Puerto Vallarta Fishing Report Aug 16, 2018

It’s Fish City at El Banco, Marlin, Sails, Dorado!

Written by: Stan Gabruk owner of Master Baiter’s Sportfishing & Tackle

Every year about this time we see Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Dorado, Sailfish and more move in increasing daily in numbers. For the week we’ve seen some welcome changes as El Banco Explodes with many different world-class species. For those looking to catch a world-class trophy “once in a lifetime Bucket list” fish, well now would be a good time to do that. With near perfect conditions, it’s time to raid the “piggy bank”!

To start off El Banco, aka The Bank has come to life. What was being ignored, one of the best fishing grounds in the world is now the center of attention. With Black Marlin in the 600 lb range and possibly larger, Blue Marlin at 350 lbs, Freak Striped Marlin to 250 lbs, Sailfish, Dorado 35 to 45 lb range around the Kelp that came in with the currents, fishing is wonderful. Magnifico had a double hookup with a Striped Marlin / Sailfish at the same time! Water tempers are down from an uncomfortable 91 degrees to a perfect 86 degrees with high visibility blue water. Bait is readily available and frankly, it’s firing on all cylinders. Right now you’ve got the best chances to boat a trophy billfish since last year. At a 70% success rate, I’d say it well worth a trip to the high spots. There is a lot of Kelp or seaweed floating in with currents that which is naturally Dorado heaven. Corbetenas this week, by contrast, is slow at best. But this is a temporary thing, stay tuned.

The area between El Morro and Punta Mita is a little lean for some reason. Off the point of Punta Mita they’ve seen Sailfish of good size. Lots of bait in the area of flying fish, Skippies, green runners and the list goes on. Dorado is naturally around any debris or trash line in this area. All and all maybe not the best bang for your fishing buck, but if it doesn’t work just come back into the bay and you’ll find some great action. Things could improve drastically by the time you read this article.

Once again the bay is “happening” with plenty of fish in a short day trip. Six hours in the bay will produce some great arm burning action with Dorado in the smaller sizes around the trash line to 15 lbs or so. They’re too small to keep in numbers, one or two for the dinner table only, please. Snook or Robalo are in the areas around the river mouths, they love the agua dulce or sweet water they call it here. Bonito to 35 lbs have been running the entire area and are great tasting as they’re in the tuna family. Bonito of course to 35 lbs, Sailfish around the La Cruz Marina and Los Arcos where there are massive amounts of bait just hanging around. There have even been smaller Yellowfin Tuna in the area around Yelapa to the south following the coastline. Lots of fishing possibilities in the bay, perfect for family days or just getting tons of action, you’ll have a fun day in the bay.

The bite has changed a bit so you make sure you’re leaving Marina Vallarta in the earlier hours, 7 a.m. is a good time to be leaving the Docks now. As mentioned earlier the water temps are more favorable now which means 86 degrees at Corbetena and El Banco, but in the bay, it can be 88 degrees. Live bait is king and it seems Skip Jack Tuna is your best bait for the moment. Lures like Iguanas and Petroleros are basic lures working well. Billfish hit the lures right now better than live bait, but keep this secret to yourself…

Until next week, Don’t forget to kiss Your Fish!

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