Yellowfin Tuna Fade, Marlin Increase, Sailfish Moving
Written by: Stan Gabruk owner of Master Baiter´s Sportfishing & Tackle
One thing for sure, when it comes to fishing what happened yesterday is no guarantee it will happen again tomorrow. Fishing is Fishing and as long as fishing is fishing, then it´s going to be fishing, which is the reason we don´t call it catching (I bet you re-read that a couple of times). Those who jumped on a boat last week expecting Yellowfin Tuna at Corbeteña for the most part came in empty handed. The sixty pounders turned into twenty five pounders, which may seem negative, but these smaller Yellowfin Tuna are perfect bait size and that is what the Marlin are chasing. Dorado are still happening at will and of course as you´d expect Sailfish have taken over. Even if the Tuna are on the sparse side, the fishing is still world class here in Puerto Vallarta.
There has been some definite weirdness going on this past week. Sailfish have moved farther off shore, so for the moment hanging around El Morro is not the place to be for Sails. But if you head over to the Punta Mita Point you´ll find all the Sailfish you could hope to find. Dorado are also in the area anywhere from 20 to 35 lbs. And if you have the inkling to head out a little, you will find Blue Marlin, not bad if you ask me.
Those heading to the deep water fishing grounds of El Banco and Corbeteña will find this is where the Sailfish have moved in mass. The Yellowfin Tuna as mentioned earlier are now in the bait sized range, which of course is disappointing for those looking for Monster Tuna. On the other hand, Marlin love this sized ¨bait¨ and as a result it has drawn in more Blue and Black Marlin into the area. Those heading to El Banco will see even larger Marlin and could run into the 750 lb range, up from the 250 to 550 lb range of last week. There have been sighting of larger Yellowfin Tuna around the high spots, but the hook-ups spit the hook, so no pictures, no Tuna. Dorado anywhere from 25 to 55 lbs, Cubera Snappers to 65 lbs for the bottom fishing guys with the occasional and unexpected Wahoo in the 40 to 60 lb range. Most don´t target Wahoo (known as Ono in Hawaii) since you need to run wire leader. You see Wahoo have teeth like a Ginsu Knife and will cut through your line like butter. Most boated Wahoo here in PV is done by accident, the fish will somehow hook themselves in the corner of their mouth which means if this is you, you got lucky. For now if you´re looking to target larger fish then you´ll be heading out to Corbeteña or El Banco, good luck amigo.
The Marietta Islands and El Morro are less than exciting right now. You have a slight shot at Dorado, but the Bonito and jack Crevalls, maybe some Snappers. All and all, nothing in the area for the moment that will grab your attention.
One last thing, remember the female Dorado are all full of eggs. If you keep the females, then you´re just hurting the future of fishing in the area. When it comes to Sailfish, or any Billfish, there is no reason to bring in six for pictures. If you´re captain kills the Sailfish and Marlin, don´t tip them. If you are fishing inside the Tres Maria Islands, anywhere inside the twelve mile limit, even if you are on a paid charter boat, you´re a POACHER. It´s time we started thinking conservation in Mexico for future generations and for ourselves as we are ultimately responsible for the actions of the crews we´re paying for (subsidizing actually). If your crew keeps killing Billfish and you told them not to, they won´t listen to you. You see, you just took $150 usd out of their pocket for every Sailfish from fish markets. Now this is illegal, Charter boats are not commercial fishing operations, but when nobody enforces the regulations, then there are no regulations. Have fun, but be aware, you have the power of the tip and your return business.
Until next time don’t forget to kiss your fish and remember at Master Baiter’s Sportfishing & Tackle “ We Won’t Jerk You Around”!
Master Baiter´s has changed locations in Marina Vallarta between docks A and B on the boardwalk. Email your Questions to me at: CatchFish@MasterBaiters.com.mx Web page: www.MasterBaiters.com.mx , Local Phone at: (044) 322 779 75 71 or if roaming: 011 52 1 322 779 75 71 cell phone direct Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Master-Baiters-Sportfishing-Tackle/88817121325 The trade name Master Baiter’s ® Sportfishing and Tackle is protected under trade mark law and is the sole property of Stan Gabruk.
