Here we are in September, arguably the hottest and most humid month of the year. That may sound like a bad thing, but we know when it comes to fishing in Puerto Vallarta’s Banderas Bay, the hotter, the better!
Being close to the equator, the sun is directly overhead, and the days are long. Water temperatures naturally rise and conditions become almost perfect for Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Dorado, and Sailfish to name the most popular species.
From now until about the end of December, the fishing in Puerto Vallarta is about as good as it’s going to get. It’s the beginning stages of peak season for fishing, the crowds are small, and the fishing grounds are basically empty except for a few lucky anglers and private boats.
Marlin are getting bigger, and the Sailfish are picking up in numbers as you’d expect come mid-September. It’s time to raid the piggy bank and make your plans for a once-in-a-lifetime boating experience!
This week, we had a few boats head out to El Banco and Corbetena. It has turned into Marlin City out there!
You’ll find Marlin sprinkled between the High Spots and the Rock at Corbetena. Bait is readily available, and frankly, the Billfish aren’t really picky about the Bait right now.
At El Banco, Blue and Black Marlin are running anywhere from 250 lb to well over 400 pounds. There have been some Black Marlin that got up to the boat that were over 600 lb before being released.
There have been Spinner Dolphins in the area as well, with Yellowfin Tuna Footballs in the 25 to 40 lb range. Separately, Yellowfin Tuna weighing 40 to 150 lbs have been boated at Corbetena. And at El Banco, reports from my friends with private boats are telling me Yellowfin Tuna at 150 to 180 lb have been boated on live Skipjack Tuna. But before you get too excited, there were only two in this range. But anything over 40 lb is outside of the average. So, keep your expectations in check.
We’ve been expecting Dorado, but so far, nothing much to speak of in the deep water locations. Having said that, in Mazatlán, just a few hundred miles north of Puerto Vallarta, Dorado have been plentiful, so I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect Dorado to move in shortly. There are also some Sailfish in the area, but not too many.
Moving closer in, the point of Nayarit is sporting high-visibility blue water with Sailfish about four miles off the point. Sailfish numbers are picking up by the day, as is normal for this time of the year. Dorado are also beginning to move in, but they’re mostly smaller. Still, there are some in the 12 to 15 lb range. Dorado will continue to increase in numbers and size, so be patient.
Something surprising is the fact that Blue Marlin have come in close at the 7-to-10-mile mark off the point, and they’re hungry amigos.
For now, if you’re looking for Billfish, this area is a good option, and with a good crew, you’ll have a smile that will last a lifetime.
Inside the bay is the same as last week. One thing that many people don’t realize is that the bay is an excellent option in the wintertime with many cold-water species hanging out.
Once we get into this time of the year, our focus turns to the deep-water locations. Still, the bay is a lot of fun, and we’re starting to see the massive amounts of baby Dorado maturing to the point where they’re turning into ‘keepers’.
Most of the Dorado action in the bay is near Los Arcos to Punta Negra area in front of the Garza Blanca Hotel. For some reason, there are Sailfish in the same area and at the opposite end of the bay near La Cruz Marina. There is some deep water in that area, and that’s probably the reason, but they’re there where you’d never expect them.
We still have Jack Crevalles in the bay with Bonito, Skip Jack Tuna, Snook or Robalo, near the rivers. The Trash line has been less than perfect, but we’ve had some heavy rain, so if you come across a mature trash line, you will have found the jackpot.
And of course, there are always Rooster fish in the Mayto area in Cabo Corrientes at the extreme south end of the bay. But for those looking for a shorter day on the water, you’ll have action and a ton of fun inside the bay.
No real secrets this week, live Bait is available and varied, but it’s still your best bait option. Dead Bait is working, and Lures will work, it’s not too complicated right now.
Water temperatures are still hovering just under 90 degrees; Black marlin love the warmer water, and usually, Dorado do also. When the water temps get to this level, Yellowfin Tuna will go deep to adjust their body temperatures. This is normal, so be sure to have a downrigger onboard. If you don’t have a sounder, or fish finder, set your downrigger to 120 to 150 feet, you’ll be in the right depth, but be careful, you may lose your weight if it’s shallower than your set depth!
The bite isn’t changing much, just be where you want to be at about 08:00 and you’ll be right on time, amigos.
Until next week, don’t forget to kiss your fish!
