Normally, at this time of the year, my reports on fishing in Puerto Vallarta become a little ‘cookie-cutter-ish’. Which, of course, means they start to look alike. Now that can be a bit boring, but generally, at this time of the year, we’re discussing how Marlin, Tuna and more are moving into the area in a big way.
We do have these species coming into the area, but they’re spread out. Usually we’ll talk about how the fishing is great in this area or that location. But this year, there doesn’t seem to be one place or location that’s hot or on fire. But right now, there is no concentration or location you can point at and say, “The fish are here”! So that means you’ll have to get in the game.
By that, I mean the cookie-cutter charters offered focus on one area or another, but only that area. For local Charter companies, it’s hard to develop a price for the charter based on unlimited fuel usage. But right now if you’re limiting yourself to how much fuel you’ll be using, then what you’re actually doing is putting financial conditions and limitations on the necessary processes of fishing.
When the fishing is predictable, you can get away with that. In times like now, are you going to let your fuel usage determine if you get that ‘finned fantasy’ you’ve been dreaming of all your life?
This week, our cookie-cutter fishing report has a bit of a twist. As I’m writing this, there is a hurricane that formed just south of Puerto Vallarta and is now heading north for Cabo San Lucas. So, this could change the landscape.
But for now, we’re much the same as last week.
Only a little happening around the Rock at Corbetena, but again, head north about ten miles and start looking for the Spinners. If you find these Spinner Dolphins, you’ll catch Yellowfin Tuna anywhere from 30 to 60 lbs. There could be Blue and Black Marlin in the 400 lb range, and there could be Striped Marlin as well. Even with the warmer water, it’s not that warm.
Sailfish are running the neighborhood as well. We haven’t seen any Dorado in this area, but there’s no reason why they are AWOL (absent without leave). Find a floating log or debris and you’ll have all the Dorado action you could want.
Tsuri, a 32ft Grady White I work with, headed out for our “Tuna Safari.” It’s a very long, one-day trip. But if you’re targeting Yellowfin Tuna, this is one of those old-school charters where fuel usage was of no concern.
You’ll be heading out north of El Banco, drop bait there, and head north targeting Yellowfin Tuna anywhere from 40 to 100 lbs right now, all for 36,000 pesos. This, right now, is your best ‘Action Option’ in the entire area. Now, you’ll need a multiday trip if you’re looking for Yellowfin Tuna in excess of 200 lbs – we call them ‘Cows.’ You’ll have to contact me for
details. But if you don’t have the time and still want to target Yellowfin tuna sin fuel restrictions, I’ve got a trip for you, amigos.
Anywhere from El Morro to the north of Sayulita is one of those ‘wide open’ areas I discussed earlier.
I’ve seen some pictures and talked with several private boats (since there are few tourists in September), and I’m hearing this: The farther north you go, the better your chances of boating a sailfish. But, if you’re in the area, from the point of Punta Nayarit, take a heading of 300, go about fifteen miles and there could be Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado, and maybe even a Striped Marlin.
With fields of bait, the issue isn’t finding fish; it’s finding fish that will take the bait.
Hitting the bite right will help your cause. You should be where you want to be, your chosen fishing grounds, before 08:30 since the bite is a moving target right now. The bottom line is, if you want Marlin or Tuna, you should head out for a ten-hour trip minimum.
But if you’re putting in a shorter day and still targeting Marlin and Tuna, you’d be better off on a shorter day, amigo. With the fish so spread out, you can’t limit yourself to a small area and expect bigger-than-life results. For the moment, this may not be your best fishing option.
We’ve had lots of rain inland that has produced a lot of dirty water in the bay. But the local seasonal rain washes things down in the water and ultimately into the bay. These ‘things’ form a trash line, and that is a welcome gift from the fish gods.
When you find this dirty water, the freshwater doesn’t mix well with salt water, leaving the dirty water only on the surface. Now fish love this ‘agua dulce’ and seem to get hungrier! I could be wrong… ha, ha. But, with a mature trash line anywhere in the area, you’ve got a fish machine.
Dorado is in the bay, mostly smaller, under 20 lbs, but they love the ‘trash.’ You’ll also find Jack Crevalles to 35 lbs, Bonito, Skip Jack Tuna to 20 lbs, and Needle fish south of Yelapa. The bottom line is you won’t be disappointed.
For now, I recommend a six-hour trip in the bay, and if you tell me you read this article, I’ll give you a real ‘Septihambre’ deal, amigos!
Ok, water temperatures are a solid 84 degrees. It’s all about blue water once you’re out about ten miles in the bay. So, find the mature trash line.
The bite is still bi-polar with a double bite. My suggestion is to be where you want to be before 08:30 and be prepared for ‘bite action’ until about 11:00 or so.
With plenty of bait, try everything, but remember lures and dead bait, which seem counterproductive but work when nothing else does.
Until next week, don’t forget to kiss your fish!
