One thing about living and fishing in Puerto Vallarta is you’re a slave to the weather. Hurricanes passing, high pressure zones, dirty water and strong currents. We have to deal with these situations and more. Sometimes things come up short for fishing. But we’re past that now and after two weeks we have fish at our world famous fishing grounds!
So far we’ve had a great fishing season and it’s only going to get better. With some challenges naturally, we’re moving into the High Season for fishing in Puerto Vallarta. With Yellowfin Tuna in and out, there is no guarantee you’ll run into Yellowfin Tuna at Corbetena or El Banco. Having said that there have been some impressive reports of occasional larger YF Tuna boated. Black Marlin are a little larger by the day, Dorado are disappointing in size, but the numbers are going through the roof. With very few boats heading out to our world class fishing grounds you couldn’t ask for better conditions amigos!
The Season is developing nicely. Water temperatures are up to a perfect level and after all that Spinner action last week with smaller Tuna, we’re now seeing some sizeable Yellowfin Tuna. Sailfish are increasing in numbers and size, Stripers aka Striped Marlin are still in the area even with the increased water temps. Big surprise yesterday was a Blue Marlin boated off Corbetena. Early summer fishing couldn’t be better than it is now. Even Punta Mita has come to life. We have arm burning action and by all indications this is just the beginning of a great season, YeHa!
Here in Puerto Vallarta we’re “Kinda” unique. Each of our world famous fishing grounds has its own personality and its own personal quirks. We can see long periods of time where the fishing is the same day in and day out. But like your teenage daughter, they can be temperamental and moody. We’ve had a very temperamental last couple of weeks with tropical storms marching up the coastline. The primary conditions we’re dealing with are strange storm currents and plenty of dirty water. The Currents on top of the rain is turning the bay into a dirty water frustration. The deep water locations of Corbetena and El Banco have blue water and it all starts about ten miles off the point of Punta Mita. Yes folks this week it’s been “All about the Marlin”!
One reason why catching a big fish is so exciting is because it’s not as easy as you think. You don’t just drop a line in the water and Bam, you have a trophy gamefish! Especially now as we deal with Tropical storms, the occasional Hurricane, and weird currents to name a few challenges. You can also throw in there wild currents, dirty water, water temperatures and bait availability. Experienced captains know how to handle it all. Big Talking captains follow the ones out who know what they’re doing. At times it can come down to having the right colored feather or the right lure. Yes folks welcome to my world. But when you mix it all up in a bowl and bake it in the Tropical sun, it all adds up to some of the best fishing in the world. Right now it all comes down to skill, luck and your captains’ intuition. Throw in the quality and many times the amount of equipment you have then check your pulse. Of course there’s the other side of the equation, the “pay off” of big Black Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Sailfish, Dorado and more.
Lately it’s looking like the “good old days” have come back to our world famous fishing grounds. After years of diminished fishing, the Seiners (production fishing ships) have mostly faded away and we’re finally seeing small schools of Yellowfin tuna roaming the entire area. Dorado are still thin, but they’re “trickling in” daily. Water temps are hovering and water conditions are about as good as you could ask for. Even Hurricanes are “Tranquillo”. We’ve moved into our Summer Fishing pattern where in the bay fishing is not going to provide you with Marlin and Tuna. For the next four or five months we’ll be seeing the best fishing outside of the bay. Now that doesn’t mean the fishing in the bay is anything other than great, they’re just smaller that’s all. So family fishing or Big Game fishing for trophies, either way They’re just what the “Vacation Doctor” ordered!
On a weekly basis we normally see gradual changes in our world famous fishing grounds. This week that doesn’t hold true. We’ve seen a massive invasion of bait throughout the area. Water temps jumped to late summer temp levels. Trash line is working now that we’re getting some rain, but there is also a lot of Sea Weed as well which is not a bad thing. When it comes to fishing, conditions are never perfect, but with the blue water, a trash line and more bait by the minute, great things can happen. But first you need to step up and check off another Bucket List life goal!
For the last three weeks now I’ve been surprised at the amount of Striped Marlin in the bay. As water temperatures rise we normally see Striped Marlin leaving the area. But when there is so much “Fast Food” why would you leave? Smaller Dorado are in the bay which is encouraging. For now we’re focusing on the “water” conditions. We’re in a “current” transition period where clashing currents can create dirty water and hair pulling frustration.
As we begin to see the end of the peak fishing season we’re lucky to have good if not unpredictable action. Fishing is a “liquid” sport and I mean that in forms of the word. Fish move and they’re moving all around the bay. With winter here the Whales are back as are the Porpoise everyone but fisherman love. For those looking to boat that bucket list fish before another year passes, I’d suggest you “Get it in gear” before the Marlin head for South America.
One thing is for sure, nothing stays the same for long in “Fish City”. Things have stepped down a notch from last week and we’re seeing what was concentrated around Corbetena and El Banco has spread out again. Marlin and Sailfish are out there, but for the next few days you’ll need to move some water. In layman terms that means you’ll be moving around from El Banco to Corbetena so you’ll need longer days on the water. The good news is there are fish out there!
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