We’re at that time of the year again when we have a hard time predicting where the fish are. After a few days of incredible fishing, things have taken a step back.
We’re still in limbo as we’re waiting for our world-class species to show up. The fishing in Puerto Vallarta at this time of the year is usually a little more active than what we see now.
Your short day fishing trips inside the Bay of Banderas are full of action if you hit the bite right. Your other best options is the Corbetena. El Banco was showing signs of life with those huge Black Marlin last week. But after that, there have essentially been no charter or private fishing trips to this area. Well, let’s just say I couldn’t dig up any information from this world-famous deep-water fishing area. But as always, things change in a heartbeat as tourist season begins now.
Corbetena, blue water, smooth seas, and plenty of bait in the water. The conditions are actually very good in the area. Blue Marlin at 200 to 250 lbs are running the area. Yellowfin Tuna Footballs at 30lbs are smaller this week but still fun to catch and great bait for larger species. The Sailfish are running the neighborhood, and the numbers are picking up by the day.
With plenty of bait, Corbetena is where you want to go for larger species. Last week, El Banco had some monster Black Marlin, and frankly, I have no reason to think they’ve left the area. So, I guess it’s a bit of a gamble as to which one to hit. Good luck, amigos.
There really isn’t much to say when it comes to the area from El Morro to Punta Nayarit aka Punta Mita. You may get lucky and boat a Sailfish, maybe you’ll find a Dorado if you find debris or a trash line. Yes, you’ll find smaller game, and if you’re fishing out of Punta Nayarit, it may be worth the time to head north of San Pancho for Sailfish and Dorado. Again, good luck, amigos.
What is surprising to me is the action in the bay. I sent one boat out this week, a group that arrived late and wanted to jump on a boat. The afternoon bite is very weak, and, if fishing in the bay after 1:00, things can be strange.
Hit the early bite at about 08:00, and anything is possible. There are, strangely enough, Sailfish (small) in the bay. We also have Dorado, but most are on the small side under 10 lbs. But there are some reports of Dorado in the 15 lb range, so again, anything is possible.
Large Skipjack Tuna are running the Yelapa area. I’d pretty much go straight to the Los Arcos area and give it your best shot there.
We haven’t seen much rain this season, so the trash line hasn’t been much of a factor. But there is a trash line, such as it is in the bay, and there is action around it; it is still a good idea to work it. As mentioned earlier, the bite is about 07:30, but remember the sun is coming up now at about 06:30 and Mexico stopped the Daylight Savings plan like Arizona. So 06:30 is the latest you want to leave the dock if fishing in the bay.
Now, if you’re heading out to the deep-water fishing grounds, you should be leaving about 05:30. Use the Skippies, aka Skipjack Tuna, for bait and run a lure that mimics Dorado, and again, anything can happen, amigos. Stay positive and enjoy your day on the water.
Until next week, don’t forget to kiss your fish!
