Once we enter September, the popular and primary species of Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Sailfish, and Dorado all start picking up in numbers. But the fishing in Puerto Vallarta is in a bit of a void.
Tourism is down, so we have very few boats heading out. But we’re coming into the peak of fishing season, and the hard-core fishermen aren’t here yet. So, very few trips are heading out, but this is normal until the first weeks of October. Hopefully, the fishing will explode at that point as tourism begins to pick up.
Conditions are much the same as last week, but there is always a twist. For some reason, Yellowfin Tuna turned up at Corbetena. Dorado are also in the area, and they are a decent size.
The water is blue, the bait abundant, and the conditions are almost perfect. Now, it’s still going to be work, but things can change slowly. It will all start to happen now, little by little. Or, as the locals say, poco a poco!
Two or three weeks ago, I was complaining about Corbetena being dead as a doornail. Then last week, all of a sudden, five miles or so south of the Rock at Corbetena, there were some Marlin.
This week, we’re finally seeing some Yellowfin Tuna action, and they’re in the 40 to 60 lb range. They’re not super-abundant, but they’re in the area. But they’re not alone, Sailfish and Blue Marlin are also running a large circle around Corbetena. The water is blue, the bait is varied and abundant.
Dorado are also in the area, find some debris or floating logs and get ready for action. But you don’t need a log to find Dorado; they’re taking trolled baits now and are at the 25 lb mark. Things are perfect and you could spend most of the duration scratching your head. But for those looking to take a chance, it pays off in golden Dorado and memories that will last a lifetime.
I have no reports or information from El Banco; if you’re heading out this way, share your report with me!
For now, if you decide to go outside the bay, the area between El Morro to Corbetena is where most of the action is. When we look at Punta Mita, there is very little action at all.
After saying that, there are Dorado in the 15 lb range, around any debris or floating object. Of course, there are always Jack Crevalles, Bonito, and Skip Jack Tuna as bait and, of course, all the varied baits of all kinds.
For now, if you’re feeling lucky and willing to roll the dice, anything is possible, and remember, things can change in a heartbeat. So, are you feeling lucky?
When fishing in the bay, the action is always great. Right now, the Bay of Banderas is alive and active, with Dorado in the 6 lb range by the millions. They’re small, throw those back, but some excellent 10 to 12-lb Dorado are also in the bay.
Roosterfish are being reported in the Garza Blanca or Punta Negra area in the 25 to 30 lb range. Remember, Cabo Corrientes is Roosterfish heaven, but that’s a ten-hour day. There are lots of Needlefish near Yelapa and many beautiful 15 lb Skip Jack Tuna. And we’ve even seen a couple of small Sailfish chasing bait into the bay. For now, I suggest a six-hour trip and enjoy the smaller gamefish action on tap!
We’re seeing Hurricane John walking up the coastline, and we could see drastic changes in the action in a few days. Water temperatures are a perfect 86 degrees, Bluewater, and tons of bait to entice larger fish. Stay tuned on this one.
There are massive amounts of Skip Jack Tuna all around the rock and this has been an issue, but with the Hurricane, cross your fingers; things will likely improve.
The bite is early. I suggest you leave the dock for a short or longer duration day. For now, I can only keep an eye on the news; I’m pretty positive about this storm marching up the coast.
Until next week, don’t forget to kiss your fish!
