As we move deeper into the summer fishing season, High Season for fishing in Puerto Vallarta, Banderas Bay is coming alive, and it’s all right on time. As we inch our way to September and arguably the best fishing of the year, we’re seeing Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, and Dorado all increasing in numbers.
As summer currents and water temperatures enter the perfect range, we can only expect the fishing and conditions to continually improve from this point forward. We’re in the rainy season now, and the rain is heaven-sent.
With a beautiful ‘trash line’, created by the rain pushing all sorts of debris and organic type ‘stuff’ into the bay, it’s Dorado heaven. But to keep things in perspective, the Dorado for the most part are at or under 10 lbs.
The range for Marlin is 400 lbs, but some are much larger. For those lucky enough to be fishing in Puerto Vallarta, the fishing grounds are vacant, the conditions are almost perfect, and we’re catching fish! What else do you need to know?
Anywhere from Corbetena to El Banco and in between is seeing world-class action, focusing on Corbetena and El Banco, we’re seeing Blue Marlin and Black Marlin starting at 180 lbs, but can be up to or over 400 lbs. Sailfish have moved into the entire area and are picking up in numbers by the day.
Everyone always wants to know about Yellowfin Tuna, and we’re seeing them anywhere from 40 up to 80 lbs. But if you’re targeting Yellowfin Tuna, you’d be best served to go about ten miles north of the high spots at El Banco.
While Tuna is available at Corbetena, it’s more or less an ‘incidental catch’ for now at the Rock. Basically, you’ve got to be lucky! It’s still early in the season, so be patient. There are some Dorado, mostly small, again, and frankly, larger Dorado and more abundant in the bay. More on this shortly.
Be warned: El Banco is mostly about Blue and Black Marlin around the high spots for now. Every day, the fishing is getting a little better; the fishing is good, but in the next few weeks, it will turn ‘world-class’ again. With plenty of bait in the form of Skipjack Tuna or ‘Skippies’, flying fish, Ballyhoo’s, Sardines and more, there aren’t any issues making bait at your chosen fishing grounds. But if you come across bait, grab it. There are no guarantees in fishing, so get the bait when you can.
Moving closer into the eight-hour duration fishing grounds, we’re seeing Sailfish, Bonito about 20 lbs, Rooster fish at 20 to 40 lbs, north of Sayulita, and possible Dorado. If targeting Sailfish, you’ll find them 7 to 9 miles off the point of Punta Nayarit. At about the 15-mile mark, you’ll have Blue and Black Marlin running the area, but you’ll be pretty much at El Banco at that point. The good news is that there is a mature trash line about ten miles off the point where you should find Dorado. The same goes for any floating logs or debris; this is a Dorado gold mine.
With plenty of bait in the area and blue water, the odds are stacked in your favor.
What’s going on inside the bay is an interesting story. With the lack of recent rains, the water is pretty much clean except around the beaches. Usually, inside the bay, boating a Sailfish is pretty rare. But it happens enough these days to mention them in the weekly reports.
There have been substantial amounts of Skipjack Tuna as bait around the La Cruz Marina, so you can guess this is a Sailfish hot-spot. For some reason, there have been some Sailfish boated in the middle of the bay. But the winner is at the rocks at Los Arcos. Sailfish follow a ridge from Corbetena into this area, and if you’re going to target Sailfish in the bay, this would be a primary spot to consider.
No real trash-line in the bay, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t Dorado to be had. There is also a good concentration of Skipjacks – they taste great and make excellent bait.
Jack Crevalles are still running the neighborhood at Nuevo Vallarta, La Cruz, and, of course, on the south end of the bay. Throw in Bonito and Needle Fish, and you’ve got some great action in a shorter and more affordable day. One more thing, Dorado are in the Los Arcos area, but many are under 10 lbs, which means you shouldn’t keep them. Take a pic, then throw them back.
Oh, and Rooster fish at 20 to 30 lbs are at the Punta Negra or Garza Blanca hotel area as well.
Okay, here are the essential details: the bite is still about 09:00, but those getting out earlier are having some good luck. I suggest being on the water no later than 07:00. Water temperatures are still 86 degrees, but there will be areas where it may be a little warmer.
As we enter September, the water temperatures will increase, and when that happens, we see Black Marlin increase in numbers. Live bait is king, but if you’re running lures, Dorado colors of green, yellow, and black will do the trick. We should also see some larger Yellowfin Tuna in the coming weeks.
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Until next week, don’t forget to kiss your fish!
