Puerto Vallarta Fishing Report - Sept 6, 2009

Yellowfin, Marlin and Sailfish everywhere, now if we could only get them to take the bait!

It has been another frustrating week when it comes to Sportfishing in Puerto Vallarta. Your favorite Big Game fishing species are out there and in fair numbers. But the old story is getting bait in front of them that they´ll pay attention to. Even with the warm water temperatures at El Banco and Corbeteña, there have seen fish on the surface feeding. Trolling, casting, you name it, when they´re on the surface you´d expect to be able to grab their attention, but that has not been the case. Now I´d love to be able to tell you why this is happening, but fact is, I have no clue. One thing for sure is these fish are eating something. The question is what?  We haven’t seen any Tuna Crabs, Squid or even Flying fish, so it could be Krill Shrimps or Squids. Checking fish stomachs are not giving us any clues, it looks like they´re eating chorra type fish and smaller live baits. So figuring this out is difficult at best amigos… stay tuned!

We have had some strange conditions all coming together and hopefully after the full moon phase moves on, we´ll see better fishing. Making bait in the mornings has been easy enough and you can boat Bonito and Skip Jacks all day. In fact those looking for these species in the bay will have a great time. Just remember to get your bait when you can. It may not be where you´re going and this could make all the difference in your day on the water. Even a zombied out bait fish is better than no bait fish amigos!

It´s hard to come up with a definitive report on what is happing when it comes to fishing in Puerto Vallarta due to the lack of boats going out. There is no local consensus where the fish are. Nobody going out means no news. Fishing these days ¨means you´re putting a stake in the ground and going with a decision¨ so to speak. Heading out to a fishing spot you think will be productive based on what you think will ¨happen¨ based on the present conditions ¨you know of¨. Of course you can always change your plans once you´re in the area you want to be in, but it´s nice to know what has been happening.

Corbeteña and El Banco have Sailfish, Mahi Mahi, Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna. If you can get their attention they´ve been all running fair sized. Marlin in the 350 lb and up range, Tuna anywhere from 60 to 150 lbs with the occasional 200 pounder. Sailfish have been decent in the 80 to 95 inch range. Dorado are all over the place size wise and at all the locations. It´s a matter of what you come across. Using a Kite will help your Yellowfin Chances and now that we´re entering a full moon phase, remember to get to the fishing grounds early, before sun-up or at sun-down. But the in between hours for Yellowfin will not be productive at all. With the extreme tides and other weird conditions, things should change in the next week. But for now, a shorter trip closer in to shore would be a better bang for your buck.

El Morro and the Marietta Islands have been fairly consistent with Sailfish, Mahi, Skip Jack Tuna, Bonito, Snappers, Needle, Jack Crevalls and more. These fish are hitting surface baits cast and trolled. But it seems the bite is more in the middle of the day with these fish and it might only last an hour. Keep your eyes peeled for diving birds, this is when you know you can boat some fish, but these windows are only open for a short while. It´s a right place at the right time situation right now. Smaller live baits like Goggle eyes or lures are working, but make sure you´ve got the right color combination. Ask around before you head out, the colors are changing daily. Pink tiger print would be a good color to try. And of course the Trash line will help improve your chances at boating game fish. Fishing is ¨Like a box of chocolates¨….. You take what you get!

Many boats have come in this week from the outer fishing grounds to in the bay or close to the bay spots tapping into the Rooster fish and Mahi in the Sayulita to Litibu areas of the bay. Diamond jigs and rapallas in the reef and structure areas are working nicely. Frankly several boats have come in from the deeper water locations to bank on the availability of fish closer in. Now if you paid for a ten hour trip, then this area would be a consolation area so clients can at least boat something. If that is the case, check the daily reports and if the fish being caught are closer in, then why spend the money for the deeper locations. Except the charter companies are looking to make money on you. It can be hard to get the truth from a guy who will tell you anything to get you on a boat. Everyone needs to feed the family right now…..

This past week we saw the Ujena Bikini Jam / Bisbees tournament for the second time in as many years. I have to say it was a disappointment at best. There were only two boats in the tournament. Sponsors were upset and even the events planned were shoddy at best. Now if you´re looking for girls or models in bikinis, there were no shortage of photographers in the area with plenty of models. But fishing and models in bikinis don´t really mix in my book. For four hundred dollars you could have had two models, a photographer and yourself in the tournament. Most married guys don´t want a sexy babe in a bikini on a boat with them for obvious reasons. So that part of the tournament was never even close to successful and actually I think it hurts the tournament entries when the wives find out about this ¨feature¨ of the tournament. I don´t think we´ll see a Ujena Tournament next year. It is even more likely that Bisbees will not have their name associated with this group again in the near future. So if you´re thinking of participating in this tournament next year, there are better choices out there, that actually pay prize money. I forgot to mention that the entry fee did not include winning any cash, just a trophy and pictures…..

We were hoping to have the ¨Hurricane bite¨ after Jemena passed by, but no luck. Cabo got hit with rain and fish! Yellowfin are enjoying the cooler water temperatures there this year and the swift current brings these warm water fish even further north. Soon we´ll be hearing of how they´re catching Sailfish off Seattle again. So anything is possible this year. If you´re in the Southern Calif. Area, you should expect to see the Albacore in around fifty miles and not the eighty to hundred miles out like normal, that is if you´re lucky! Keep an eye on Catalina, this area could be producing Marlin any day. Just my past experience speaking here and well worth thinking about if you live in the area.

Next week as the tide situation changes and the full moon phase transitions into a better time of the month, we should see an improvement in the conditions and number of fish being brought back in. But that’s looking into my Crystal Ball, which I dropped some time ago and is cracked. So my prediction may be a little flawed on the optimistic side. But the fish are out there and with work you can get hook-ups. Just be patient and be grateful for whatever you hook into. You will always be in fish, but in Puerto Vallarta Fishing grounds, we have a tendency to have ¨Monster¨ expectations. This of course can breed disappointment, so be realistic and you´ll have a great day on the water!

 
Because people are looking for deals, yet still want to hit the better fishing grounds, we at Master Baiter´s ® have started a Shared Boat Fishing Party for $250.00 usd per person. You´ll head out to Corbeteña with a well equipped boat and a ¨real¨ shot at boating that finned fantasy you came to Mexico for. You can contact me for more information at CatchFish@MasterBaiters.com.mx  You can also be my Facebook Friend at: MasterBaitersPV@gmail.com and see my Fish Pic of the day. I also have a blog that is linked so if you´re interested in the daily happenings around Marina Vallarta and the fishing scene, connect with me and you´ll be informed and armed when it comes time to go fishing! It’s real time information and those in the area of Marina Vallarta will find it useful. I also post weather conditions like Hurricanes etc.  I am doing everything you can do including Twitter (MasterBaiters) and I also have a new fishing program where I do a show called Vallarta Fishing Experience (http://www.banderasnews.com/sfproductions/vallarta-fishing-experience.htm). We promote the Puerto Vallarta Yacht and Fishing Charter Association (PVYAFCA) in an effort to direct people to boats of better quality. Let’s face it, I couldn’t take all the business available in PV, so I´ll do what I can to promote the reputable ones. This is a free association, so you can´t pay to get into this association. So check out these areas and give it your best shot. Like I´ve said earlier, things change faster than we like. With the signs of better tide conditions and more bait in the water, this should make things better in the next coming week. Especially at El Banco and Corbeteña!

Well, that’s about it for this week, until next time, 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 Sept. 6, 2009 for Master Baiter’s Sportfishing and Tackle
Written by: Stan Gabruk.