When we come to this time of the year, everything is in a state of flux. With changing currents, then one day there is blue water, the next is the clean green water comes back. This is not unusual, in fact it’s more or less normal. It’s just very early in the summer fishing season to have more stable conditions as we continue the seasonal transition, nothing complicated. But we are seeing subtle and constant improvements by the day. The strong currents of a few weeks back that brought with it the larger Black and Blue Marlin have relaxed. For now we have most of the favorite species people are looking for. Sailfish, Dorado, Tuna, Marlin and more are already here. Sounds great, I know, but the whole thing needs some time to jell. Right now with all those famous species, massive amounts of warm water bait has come with them. Now this is a double edged sword, too much bait means it’s hard to get these fish to check out your “presentation”. Not enough bait, and they all leave. The good news is these species are filling in the entire area in all the different fishing grounds right now there are serious possibilities. With so few boats heading out in this slow part of the year for tourism, what I’m seeing could be just the tip of the iceberg. People are catching fish, but first you have to be on the water for the “action to begin”.
You know it’s funny, every week I’m tasked with the happy responsibility to inform, be a bit entertaining with a bit of a positive spin, but always honest. When we come to this time of the year it can be a real mixed bag. Things can change from day to day. Spring means many species are full of eggs, currents change, water temperatures are in “’neutral” and the fish are moving all over the place. Where they were yesterday, most likely isn’t where they will be today. For that reason you need to be open minded when figuring out your daily fishing plan of attack. Depending on your targeted species, this will determine where you need to go. It also means you may get some bad news, which means you have the necessary information, good or bad. Using this information will help to make sure you don’t waste your day, your money and lose your hair. Spring fishing is a challenge, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, arm burning action. Just don’t expect to find Moby Dick on the end of your line.
If you’ve been reading my articles, you understand that we’re on the tail end of a La Nina year. When this happens the “system” starts to swing back to “normal”. That means the water temperatures, the bait conditions and even the water color all come into play. With “not horribly cold” water, as is normal for February, we have a mix of fish that include summer species that are just hanging around. In a La Nina year you can’t predict what’s going to happen. All levels of what would be normal don’t apply right now. Because of this you can have several summer species running with winter species and of course this makes things interesting, if not frustrating.
Well, we’ve finally come to the time of the year when “tourist high season” meets “fishing high season”. What does that mean? It means that we’re in the best two months of the year to target Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado and Yellowfin Tuna. Weather or climate is a beautiful 83 degrees during the day and the water temperatures are prefect for world class fishing. You don’t have to be an expert to have the experience of a lifetime right now. Bait is plentiful, the water is blue and the excitement is high. In fact, it’s time to “Pick Your Fish” at Puerto Vallarta’s world famous fishing grounds, YeHa!
It’s a “life is a box of Chocolates” sort of situation now when it comes to fishing in Puerto Vallarta. It can be hot and then cold, then hot again. We need to remember that fish move and you need to be prepared to chase the birds. If you’re stuck on a boat that won’t use fuel, then you picked the wrong company to fish with. The fact of the matter is you will catch fish, right here, right now! Dorado are averaging over 20 lbs, Sailfish are picking daily in numbers, Marlin, Tuna, maybe even Rooster Fish. With plenty of varied bait there isn’t any problems making bait. Water Temperatures are a bit lower than we like at this time of the year, but still in the “normal” range. Blue water and smooth seas. What more could you want?
After what seems like months of “Wishy Washy” fishing conditions from May to mid-June, it has finally turned into something I can write about, thankfully. What am I talking about, how about some sizeable Yellowfin Tuna at Corbetena. Dorado at El Morro, Marlin, Sailfish, Rooster fish. They’re all out there. Not that they’re not super abundant, but they’re out there and that’s all a fisherman needs to know! Short day, long day, it doesn’t matter, we have great fishing in Puerto Vallarta and it’s only going to get better.
A few weeks ago, we saw an incredible drop in water temperatures which of course pushed the warm water species out and rather quickly I might ad. It decimated the local fishing, but things have improved. Water temperatures are now 70 degrees pretty much in all our world famous fishing grounds. So the local conditions have become a bit more attractive as we have more Striped Marlin moving in. Covid on the other hand is causing some tourism challenges, but not when it comes to fishing. For those lucky enough to be “stuck” in Puerto Vallarta you will for the most part have empty fishing grounds. For the moment the fishing is about as good as you could hope for with plenty of action and Whales are just a side benefit!
Our Amazing Fishing Season Continues, Yellowfin Tuna, Marlin, Sailfish and Dorado!
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.
Every year we know it´s coming, the end of high season for fishing here in PV. Normally by the second week of the New Year we see water temperatures drop and everything changes. This year we saw this happen a little early, we´ve had 76 degree water temps now for about two weeks. We should see Dorado, Marlin, Sailfish and others bugging out. But that´s not the case as we see larger Dorado being boated, Striped Marlin in a frenzy, Blue Marlin are small but there. So no matter how contradictory it may sound, we have cool water and good fishing
