The seasons are changing to our normal warm and humid conditions. With these warm weather conditions comes warm weather. To be specific it means we have our annual surge of warm water species (fish that is) moving into the area. This season is no different as we see an increase in Blue and Black marlin. Striped Marlin dwindling in numbers as they migrate north to Cabo as would be expected. Some local-ish Yellowfin Tuna action is welcome and right on time. To me it´s always funny how as tourism slows to a crawl here in Puerto Vallarta as our world famous fishing grounds explode with bucket list fish for the vacation adventurer. Streaky bites, changing currents, and plenty of bait in the water makes for an interesting combination of factors that combined make your fishing day unique. Dorado at the buoys, the commercial guys hate me telling you this, have been hot and then cold. Some days you´ll find your fill of fish, other days they don´t want your bait and still other days…., well you could spend a lifetime trying to understand seasonal fluctuation both normal and unexpected.
Everyear we come to expect certain things. But after a few years of really up-side-down fishing, I have learned, with many others, it would be easier to predict what my ex-wife was going to do next. Normally what is happening now, happens in April. Some days the fishing is incredible, other days will have you pulling your hair out. Having said that Striped Marlin are all over the deep water locations with Bull Dorado.
Welcome to another amazing week of fishing here in Puerto Vallarta. This year we´ve been blessed by the fishing gods with warm water in the middle of winter. With these warm water temperatures running around 78 degrees we have some serious fishing happening here and now. Plenty of bait in the water insures these summer species like Bull Dorado, Striped Marlin and Sailfish won´t be leaving anytime soon. As we move into spring, it looks like this years fishing season may be something to remember.
Normally come March, I am almost apologizing for the poor fishing and cookie cutter reports. But this year, as was a few years ago, the water is full of summer species fish. Amazing, but true, we won´t discuss El Nino quite yet, but whatever the cause, there were and possibly still are 120lb Yellowfin Tuna off El Banco about ten miles to the north of the high spots. In a word, ¨Strange¨ at best! We all know fish are where you find them and for now anyway, they can be found off all the world famous fishing grounds of Banderas Bay.
Yellowfin Tuna at Corbeteña, it´s February and I´m writing about Yellowfin Tuna running 130 lbs at Corbetena in February? Warm currents continue from Japan to the west coast cutting off the cold water we are used to getting come this time of the year. Now we´re seeing species we should not really be seeing at our world famous fishing grounds. Yellowfin Tuna are not the only species out there that will surprise you amigos. The season is now upside down and from here out, who knows what´s going to happen. Cookie cutter fishing reports, not here amigo.
Spring like temperatures continue here in Puerto Vallarta which of course is very welcome to the locals and tourist as well. Fishing is incredible as Dorado, Sailfish and Striped Marlin have made their minds up to hang out for a while longer. Plenty of bait in the water and perfect fishing conditions means you can still have that finned fantasy in an eight hour trip. The good news is the fishing is great and while the warm water will eventually turn chilly, for now, it´s time to go fishing!
Lately I have had a many people asking me about global warming, the strange fishing conditions and what I make of them. Well I used to think I actually knew something about our local species, currents, and what we should expect under fairly normal conditions. When it comes to fishing, it will always defy logic. For now we´re seeing summer time species like Dorado, Sailfish and Yellowfin tuna around our world famous fishing grounds. Now why they´re here in the winter, your guess is as good as mine. While we´re having spring like weather during the days, it will also help keep water temperatures up. With warm, swirling currents these strange conditions have persisted and who are we to complain. For now the visitor looking for some great fishing action can actually target fish that should be long gone. Welcome to fishing amigo, it will drive you crazy!
Summer time fishing conditions have made fishing a real dream at the Marietta Islands, Dorado running 25 to 35 lbs are still hanging in the warm currents. Water temperatures are still in the mid seventies with blue water conditions everywhere reachable in a day…. Snappers in the 30 lb range are more abundant daily. Rooster fish are still here, but for some reason have slowed down. You may come in empty handed if targeting Roosters, but the Jack Crevalls will more than make up for their absence. Skip Jack Tuna in the 30 lb range, Even Needle fish are taking baits in this cooler than normal water for this species.
As we move deeper into winter fishing, we´re seeing species that are normally long gone hanging around and we´re happy for it. Visitors to Puerto Vallarta have fantash fishing options with Dorado at the Marietta Islands, Tuna at El Banco, Corbeteña has Striped Marlin and the bay if just full of fish. Just when you think you´ve have the seasons and species figured out, guess what… It´s fishing!
Dorado at Marietta Islands, Jack Crevalls / Rooster Fish Invasion Written by Stan Gabruk Winter has arrived As we move deeper into winter fishing we find we still have Dorado in the area as water temperatures begin to drop below 80 degrees. Sailfish, Marlin and Yellow fin Tuna are for the most part heading south […]
