At best, when discussing fishing conditions in Puerto Vallarta’s Bay of Banderas, all I can do right now is roll my eyes. You might wonder why—well, it seems the fishing has come to a halt. With water temperatures below 70 degrees, we’re not seeing the expected warm-water species, and the cold-water species are also absent. It’s got us all scratching our heads. But I shouldn’t be surprised; March is often like this. Typically, we expect to see the return of Sailfish, which usually means an uptick in their numbers. While there are still a few striped Marlin out there, the catch rate is only about 30%. It’s like being in a fishing ‘Twilight Zone’—some action can be had, but it’s not guaranteed!
Last week, I focused on bottom fishing. Many customers came into the shop looking to target Cubera Snappers, Amberjack, and other species I’ve mentioned in previous articles. Then the water turned murky down to the sea floor. Fish won’t bite on bait or lures they can’t see. Although there are still some striped Marlin in the area, the water temperatures have hit yearly lows, and the catch rate remains under 30%. For now, don’t waste your hard-earned money on companies claiming there are Marlin, Tuna, and Sailfish in abundance just to fill their pockets at your expense.
El Banco is experiencing the same issues. There were a few areas with blue water for a short time, but that has since changed. When blue water returns, El Banco will be the first to see it. I’ve received reports of Yellowfin Tuna, but they’re around 30 lbs. and it’s still uncertain if it’s worth heading out. Again, give it a few days and check my reports. Feel free to email or call me for updates.
I wish I could say the area from El Morro to Punta Nayarit is doing better, but it’s not. I sent some clients out for bottom fishing, and they didn’t have much luck. If you’re lucky, you might find some Jack Crevalle, Bonito, and a few other species. For now, any fishing outside the bay feels like a gamble. I wish I had better news, but we know that if you don’t like the current conditions, sometimes it just takes a few days for things to change.
On the inside of the bay, the main players are still Jack Crevalle, Bonito, and Sierra Mackerel. I’ve been offering our most affordable boats for four-hour trips. To be honest, while some return with fish, others come back empty-handed. Even though the bite has been happening after 9 AM, getting out a little earlier might increase your chances. I’ve noticed that our early morning clients are having better luck than those who head out later. My advice is to take a six-hour trip to give yourself ample time to find fish in the bay; four hours just doesn’t seem to be enough.
So, what can we expect in the coming weeks? March is typically when we see the return of Sailfish and Striped Marlin. In April, water temperatures will start to rise a bit, signaling the beginning of ‘spring fever’ for local species. After Easter, things tend to get a little unpredictable. Generally, after Easter and into May, tourism slows down as we transition into the Spring/Summer season. We always catch fish in the bay, so keep an eye on these articles for updates. But like the past week, there are times that leave us scratching our heads.
As I mentioned earlier, the bite has been occurring later in the morning for several weeks now. However, things are starting to shift, and getting out a little earlier could improve your chances. Leaving the dock around 7:30 AM for a six-hour trip maximizes your opportunity to catch fish. Live bait is king, but it’s also smart to have a variety of colorful lures on hand. One day they might prefer purple lures, while the next, they’ll go for green and black digging baits. Take this information and make the most of it.
Until next week, don’t forget to kiss your fish!
