This past week we’ve seen a massive drop in water temperatures and it’s taking its toll. With massive bait in the bay and surrounding areas, winter fishing is finally here. Now this may sound like a bad thing, but it’s not. We go through this every year, true we won’t be boating Dorado, but the Grouper, Snapper, and Sea Bass are back and it’s great affordable action. You’ll see species now you don’t see in the summer like the ones I just mentioned. So don’t get down or depressed, the fishing is great and we’re going to tell you why!

 

Every week I go down this list of locations and what’s happening. But at this time of the year talking in depth about locations 35 miles out to Corbetena is not what most people in Puerto Vallarta want to know about. Most I speak with are novice fisherman, looking to me to tell them what “they” want to do. Well I’m not a mind reader, but I do know this, if you’re not catching fish, you’re not having fun. Since having fun is what it’s all about, let’s focus on the fun.

 

Brief summary: Corbetena has turned cold, water temps are in the 68 degree range and as cold as I can remember them ever being. As a result we’re seeing Dorado have left for warmer waters. Sailfish and Striped Marlin are still in the area but they’re thin and spread out. The clean green water has turned up and we all know this is clear and cold. For now it’s just best to set your frustration limiter a little lower and focus on closer in fishing. Keep an eye open for Wahoo to 90 lbs! El Morro is seeing some nice Pompano (near El Morro) to 25 lbs, Sierra Mackerels, Amber Jacks at 40 lbs for the jiggers and Cubera Snappers as well. Great option for an eight hour trip. Sails and Stripers are in the mix, but very thin and very spread out. Just the other day we started seeing Wahoo off the back side towards Corbetena! If you’re in the Punta Mita area take a heading of 310 head out about twelve miles and you’ll find Sailfish, Striped Marlin are taking small baits, dead baits and very small lures like Hoochies. 

 

Now the fun fishing is in the bay. We all know that Jack Crevalls, Bonito and Sierra Mackerels are our basic “Bread and Butter” species. Most people come in the shop looking for the standard players but know nothing about in-shore fishing. In PV the fishing is never bad, it just changes. Now these options for the most part are half to ¾ days. Right now is the cold water species have arrived. Grouper, Snapper and most importantly Sea Bass at the Ameca River mouth a few miles north of Marina Vallarta. We only have these species for a short six week period before the water warms up again. If you’re down near the south end where the rocks line the shoreline at Los Arcos towards Cabo Corrientes, this is a fish gold mine. You’ll recognize smaller snapper but there are many different species there waiting for your baits. The “Mouth” to Marina Vallarta at the buoy has been just full of Sierra Mackerels at sunrise! This condition only last for a few hours so you need to be there as the sun is coming up. If you do this, you can expect many Sierra Mackerels before 07:15. They’re hitting “Hoochie” baits that mimic Krill Squids. Once we pass the 08:00 time frame it will abruptly end. Then what? Go for Jack Crevalls to 45 lbs, Sierra Mackerels in the bay, Snappers, Snook, Grouper, Bonito and the list goes on. The point being you don’t have to go out and spend a ton of “vacation” money to have fun and this is why! Surf fishing is also another option especially now! The bite is at 08:00 to 12:00 for the morning bite, so plan accordingly. Water temperatures are at 68 and hopefully stable now. With so much natural bait in the water try running dead baits or Krill mimic baits of red or pink. 

 

We’re still doing the shared boats, Surf Pole rentals out of the Marina Shop. We also have some loss leader promotions you’ll find on my Facebook pages (Master Baiter’s Sportfishing & Tackle). Benjamin our Tour Expert can wrap this all up in one nice package so you don’t need to fret with some of these Bozos out there. 

 

Until next week, don’t forget to kiss your fish! 

 

Special Announcement: Well it’s happening again, nothing new, but there are so many people around Marina Vallarta wearing Master Baiter’s T-Shirts misleading people to think they’re Master Baiter’s I figured it’s time again to remind you that there are a whole city of imposters saying they’re with Master Baiter’s. So for the record, the only Master Baiter’s shop now is in Marina Vallarta on the Boardwalk / Malicon. We also have only a couple of “Old White Guys” running the company now. If you are approached by anyone, anywhere other than our location, you are dealing with an imposter! If you go in their local or if they don’t even have one, if you don’t see Master Baiter’s plainly visible in that location, they’re ripping you off and the police should be called. For our convenience a map of the Marina Vallarta Location is below… So, if it’s not an “Old White Guy” by the name of Stan or Benjamin, you don’t want to do business with them… Enough Said!