Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Well here we are once again, the end of High Season for tourism and the beginning of High Season for Fishing. As the seasonal visitors head back north it's the biggest signal the seasons are changing. Soon the fishing fanatics looking for Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado, Tuna, etc. will descend on PV.

We are already seeing signs of Black and Blue Marlin at El Banco. Water temperatures are inching up slightly, bait is more abundant (if that's possible), the water is clear green, and breeding season is all but finished, finally! Yes, we're on track for a wonderful fishing season - and it all starts NOW!

Like last week, water temperatures are hovering at 80 degrees. Water conditions are pretty much the same, clear green water with plenty of visibility. Bait balls of Sardines are still massive and in close proximity. This, of course, brings in Rooster fish, which was obvious at the Marieta Islands and Sayulita these last few days. Sailfish are around and picking up in numbers, but they weren't taking baits, this will change. Skip Jack Tuna in the 35 lb range are everywhere and are perfect sized for your Tuna Tubes. Jack Crevalls are still present, but they're thinning out as are Sierra Mackerels. Snappers are still in the area, smaller though, about 15 to 25 lbs. Pompano, Amber jacks to 40 lbs, and the list goes on...

San Pancho still has Sailfish and Dorado for the guy interested in a ten to twelve hour day. This past week we had a couple of boats head this direction, Sailfish were not taking baits and the Dorado were smaller sized. It's still early for Dorado, so remember to throw the females back and anything under twenty pounds should be released, amigos! If you can find a buoy, you will hit a mother load of Dorado!

At El Banco and Corbeteña the big surprise this week has been Blue Marlin sighting, in addition to Black Marlin, sizeable Sailfish, and of course smaller Dorado (largest being about 35 lbs). No sighting of Yellowfin Tuna yet, unless you're looking for Skip Jack Tuna. For now I'd wait a bit to see if this area picks up.

Inside the bay you'll still find Jack Crevalls, Bonito, Sierra Mackerels, smaller Snappers and a variety of species around the structure and rocks. Heavy rains in Guadalajara means local rivers are flowing heavily which of course means the Robalo are at the river mouths. No Trash line as yet, but for the bay fisherman you'll find these tasty white meat fish hanging in the area where the fresh (Agua Dulce) water mixes with the salt water. Robalo can run up to 40 lbs, keep this fact in the back of your mind for future reference.

For this time of the year, as seasons transition, everything is right on time! For now the bite is happening in the mid-morning amigos. I always suggest running one lure and, if you are, you want to use flashy colors, orange, pink, yellow. With the clear green water these colors seem to stand out. Water temps will continue to increase as the intense equator sun lingers, especially around shallow areas. As a result, we'll begin to see Yellowfin Tuna arriving shortly at El Banco and Corbeteña.

Friendly warning: To those who plan on taking a trip to the Tres Maria Islands searching for off season Monster Yellowfin Tuna, they're out there for sure. Running over 200 lbs you'll get a bucket list fish for sure, but the fantasy comes with some stress. The local authorities are now threatening local fisherman with boat confiscation, equipment confiscation, fines, and vacations on the island with the locals in the general prison population. Stories are abundant around Marina Vallarta with "close calls" and near misses. If you are inside the buffer zone and you're boating YF Tuna, you're a poacher, period! Enough said...

Until next time, don’t forget to kiss your fish - and remember, at Master Baiter's Sportfishing & Tackle "We Won't Jerk You Around!"