freezer like conditions, we´re seeing warmer than normal weather as El Nino begins to raise its head with Pacific water temperatures well above the 70 degree range as water temperatures remain about 79 degrees. This is very comfortable for Marlin, Yellowfin, Dorado and of course Sailfish. Winter species are mixed in as well with Jack Crevalls, Snappers, Needle fish and of course Sierra Mackerals. It´s mixed up out there for sure. The upside, there are fish everywhere and they´re waiting for you to come out and play!
To be straight up with my loyal readers, all 54 of you, February is not the best month of the year to be fishing here in Puerto Vallarta, Banderas Bay to be exact. Not that the fishing is lacking, but because most people are looking for Monster fish like Marlin, Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna and Wahoo to name a few. Now we still have Dorado, Rooster fish and Sailfish if you are in the right location, which is not in the bay amigo. Yes we´re moving into winter fishing which means Jack Crevalls coming out of our ears, billions of Sierra Mackerals that are great tasting, but not large.
All year long we wait for High Season. We know the tourist are back and we know we´ll see more people coming to Puerto Vallarta by the day. This time of the year we see the days grow shorter and cooler. Yet the water temperatures will take weeks and weeks before they begin to drop. For now, conditions could not be better and when fish are abundant, you have a recipe for success. But first you have to be on the water to take advantage of our world class fishing in the Bay of Banderas!
Strange title I know, but it´s appropriate and to the point. More tropical storms, warm water and challenging fishing conditions for sure. A more appropriate title would be ¨fishing in soup¨. Even though the water is still warm, we have all the fish you could hope to find right now, but they are on the smaller side. For the visitor looking for something for the dinner table, we can still fix you up amigo. Deep water locations are tapering off, but still producing. Punta Mita, once again is the place to be and those in the area are boating Sailfish, Dorado and small Blue Marlin. Yes folks, we have fish!
Lets´ just go straight to the bottom line, El Banco and Corbeteña, take your pick, Big Black Marlin pushing 700 lbs are turning into tournament winners at your favorite secret spot. Yellowfin Tuna, we have your addiction covered with 250 lb and larger at the rock and on top of the high spots at El Banco. It doesn´t really matter where you are go, you´ll be boating fish we mostly talk about for nine months and fantasize about for the summer! Seriously, no fluff, the fishing is what our jaded clients and locals have come to expect. So you won´t find much fanfare, this is what is supposed to happen anyway.
The Marietta Islands have been hot and cold, hence the pedal to the metal title. Some days last week, too much bait, couldn´t get a strike for nothing! But boy has that changed. Dorado in the 35 lb range are all around the island. Red Snappers to 30 lbs and abundant, Bonito, Sierra Mackerals, Sailfish and even some Rooster fish (not many). Roosters could be coming in now, so stay tuned, this would be great for the fly fishing or light tackle guys! Anything is possible right now, so get out there. With Spinner Dolphin in the area the Football Yellowin Tuna (Footballs) are in the 40 to50 lb size range, so keep an eye pealed! Eight hour trips are well worth the time and the fuel dollar, so get out there, this is fishing season, and it´s a great season!
The air is warm, the humidity is way up and all of a sudden these cold currents show up out of nowhere! That´s right amigos, just when you think it´s going to be a great day fishing, the water gauge shows water temperatures that are hitting a chilly 75 Degrees. As a result Black and Blue Marlin have moved out of the area for the moment, that´s the down side. The up side; Striped Marlin are back in the area and they´re good sized running 300 lbs, but you won´t see Striped Marlin occupy the same areas as Black Marlin with their preferences in water temperatures being at different levels. Having said that the fishing is great, but you may have a mixture of winter and summer species fighting for your bait!
With water temperatures at unseasonable highs, it´s more like summer fishing than winter fishing. Winter and summer species are streaked throughout our world famous fishing grounds and anything is possible. Dorado are still hanging out and have moved into the bay, which is a good thing. Monster Yellowfin Tuna at the Tres Maria Islands. Spinner Dolphin at El Banco and Corbeteña mean ever welcome Football Tuna to 70 lbs. And with Striped Marlin in the area, there seems little to complain about when it comes to fishing in Puerto Vallarta. For fair weather fisherman, you finally can have your cake and eat it too! It may be Global Warming, it may be El Nino once again, but whatever it is, we´ll just thank the stars that it seems to be continuing.
Wow, if you think you have a clue about what the fishing is going to be like today, tomorrow or next week you´re a crystal ball is better than mine! Last week I though the fishing had finally turned into winter conditions, yet here we are with Sailfish off El Morro and the Marietta Islands, Sailfish! They never left! Water temperatures are still running in the mid 70´s, with plenty of bait the mixed summer and winter species living and eating in the same area are likely to hang for a while. Strange, yes.. But if you´re out there fishing in this mixed up season, you`re catching fish you shouldn´t be seeing!
