Water Temperatures Dropping, Plentiful Bait, Reducing Numbers on Dorado and Marlin

Written by: Stan Gabruk of Master Baiter´s Sportfishing & Tackle

Well, it’s finally happening, the water temperatures have dropped to the “degrees” that would be normal for this time of the year. Up to this point visiting angles have had the luxury of having several summer species hanging around in the “winter” fishing season. Dorado, Striped Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna will be fading out shortly. Normally or this time of the year 74 to about 72 degrees is normal, but will probably continue to drop for a few weeks more before we see things reverse itself around the beginning of May. From about now to that time frame we’ll be seeing our normal winter species and fishing conditions. This is normal, don’t be alarmed! In fact it’s great news to me personally, it was looking like a possible El Nino year, which we could do without!

Having said this for now Dorado are thinning in size and numbers. Sailfish are still running the fishing grounds, Stripers (Striped Marlin) at 75 lbs are smaller but still around at. All and all as far as “winter” fishing goes, we’ve been lucky to have unusual warm currents. With these lingering warm water species combined with the cold water species it’s more or less a fish stew of sorts out there.

It’s been interesting at Corbetena this week seeing massive amounts of bait, flying fish, Plantinllos (a sardine like fish that’s almost transparent), Skippies, Bullet Bonito and more. This is when bait becomes an issue as getting fish to turn their head in your baits direction is difficult. So we still have summer species in the area but it’s spread out. Sailfish and Striped Marlin are running between Corbetena and Punta Mita, like I said, spread out! There have been a lot of Facebook post of 60 lb Yellowfin Tuna but this is bogus information.  Yellowfin Tuna in the 60 lb range are about 6 miles north of the rock and will if lucky will take a trolled Goggle Eye. Kites would be your best option for the time being if targeting Yellowfin. With so many Skip jack Tuna in the area it would be worth your time to get a few in your tuna tubes. Dorado are still around but getting smaller by the day and it looks like we’ll be seeing fewer in the coming weeks. If heading to Corbetena drop baits there and work your way towards the rock. Water temperatures are still swirling so look for the warmer currents and you’re day could be memorable!

The area between El Morro to Punta Mita is alive with action, but to be frank it’s on and off out there. If you’re early, before the types that patrol around you can get some nice sized Pompano in the 30 lb range off the reefs. Off El Morro there have been some Striped Marlin and heading toward Corbetena or Punta Mita your chances of boating a 175 lb Striper goes up. Sailfish are also in the area as are Jack Crevalls, Bonito to 20 lbs, Sierra Mackerels to 12 lbs which is huge for this species. Possible Dorado around any floating debris or logs. Most coming in from this area are seeing three to five solid strikes, it’s up to you to boat these dream fish.

Inside the bay we’re seeing fewer Dorado as you’d expect this late in the season. Sailfish are also thin in numbers but they’re still being boated in the bay. Sierra Mackerels are fat as mentioned earlier, great tasting and at 10 plus pounds they’re great eating and fun. Jack Crevalls at 30 to 50 lbs are the “bread and butter” fish of PV. Snook are still running around the river areas and if the water drops we’ll start seeing Snapper and Grouper at the Ameca River! For the family the action is great. For the experienced angler looking for some arm burning action in the bay, he or she will be happy. But, be aware in the bay anything can happen, good and bad. With all the Whale food in the water, even the Sierra Mackerels are stuffing themselves with Krill Squids and Shrimps. As are the Jack Crevalls, Dorado, Sailfish and everything else that eats out there. Because of this some days in the bay are great, some days can be difficult. But there are fish all over the place so keep positive and remember something out there is taking baits!! But be warned and informed about this.

We’re seeing the early bite at 08:00 in the morning now and the late bite is just after 3 in the afternoon. So sleep in a bit, get some coffee, then head out amigos. Water temperatures are dropping and swirling. Warm water is at 74 degrees, cooler than last week. With clean green water still in the area Sails and Stripers don’t seem to mind the cooler water so don’t avoid this area, but I wouldn’t linger if nothing is happening. Baits that are working this week are mostly Google Eyes and Dorado mimicking lures like green Iguana lures or Dorado colored. Also pink and blue lure for some reason are working also!

At the Tres Maria Islands things have been happening. It’s been up and down lately with massive amounts to bait coming through the area there were a few days that left us scratching our heads. That all changed quickly enough and for the last five days it’s be phenomenal! Reports have been a little sparse but when it gets slow like this People can switch to bottom fishing for Amber Jacks at 45 lbs and Cubera Snappers aka Pargo to 65 lbs. Tuna are mostly running between 200 and 250 lbs with some larger and smaller one being boated. With the drop in water temperatures this area normally doesn’t get slow for long. People are coming back in with an average of three to four Yellowfin Tuna not to mention whatever else is out there. Don’t forget about Rooster Fish as well around the structure, they can be huge!  

We have some new services like renting surf fishing poles (comes with a small pack of lures), you can now share a boat for eight hours affordably. And we also have some loss leader promotions you’ll find on my Facebook pages (Master Baiter’s Sportfishing & Tackle). Benjamin our Tour Expert can wrap this all up in one nice package so you don’t need to fret with some of these Bozos out there. 

Until next week, don’t forget to kiss your fish!

Web page:  www.MasterBaiters.com.mx , Local Phone at: (044) 322 779 7571 or our international number is: 011 52 322 209 1128 10 to 9 local time. #MasterBaitersSportfishing on Instagram, Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Master-Baiters-Sportfishing-Tackle/88817121325

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