Puerto Vallarta Fishing Report - August 24 - 2009

Water Temperatures Spike as Gamefish Go Deep!

One thing is for sure, when you think you´ve got a handle on what´s happening in Puerto Vallarta Sportfishing, everything changes! As I will me mentioning over and over again, El Nino has raised it´s ugly head which means we all have to think a little differently when it comes to fishing!

This week as I mentioned earlier the water was so warm at our world famous fishing grounds that if you were running surface baits as in trolling, you would be hard pressed to entice a Yellowfin Tuna up from the depths. So if they don´t come to you, you have to go to them! Running at or below 100 feet right now is the trick, making down riggers a necessity. Surface baits are still working for many fish species, it just depends on where you are and what species you´re shooting for.

At El Banco, fifty miles out from Marina Vallarta, the high spots had Cubera Snapper, Large Mahi or Dorado as they´re called in this neck of the woods. Sailfish, Black and Blue Marlin and yes even Yellowfin Tuna. But you´ll have to be creative and have a real bag of tricks to go along with those down riggers. Artificial baits have been working well the last week or so. Remember Purple is a great color to use when running deep baits. Purple is the dominant color in the spectrum so for that reason alone, visibility, it couldn´t hurt. Using live bait, Goggle eyes or Skip Jack Tuna with purple skirts off the nose was working wonders… but keep this to yourself, we wouldn´t want everyone doing this and taking off with our trophies!

At Corbeteña, the most flexible fishing location in PV (in my opinion), you can boat Cubera Snapper in the structure areas, but really only in the structure areas off the rock. I see guys all the time throw ¨wounded¨ baits over the side just to come up empty handed. When just a hundred yards over where there is volcanic structure, you could be hitting these fish as fast as you could reel them in. This is an instance where those electronics you paid so much for can come in handy. But you have to know how to use them first, so watch the DVD provided and put that knowledge to work! No structure, no Snappers! Now Corbeteña or the Rock as many call it has deep troughs or canyons as well. Perfect for Yellowfin Tuna to shoot up from attacking bait balls that love to linger around the island. With all species of Marlin in the area, Sailfish, Amberjacks, Rainbow runners, you have some serious opportunities on any given day to boat something you can brag about for years.
The islands of El Morro and the Marietta Islands are still a machine when it comes to Rooster fish, Skip Jack Tuna, Bonita, Needle fish, Sailfish and the list goes on. You can expect the mid day hours to afternoon to be a high producer time. But it never hurts to be out there early! With the price of Diesel going up daily, you can take your time and save a few of your precious fuel dollars this way. 8hr days here will be well worth the money. Now remember, these islands are protected, as they should be, so keep your distance and you won´t have any problems with the navy who now enforce the law on this.

North of Punta Mita, you´ll find a lot of action near and around the buoys. Mahi in the 35 lb range have been common place. Rooster fish are closer to shore around the reefs and fair sized from 25 to 50 lbs if you get lucky! If you head farther north near San Pancho, San Francisco in English, you could get Black Marlin Strikes as well as Sailfish. Last week there were so many Sailfish lounging on the surface that with their bills sticking up from the ocean surface, it looked like a Cactus Garden. Sometimes you can cast bait and they´ll take it. Other times, they´ll ignore it, I guess if we could figure out how these fish think, we´d be as nuts as they are!

In the bay there is always the trash line. Now the trash line is an area where the dirty water that washes down from the mountains that surround Puerto Vallarta, pushes into the bay. At the leading edge of this dirty water is a line of organic debris (seeds, leaves, and crap in general) that the Rooster fish and Mahi love to eat. Small bait fish love it also, which in turn draws in bigger fish.  It´s like a fish home delivery pizza, it´s food that comes to you and its GooooD! Casting a three inch diamond jig with a small feather on the hook will drive these fish out of their minds. So a solid day of fishing in the bay is possible. If the rains aren´t happening, like this year for the most part, hang around the south end of the bay up to Cabo Corrientes. You´ll always find fish in these areas, but probably on the smaller size side as you´d expect. Snapper, Roballo, Bonito, Needle fish are just a few that come to mind. Casting, trolling or bottom fishing, they all work if you keep an open mind and think outside of the box.

With the unpredictable conditions that we now have anything is possible in the near future. Large Yellowfin, Black Marlin, you name it, they´re out there, but they´re not ¨easy amigo. Make sure you´ve got a full bag of tricks with you where you have plenty of color on your lures. Down riggers, Kites, and Squid for chum will make or break your day!
This week the tides were on the extreme side so remember this when heading out. Extreme conditions like super high or low tides, Full moon or New moon alike can all you pulling your hair out, so don´t be discouraged, get determined!

For the local boys, the Navy has teamed up with the Port Authority and they are finally checking things like Matriculas (operating licenses), Insurance papers and of course safety equipment when leaving the harbor. For years now the boats who have been taking advantage of corrupt officials will finally be playing on the same field as the rest of us. This will force the majority of the fish charter boats to comply will make competition on product quality and price instead of undercutting reputable companies by hundreds of dollars. With the cut throat conditions on fishing charters these days, be sure your boat has all its papers before you drop a deposit down on some joker cruising the boardwalks. If they have a book in their hand, run. If they don´t have an office or storefront, run. Keep your wits about you and you´ll have a great time on the water!

That´s about all for this week, until next time don´t forget to kiss your fish!
 

That’s about it for now, until next week, don’t forget to kiss your fish!

We Still Guarantee Your Catch or 30% of your money back.  We are the only company I KNOW OF that does this anywhere! Only on specific company boats (company boats only in Marina Vallarta Store on the boardwalk). If you ask, we are also giving free hour fishing with every charter (except 12 hr charters) and a free T-shirt to who ever catches the biggest fish! That’s about a $125.00 usd value. Take advantage of this insider offer for reading my articles.

Master Baiter´s now has a host of sites and features you can check out or become involved in. OK, if you´re interested in my Biweekly news letter contact me at: CatchFish@MasterBaiters.com.mx   Or My Public www.Flick.com  Photo gallery is here under the name: MasterBaiters.com.mx Puerto Vallarta!  Facebook:  MasterBaiter Stan …. My, Puerto Vallarta Sport Fishing Blog: www.masterbaiters.wordpress.com  We have World Famous T-shirts, Hats and other souvenirs items to choose from. We’re recommended in Fodor’s Travel guide for PV. Fishing and Tours Phone from Canada / USA: 011 52 322 209 11 28.. In P.V.: (322) 209 11 28

Warning: There is a pirate Master Baiter’s site that is in the process of being closed down by the Mexican authorities both on the internet and in a store in town. But the legal system is slow in Mexico, so if you visit any cloned site that claims to be Master Baiter´s offering guaranteed prices, at sites OTHER than www.MasterBaiters.com.mx, you are NOT dealing with me (Stan Gabruk) directly, . They even say they´re me on the phone, so don´t be fooled by imposters!

Master Baiters Sportfishing and Tackle ™ is a registered trade mark and is protected under Mexican and international law.  Unlawful use of this trade mark will result in prosecution to the full extent of the law in the applicable country
Fishing Report for Aug. 22, 2009 for Master Baiter’s Sportfishing and Tackle
Written by: Stan Gabruk.

Puerto Vallarta Fishing Report - August 16 - 2009

 High Season Sportfishing in Puerto Vallarta, The Bite is On!

We´ve finally made it to High Season for Sportfishing in Puerto Vallarta. Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi and Sailfish are now dominating the fishing grounds!

What a difference a week can make, there are some big fish out there right now, but you better be equipped to the ¨Gills¨ and ready to put some work in! If you are really in the game, the payoff is a Monster Yellowfin Tuna of 200 lbs or more. Many are smaller, but the Monsters are out there and the fishing grounds are empty! You may never, ever, have the opportunity to find big fish and empty fishing grounds in a world class location like Puerto Vallarta again in your life time!

First, forget El Banco, don´t waste your time or fuel money on this normally productive location. Yes there are fish here, there always are fish in this famous spot, especially at the high spots. But for the guy looking to get as much bang for his fuel buck, this is not the place to be as of the time this article was written. Now things can change in a heartbeat, and they probably will, but at this moment other spots are firing a little more consistently….

One such spot is Corbeteña. The rock is in my opinion, the most flexible and consistent fishing location Puerto Vallarta has to offer! On any given day you have Sailfish, Cubera Snapper (60 lbs), Yellowfin Tuna, Marlin, Wahoo, Mahi, Rainbow Runners, Amber Jacks and the list goes on and on. For the 3rd Annual Marlin and Tuna Tournament this past week all the winners came back from this spot after the leading Tuna came in on the first day direct from Corbeteña. Pictured is a 248.5 lb. Yellowfin Monster that ultimately got the $20,000.00 usd Prize Money and was boated by Mario Davilo from Guadalajara. Not to mention the daily jackpot that was packed on top of that. This fish was caught on the first day and stayed in the lead. Capt. Hector was the winning Captain on Pecositas II which is no surprise to those who know the producing captains in Marina Vallarta. 

But this wasn´t the only winning fish from Corbeteña, The first and third place Marlin (Animal House) was also caught here as was the winning Dorado! After the first day at El Banco, everyone and I mean everyone, headed to The Rock and for the first time in weeks, there were boats out there competing for position.

Capt. Steve on Sirena once again placed first in the Catch and Release Sailfish category on the ridges between Corbeteña and El Banco. If you remember last weeks article, I mentioned how this area was largely ignored and almost never given the respect it is due. So guys like Capt. Steve use their Global Positioning Electronics to mark the spots they like and BANG, RESULTS! For some reason people think the only place to catch fish is either Corbeteña or El Banco and when you put yourself in a box like that, you get left behind! So remember to keep an open mind, try new spots and for goodness sake use your electronic and mark these ridges, troughs and reefs! Of course scouting trips for serious contenders are always part of the game. As PV becomes a bigger and bigger player in the Marlin and Yellowfin Tournament Circuit, those who put in the extra effort will show the results. Those who don´t, will be left wanting!

Of course there are other locations that are quite active in our world famous fishing grounds worth mentioning. El Morro and the Marietta Islands this week were very consistent with smaller Mahi, Rooster fish, Needle fish, Bonito and others for the person with short time and a budget. Lots of options between here and Punta Mita where Sails, Mahi and Roosters are hard hitting and a real challenge on light tackle!

For those looking for a deep water day but short on vacation funds, Master Baiter´s® once again is offering our famous fishing parties. For $250.00 usd per person we´ll put you on fish with other people. Now which boat this will be on will be determined by how many people are interested in heading out. I now have several boats to choose from so being told there weren’t enough people to load the boat are words your ears will never hear. These boats are first class, with tournament winning captains, world class all the way. With the tight economy we´re just happy to be able to offer a deep water option for a reasonable price! You´ll be heading out most likely to Corbeteña and we´re the only charter company who has the bones to offer this trip. A shared boat that heads out to one spot, with limited equipment and very little concern for service (8 hrs) will run you close to $200.00 usd (after the tack on fees of $30.00 usd for a fishing license they already have for the entire boat). So this is a better option than the only one that existed up until now! We can schedule this option as far out as you like and is always very popular with people looking to save some money and still get Billfish or Tuna! Remember, the guarantee we offer is not valid on this trip, but you will get a chance at a World Record Possibility. If interested go to my web site at www.MasterBaiters.com.mx and fire me an email! This is news so it isn´t reflected on the web site just yet, stay tuned, if it´s a success it will go up!

I now have a Master Baiters Facebook page where I post my ¨Fish Pic of the Day¨ and it´s very popular. You can fire me an email and I´ll send you an invitation. Or just look me up at MasterBaiters Stan (catchfish@masterbaiters.com.mx). You´ll be glad you did, it´s interesting and it´s fun! I´ve been doing the Twitter thing as well (MasterBaiters) if you´d like to follow, or if you know of any interesting fishing tweets, let me know! I am also writing a blog (www.MasterBaiters.wordpress.com ) about three times a week to post news-ish type information as well as the daily activities of Marina Vallarta when it comes to fishing and other interesting information my fish head friends like hearing about. I do my best to keep it interesting. The internet television program and city promotions will be just two subjects we focus on…. So come join us in the fun and who knows, you just may like what you see!
 

That’s about it for now, until next week, don’t forget to kiss your fish!

We Still Guarantee Your Catch or 30% of your money back.  We are the only company I KNOW OF that does this anywhere! Only on specific company boats (company boats only in Marina Vallarta Store on the boardwalk). If you ask, we are also giving free hour fishing with every charter (except 12 hr charters) and a free T-shirt to who ever catches the biggest fish! That’s about a $125.00 usd value. Take advantage of this insider offer for reading my articles.

Master Baiter´s now has a host of sites and features you can check out or become involved in. OK, if you´re interested in my Biweekly news letter contact me at: CatchFish@MasterBaiters.com.mx   Or My Public www.Flick.com  Photo gallery is here under the name: MasterBaiters.com.mx Puerto Vallarta!  Facebook:  MasterBaiter Stan …. My, Puerto Vallarta Sport Fishing Blog: www.masterbaiters.wordpress.com  We have World Famous T-shirts, Hats and other souvenirs items to choose from. We’re recommended in Fodor’s Travel guide for PV. Fishing and Tours Phone from Canada / USA: 011 52 322 209 11 28.. In P.V.: (322) 209 11 28

Warning: There is a pirate Master Baiter’s site that is in the process of being closed down by the Mexican authorities both on the internet and in a store in town. But the legal system is slow in Mexico, so if you visit any cloned site that claims to be Master Baiter´s offering guaranteed prices, at sites OTHER than www.MasterBaiters.com.mx, you are NOT dealing with me (Stan Gabruk) directly, . They even say they´re me on the phone, so don´t be fooled by imposters!

Master Baiters Sportfishing and Tackle ™ is a registered trade mark and is protected under Mexican and international law.  Unlawful use of this trade mark will result in prosecution to the full extent of the law in the applicable country

Puerto Vallarta Fishing Report - August 10 - 2009

This year we´re seeing the season shape up much better than last year. The fishing grounds are alive with action, blue water and smooth seas. Plenty of carnada or bait in English and if that´s not enough, you can have the high spots at El Banco to yourself! These are the kind of conditions that fisherman all over the world hope to experience on their next trip. Puerto Vallarta is famous for its Big Game fishing, but you would be surprised by the lack of takers. I guess with the Economy in the states and the other issues CNN loves to distort, those with the disposable income have dropped off considerably. We all understand market conditions, especially here in PV, but the fish, they don´t care at all. In fact, not having charter boats out there means they´ll hang near the surface instead of being chased down by too many boats. So conditions are really about as good as they can get when it comes to Sportfishing in Puerto Vallarta.

One great example of this is Mamba Negra, Master Baiter´s 36 ft. Luhrs convertible, came back with Felipe Bravo, Master Baiter´s partner, came in with some sizeable Yellowfin at El Banco and Corbeteña. That´s him in the photo. Running between El Banco and Corbeteña Capt. Carlos and first Mate Juan put Felipe on fish and the rest of the day was non-stop action. Yellowfin Tuna running in the 60 to 150 lb range were abundant around the high spots with plenty of Chorras in the water! Sailfish and large Dorado are here in the area as well. Now that we´re out of the full moon, we should be moving in an even better time frame for Yellowfin. Hopefully if all goes as normal, the monsters or Yellowfin over 200 lbs will be at all the favorite spots!

Corbeteña this week was its normal and consistent self with Pargo or Cubera Snappers in English, Sails, Tuna ranging from good sized to large in the 120 lb range. Of course there are always Marlin in the area and the water has been perfect. Blue and 86 degrees makes for a perfect combination and should continue into Mid January now.

You know, writing this report this week is like stating the same facts over and over again, but this is consistency and we should all be glad we have that. Take Punta Mita and The area around the Marietta Islands / El Morro. This area is boring to write about. It´s almost automatic in these areas at this time of the year. You can always rely on Sailfish, Mahi Mahi, Roosters if there´s bait in the water, Snapper, Needle fish, Jacks, Bonito, Skip Jack Tuna and the list is endless. Just trolling a goggle eye in calm water will surprise you with freight train hits from a determined Dorado. Running in the 25 to 40 lb. range can truly make your day and you don´t have to be on a boat for the whole day. 8 hrs in this area is perfect for vacationing anglers and locals alike. Unless you´re looking for really big Marlin or Yellowfin, this area can give you just about everything else when it comes to game fish!

With Rainy season not being so rainy, the Trash line fishing has not been in the picture. With the little rain the mountains have been seeing, this usually reliable, yet moving target has not been producing this year like it normally does. This being an El Nino year again, I suspect this is the reason for the dry weather. But things can change in a heartbeat and the local fishermen know how to boat fish even without a trash line. So no worries just get out there!

Don´t forget we have the 3rd Annual Marlin and Tuna Tournament in Riviera Nayarit coming up Aug. 13, 14 and 15th. For more information check out their web site at: www.rivieranayaritfishingtournament.com  for all the details. If you´re interested in a tournament ready boat for this tournament or any of the tournaments coming up in the area you can contact me and we´ll fix you up. Contact info at the bottom of the page….

One interesting thing that came up this week was an offer I received to do an internet program on the local fishing to help build tourism to Puerto Vallarta, but more importantly building business for the Marina Vallarta. It´s amazing, people have been coming to PV for years and years, but there is no promotion of Marina Vallarta in any way so most people think Marina Vallarta is the Cruise Ship Marina. People who have stayed in the Marina in the local hotels had no clue that just a few hundred feet out of their hotel room there was a huge area stuffed with Restaurants, shopping, sports bars, and of course fishing companies like mine. Did you know that Marina Vallarta is considered one of the best private Marinas in the whole world! It´s the only protected Marina from San Diego to Panama. Just tell the taxi driver you want to go to the light house in Marina Vallarta or El Faro in Spanish and see what you may have been missing!

I´ve been doing the Twitter thing (MasterBaiters) if you´d like to follow, or if you know of any interesting fishing tweets, let me know! I am also writing a blog (www.MasterBaiters.wordpress.com ) about three times a week to post news-ish type information as well as the fishing going on. I always post a fish pic of the day, so check it out. And I of course I have a Facebook site under the name Master Baiter Stan for those who want to be friends and follow us in what we do. The internet program and city promotions will be just two subjects we focus on…. So come join us in the fun and who knows, you just may like what you see!

That’s about it for now, until next week, don’t forget to kiss your fish!

We Still Guarantee Your Catch or 30% of your money back.  We are the only company I KNOW OF that does this anywhere! Only on specific company boats (company boats only in Marina Vallarta Store on the boardwalk). If you ask, we are also giving free hour fishing with every charter (except 12 hr charters) and a free T-shirt to who ever catches the biggest fish! That’s about a $125.00 usd value. Take advantage of this insider offer for reading my articles.

Master Baiter´s now has a host of sites and features you can check out or become involved in. OK, if you´re interested in my Biweekly news letter contact me at: CatchFish@MasterBaiters.com.mx   Or My Public www.Flick.com  Photo gallery is here: MasterBaiters.com.mx Puerto Vallarta!  Facebook:  MasterBaiter Stan …. My Post Cards from Paradise, Puerto Vallarta Sport Fishing Blog: www.masterbaiters.wordpress.com  We have World Famous T-shirts, Hats and other souvenirs items to choose from. We’re recommended in Fodor’s Travel guide for PV. Fishing and Tours Phone from Canada / USA: 011 52 322 209 11 28.. In P.V.: (322) 209 11 28

Warning: There is a pirate Master Baiter’s site that is in the process of being closed down by the Mexican authorities both on the internet and in a store in town. But the legal system is slow in Mexico, so if you visit any cloned site that claims to be Master Baiter´s offering guaranteed prices, at sites OTHER than www.MasterBaiters.com.mx, you are NOT dealing with me (Stan Gabruk) directly, . They even say they´re me on the phone, so don´t be fooled by imposters!

Master Baiters Sportfishing and Tackle ™ is a registered trade mark and is protected under Mexican and international law.  Unlawful use of this trade mark will result in prosecution to the full extent of the law in the applicable country

Fishing Report for Aug. 9, 2009 for Master Baiter’s Sportfishing and Tackle
Written by: Stan Gabruk.