Here we are in September, arguably the hottest and most humid month of the year. That may sound like a bad thing, but we know when it comes to fishing in Puerto Vallarta’s Banderas Bay, the hotter, the better! Being close to the equator, the sun is directly overhead and the days are long. Water temperatures naturally rise and conditions become almost perfect for Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Dorado, and Sailfish to name the most popular species. From now until about the end of December, the fishing in Puerto Vallarta’s fishing grounds is about as good as it’s going to get. For now, it’s the beginning stages of High Season for Fishing, the crowds are low and the fishing grounds are basically empty except for a few lucky Anglers and the private boats. The Marlin are getting larger during the day and the Sailfish are picking up in numbers as you’d expect come Mid-September. It’s time to raid the piggy bank and make your own plans to boat a once in a lifetime experience!
You may have noticed that I haven’t written an article last week like I normally do, nothing had changed and frankly the fishing wasn’t worth writing about. Tourism is down, so very few boats are heading out. But the private boats have been rocking at El Banco. The simple fact is we’ve just gone through the seasonal change where the warm water species are continuing to move in as the winter, or cold-water species are trickling out. We’ve had an interesting summer so far, not much rain so the trash line has been neutralized for the most part. But we’re seeing warmer water temperatures right on time. Bait is perfect, the water is a high visibility blue and the Marlin are rolling in. We’re in tournament season now and conditions will only get better from this point forward.
When it comes to fishing right now, especially at our deep-water fishing grounds of Corbetena and El Banco. Fishing is a Rollercoaster, some days up, some days down, but always changing. We have plenty of fish, they’re out there. We have plenty of bait and blue water. And we have plenty of wide-open spaces. Fishing has been spread out for weeks now, nothing new there. The frustration comes when the Lookie-Lu’s, just look and not take the bait. For the last week, we’ve seen more than our share of this, but we all know, conditions can change in a heart beat and again we have fish. Times like this require a skilled Captain and crew, not to mention a little luck never hurts.
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.
