I write these fishing articles all year long. But the time we have our best fishing is right now. When Puerto Vallarta fishing kicks into gear, it’s one of the best fishing areas in the world, no joke.
And if you’re here, you can catch the entire list of species we have to offer. Right now, having Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna, and more is a godsend. But on the other hand, it’s not a perfect world, and there are always challenges.
Our world-class fishing grounds are a wide-open ‘playground,’ and they’re not hanging out at one place. With massive amounts of bait moving throughout the entire area, where to go is essentially a roll of the dice. But with the kind of conditions we have now, short days with family action or long days with fish bigger than your car is what you’ll have to choose from. But no matter how those dice roll, you’ll be coming up a winner.
At 35 miles out from Marina Vallarta, you’ll come across a small island, essentially a ‘rock’. When you see that rock you’ve arrived at Corbetena.
Considered one of the top ten fishing grounds in the world, when you arrive, you’ll know why. With Large Sailfish, Dorado from 25 to 50 lb, Yellowfin Tuna from 60 to 180 lb, and then of course, you have Black Marlin and Blue Marlin running anywhere from 250 lb to Moby Dick size!
With high-visibility blue water, plenty of varied baits, and perfect water and air temperatures. Right now, it’s a ‘fisherman’s dream.’ Many people target and chase these species, never getting the exact fish they want. Right now, that’s not a problem. If you’re heading to El Banco, carbon copy the information above! But they’re always bigger at El Banco!
The entire area has something to offer our visiting anglers. El Morro to north of Punta
Nayarit, aka Punta de Mita, has all the arm-burning action you could want. Off El Morro, we’ve been seeing good-sized Rooster fish at about 35 lb, Large Sailfish, Dorado at 20 lb, or so.
Once you’re past the seven-mile mark off Punta Nayarit, there have been smaller Blue Marlin there as well. Near Cayalleros, Roosterfish have been running about 30 to 45 lb. This would be an eight-hour duration fishing trip or many would call a full day of fishing. Once again, the same perfect conditions, sin Yellowfin Tuna. I’m smiling as I write this because I know somebody out there is heading to Vallarta and will be able to enjoy this gift from the fishing gods.
Now, not everyone wants to spend from sunup to sundown on a boat chasing world-class fish. For those people who would like to have a nice fishing excursion and not break the bank, a six or even a four-hour trip right now will give you great action with some sizeable fish!
Los Arcos is full of Dorado, Skipjack Tuna, Jack Crevalle’s (aka Torro’s), and Sailfish! Sailfish have been in the entire bay, to be honest. Frankly, the bay has been surprising lately.
I had some clients head out for four hours and boated two Sailfish and two Dorado at 15 lb in four hours! Now, not everyone will be this lucky, but it’s encouraging to know that the family fishing tours of four and six hours will have fond memories for a lifetime!
If you’re here in Vallarta right now, it would be a shame to miss this fishing opportunity. With water temperatures being between 84 and 85 degrees, we should start seeing Wahoo soon! The bait situation is incredible with Ballyhoo’s, flying fish, Goggle Eyes, Sardines, and the list goes on. Blue water, smooth seas. I mean, it’s perfect right now. The bite is still at 08:30-ish, so be where you want to be before that time. One secret, when you know there’s fish around you, but they’re not taking bait. Do something weird and run a dead bait, you may be pleasantly surprised.
Until next week, don’t forget to kiss your fish!
