Sails, Dorado, Pargo, All Here Now!
With Easter falling a month early this year, tourism has slowed down for a few weeks which means we’ve seen less people than normal for this time of year. The lucky ones that are here have been enjoying some wonderful Spring Weather with cool nights and warm days. Perfect for those summer fashions for the ladies and great for the guy who wants to cruise around in T-Shirts and flip flops!
Fishing these days is pretty casual as well. You can rely on catching something these days when heading out to the fishing grounds. The short trips of four hours is not exactly a great option, but those venturing out for six or more hours can enjoy some exciting days and relaxed evenings while enjoying your catch on a plate in front of you! Throw in a cold beer and you’re talking my language!
For those with the time (and money) trips to El Banco are producing Yellowfin Tuna running 50 lbs or so, Mahi Mahi are in the 48 inch length, Snappers are still thick in the 35 lb range, even Sailfish are being boated in the area. Many Striped Marlin have been sighted, but they’ve been fickle like a girl with too many choices! Things have loosened up at El Banco and it’s about time amigo!
Corbetena is showing more signs of life with the occasional Wahoo. Yellowfin Tuna are here also, using surface baits like Poppers when trolling fails is working well. Colors lately have been varied, but purple tiger prints, Pink tiger prints, red and white combinations all have had their day lately. Remember is you’re coming down to Puerto Vallarta and you have some new teasers or baits, feel free to bring them with you. Many time the latest and greatest stuff on the market can make a difference and after all, isn’t that the reason you bought the stuff?
El Morro, The Marrietta Islands, Punta Mita and points north have been a hot bed the last few weeks for Rooster fish, Jack Crevells, Torros, Snapper or Pargo in Spanish, Skip Jack Tuna, and the list goes on. One good this, the Eels that invaded the area seem to have moved on so you won’t be boating anything “weird” out there. Great for six to eight hour trips. One suggestion, if you’re heading out for a half day trip, leave a little later in the day. I’d suggest 8:30 a.m., it puts you on the fish in the time frame they start biting or in fisherman lingo, the bite happens about 90 minutes after the sun rises into the late afternoon. Getting out there too early when shooting for Roosters will just burn your hours.
The bait seems to have thinned out a bit which should make the available pescado or fish more likely to take your bait. Today I had some clients head out and find it hard to make bait, which isn’t that unusual. If this happens, it’s good to use fresh dead bait and lures. So it’s important to have a boat and crew with the necessary equipment that will get the job done under all circumstances.
Lately I’ve been receiving phone calls from people coming to Marina Vallarta looking for a charter company that they can feel comfortable with, then going to their hotel to ask the concierge who to trust. I get a lot of charter business because of this so I understand these statements with all the “dogs” nipping at your heels. If you’re having these sorts of problems contact us at Master Baiter’s Sportfishing in Marina Vallarta ( more info at bottom of page ) and we’ll fix you up with the right boat, crew and price! No group is exactly the same and instead of having a “boat” thrown at you, why not look at the available options we have for you, then you can make an informed decision as to what would be best for you. Not the best option for me…..
Carlos is still out there with his bucket of paint covering up the ignorant markings on our public building, called Graffitti! This week we had a paint party where we attacked a block at a time. Several locals and not just white people joining the efforts. Marla and Pedro Hernandez along with their two children Adrian 12 and Andrea 14 came along to help. With the days warming up, it makes it more impressive that people will brave the heat of the day. So thanks to all of those who came out and helped Carlos and the cause. Contact us at Master Baiter’s and sign up for the next paint party and who knows, maybe even make some new friends.
Until next week, don’t forget to kiss your fish!
Summer is Coming, R U ready?
You can really tell how the seasons are changing around Marina Vallarta. The mornings are cool, but not cold like last month. Days are warming up gradually where even the locals are noticing how much warmer it is (but not to me). The sun is a little more intense as we come under an Equator Sun. The cool breezes will turn to evening showers bringing in the summer humidity.
Like the weather, the fishing is changing as well, Yellowfin in the range of 50 lbs can be found at El Banco. But be prepared to do some work, with the abundance of bait in the water, it’s like having a payment free credit card, why would you ever stop? But this is normal for this time of the year and it’s kinda nice to see a season shape up on the normal side. So if the fishing goes bad, I’m blaming global warming, you’ve been warned!
The good news is there’s bait all over at our world class fishing grounds! The bad news is there’s sooo much of it! Krill squids are all around the Marrietta Islands where Pargo or Snapper are eating for all their worth. Its like free hamburgers at Mc Donald’s, you’ll eat them just because they’re there!! This is a good time to reach into your bag of tricks and try something new Bubba. Those coming in with these red beauties (Snapper) are being boated in the 35 lb range. The whole area is alive with snapper right now making shorter duration trips worth while and will fill your fish box.
Off Punta Mita, Sailfish have been boated the last couple of days, but they’re a moving target at best, but they like larger baits so you’ve got a chance. Lots of Snappers, Skip Jack Tuna, Rooster fish, Jack Crevells, Torros and the list goes on. This has been a very consistent area the last few years and always worth a try.
Trolling from Corbetena to El Banco as a Sea Gull flies, this is fertile grounds and will break wide open anytime now. But if you’re at Corbetena you’ll find those 50 lb Yellowfin there as well. If you’re interested in Wahoo, thiss a reliable spot to visit and they’ve been coming in lately. If you don’t see any Yellowfin or Wahoo, shoot for the Cubera Snapper in the shallows, they’ll run up to 75 lbs and will make you think you hooked into a Sailfish. Amber Jacks are here as well, so keep an open mind Anglers.
As the water temperatures continue to inch their way up, we’ll see more billfish and larger Yellowfin moving in. Plentiful bait in the water is a condition we look for at this time of year, it brings more fish into the area. And with all the Striped Marlin I’ve been hearing about in Cabo, maybe we can draw some of them this direction.
Kim and Ken Shoup from Idaho along with Petra Allen donated to the Graffitti project Carlos heads. Carlos has been hitting areas off the beaten path lately where businesses are looking for assistance. As always we’re looking for citizens to become involved by donating time or money when possible. Graffitti is a funny thing; you never notice it’s not there, now do you?
Please look for my new weekly articles with Christina Calligan supporting the Puerto Vallarta Fire Dept. in the completion of the fire station. It’s a life or death decision for all of us if we don’t Equip these brave fire fighters with the most basic of basics when it comes to saving life and property. So check it out this week and every week.
Until next week, don’t forget to kiss your fish!
At Master Baiters Sportfishing and Tackle, as one of the oldest Fishing Charter companies in Puerto Vallarta, we pride ourselfselves on being Number 1 in mainland Mexico.
We have the best equipped and fastest boats in Puerto Vallarta. Our goal is to provide you the fishing experience of a lifetime at a price that won’t be beat! Last year we boated more Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna over 300 pounds than we could keep track of. We also have a wide selection of unique high quality Hats, T-Shirts, souvenirs and novelty items. Surprise your friends and family back home with something truly unique.
We’ve been seen on Jay Leno, Conan, David Letterman and recently on CNN, FOX News and Fortune Mag. (Dec. 24th issue), Thank you Southwest Airlines!
We’re also recommended in the 2007 and now 2008 Fodor’s Travel Guide for Puerto Vallarta, if you’re a travel agent this is impressive since you can’t buy advertisement with them. Remember, Master Baiter’s stores are operated independently and separately, be sure you’re talking with the correct shop or person in correspondences via email or over the phone. OR Come to our Marina Vallarta store located at the Light House. Facing the water, we’re located between docks F and G or Email me at stanray55@yahoo.com. Come in and say hello to Stan, Carlos, or Chema! If you’d like to become my friend on MySpace, send me an invitation to: stanray55@yahoo.com Master Baiter’s Shop Number from USA / Canada: 011 52 322 209 11 28 or 24 Hrs at: 011 52 1 322 779 75 71
El Banco is Still Smokin’
This week the water temperatures have been all over the place. Corbetena was loaded Yellowfin Football Tuna. Water temps in the last few days has fluctuated greatly so even Terafin satellite shots are deceptive. Hot spots have been changing by miles and miles from previous days. But this isn’t bad news amigo! Summer is coming and this is just a part of the normal transition from seasons
The hot spot, literally, was North of El Banco by about ten miles to thirty miles north from there. Yellowfin Football Tuna, Mahi Mahi Bulls in the 45 to 60 inch range. Jack Cravells, Sails are out there but it’s still difficult to get their attention. Not hard to understand when you see how much live bait is out there, mostly Sardinas and other same sized bait fish.
Sayulita has been warm right up to the shore areas and this has brought in really large Rooster fish. For the guy who wants to spend six to eight hours fishing, yet still want a fight, this area is worth a trip. Captain Hector’ fish box this week on one particular day looked like an aquarium full of several species of fish for that evening Blue Plate Special.
Presently there are a host of different fish available to the vacationing Angler so there’s no reason to not hit the bay for some tired arms and happy faces!
The Master Baiter’s Graffetti project is moving ahead nicely. And once again we’re waiting for the 55 gallons of paint, but we know it’s coming, so no worries. With Spring break finished now we’re seeing a slow down in donations and support, but Carlos and Master Baiters will continue the good work of eradicating Graffetti in PV with the continued support of the good people of PV.
That’s if for this week, Until next time, don’t forget to kiss your fish!
