If you haven’t figured it out by now, we’re having a really weird fishing season. You see, there is a complex series of events that generally happen, which makes world-class fishing in Puerto Vallarta predictable. But this year is a lot different.
This year, we’re dealing with unusual climate changes, where we’re switching from an El Niño condition into a La Niña in the middle of the fishing season. Normally, this sort of thing happens at the end or beginning of a season and leads into it. This has affected the entire weather pattern locally in the Puerto Vallarta area.
The hurricanes – we usually see 12 to 20 – haven’t happened. Now, this may sound like good news, but for a fisherman, it’s the same as a ‘monkey wrench’ in the machine. Without hurricanes, we don’t have the strong currents that push fish into the area. This includes the varied baits as well.
Essentially, the whole area is just kind of stagnant. That doesn’t mean we don’t have fish; it just means you have to find them, not the current they’re in. Be ready to use some fuel, amigos, it’s work out there!
What we’ve seen at Corbetena is enough to have you pull your hair out, and in my condition, I can’t afford to lose any more hair! But let’s start with the positive, Black Marlin at 400 lbs and up, Blue Marlin in the same size range, Dorado, Sailfish and even Yellowfin Tuna. The conditions are perfect with blue water, a slight increase in water temperature, and plenty of bait. So where are the fish?
They’re out there, but where? The definitive answer is somewhere between Corbetena, El Banco, and Punta Mita to El Morro! Simple, right? Well, maybe not.
You see, normally, we have a whole bunch of hurricanes. The strong currents created by these hurricanes push fish into the area. It’s like a fish highway; they ride into our world-famous fishing grounds. So, no hurricanes means no storm currents! That means it’s as if it’s fish ‘Cruise Night,’ with no particular place to go. So these fish are ‘cruisin’ the neighborhood, amigos. So what does that mean to the paying fisherman looking to boat a ‘finned fantasy’? It means you must have a solid fishing plan and a strong measure of luck, amigos.
First, head to a location about five miles north of the Corbetena rock. From there, head north and look for the Spinner Dolphin! The Spinners are sprinkled throughout the area, and 30 to 60 lb Yellowfin Tuna ‘footballs.’ For the most part, if you find the Spinners, you’ll have some great action.
Your next best option is to find a floating log or debris. This will be a guaranteed Dorado (to 25 lbs) hotbed. Then, of course, look for the birds! And in between all of this, drop baits and troll, but keep your eyes peeled! Your radar can help find birds, but you get the idea, right? It’s all about burning fuel and pushing water.
Also, with all the flying fish and assorted baits, sometimes it’s best to start with a dead bait. Feeling lucky?
For Yellowfin Tuna fanatics, the season is coming on nicely as water temperatures warm up a bit. It’s that time of the year when you can expect to see Cows, aka Yellowfin Tuna, over 250 lbs. Now I know many call Yellowfin Tuna larger than 200 lbs as “Super Cows.” Living in Puerto Vallarta, anything over 200 lbs is considered a “Monster.” But the term Super Cow is accurate and they could be there waiting for you now.
Where? You may ask. The northernmost island, Juanito, is alive and full of Yellowfin Tuna action. This is a 2.5-day minimum trip, so it’s not something you’ll be able to access in one day. Our one-day trips get to just off Cleofa or Cleofas, depending on the map you are reading. But the fact is, for those looking for Possible-World-Record, Marlin-Magazine-
class Yellowfin Tuna, possibly over 300. Possibly pushing 400 lbs.
If interested, we have several options that will save you a few pesos compared to my competition. Big Black Marlin have been reported at Cleofa. But the whole area is a fantastic fishing location. It’s not cheap, but we do what we can to keep prices down and embarrass our competitors!
Anywhere, from El Morro to Punta Mita, things have improved. Finally, we’re seeing some rain; it’s been a relatively dry summer. We haven’t seen much of a trash line, but this is finally changing as we’re getting more of the seasonal rains.
Now, the new, fresh trash lines never have much hanging around them. But if you find a mature trash line, say a few days or more old, you’ve got a fish goldmine. Dorado will be your primary player in the 10 to 20 lb range right now. But Bonito and Skip Jack Tuna will ride the line eating whatever looks interesting. This includes smaller species like Goggle eyes, which, of course, attract larger fish.
Find a floating log or debris; shortly after that, you’ll be in the action. If targeting Billfish, about 16 miles off the point of Punta Mita (on a 315
heading) there are Sailfish and Striped Marlin. There could be Spinner Dolphin in the area and possibly Jack Crevalles off the point.
Roosterfish is a strong ‘maybe’ north of Sayulita or the Anegados area, but it’s a long way to go on a ‘maybe.’ Only a few reports from this area for the last couple of weeks. But the water is blue out about five miles, smooth seas, and plenty of bait are a magic combination. Still feeling lucky?
Inside the bay, this week is much the same as last week, but now we also have a trash line here. Look for the older trash lines deeper in the bay, and you may find the action you’re looking for. Of course, we’re still seeing Jack Crevalles in Nuevo Vallarta and La Cruz, but if you’re at the other end of the bay near Los Arcos, you have a shot at Dorado, all be it on the smaller side. Bonito to 20 lbs, large Skipjack Tuna in the 20 lb range. Needle fish are a bit more to the south but fun to catch. With Sailfish in the area, I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw some in the bay soon.
There is plenty of action in the bay, and you’ll have a great day.
Ok, things change pretty quickly around here, and by the time you read this, they probably already have. Water temperatures have bumped to the 84/85 degree range, and that’s a good thing.
There is plenty of bait in the bay and around the area. Remember to run a lure and possibly have dead bait to mix things up. The bite is still weird, so I’m putting people out early, about 06:00, if heading out for eight hours or more. We still see an early bite at about 08:00 and another at about 09:30. If you’re lucky, some fish will come up then, and you’ll be fortunate indeed!
Until next week, don’t forget to kiss your fish!
