Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - For late May we're seeing September like temperatures. As the heat comes on we know trophy sized game fish are soon coming. But even with the unseasonable changes it's still early for Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna of any size.

Sailfish have moved in, but for the most part it's been difficult to get them to take baits of any kind. There can be a lot of reasons for this, but the abundance of bait in and around the bay is a double edged blade. Overabundance of bait can be worse than no bait at times. In early season, as we are now, bait first shows up, the local fish eat their fill, and this condition will last until either more fish come into the area and feed, or the bait moves out. So it's nature's balancing act as we do our best to figure out the bite!

This week, we're looking at similar conditions as we have had for the last couple of weeks. As mentioned, Sailfish are the main players around the bay for the time being. Sailfish are showing up in larger numbers off the point of Punta Mita from five to ten miles.

There are Dorado off the Anclote Reef and the buoys near Sayulita. Buoys are your friend, amigo - if you can find one. Dorado, which have been mostly on the smaller side, will be running about 15 to 20 lbs. These are throw back sized fish and any self respecting sportsman will throw them back.

You may find some Snappers in smaller sizes of 10 to 15 lbs, perfect for the dinner table, fun on light tackle. Those heading to San Pancho will have no better luck than around the point of Punta Mita or the Marieta Islands.

Speaking of the Marieta Islands, Dorado are picking up, still smaller sized at 25 to 35 lbs, if lucky. Again, it's still early for abundant Dorado in close, don't get discouraged this will be changing shortly.

Skip Jack Tuna are running 35 lbs or so, Snappers are anywhere from 15 to 40 lbs, just depends on what you come across. Bonito always available, Jack Crevalls are dwindling in numbers as water temperatures continue to rise. Sailfish are in the area a few miles out from the islands, same situation, fickle where bait is concerned. Rooster fish at 30 to 60 lbs are still chasing Sardines, but they're in and out. Needle fish are picking up in numbers and they can fight, but strange fish. Tasty, but bony. Bonito, Pompano in the 25 to 35 lb range and of course any species can spring up...

Corbeteña and El Banco are still sporting Black and Blue Marlin running 350 to 500 lbs. Not many heading out to these deep water locations, lots of sightings, few hook-ups. Dorado are here as well and running a little larger in the 35 to 50 lb range. With blue water, the conditions are great, water temps still hovering in the 81 degree range. Cubera Snappers are possible around 45 lbs, Amber Jacks, Rainbow Runners around 40 lbs, and the list goes on.

Fishing season at the Tres Maria Islands is coming to a close. Rising water temperatures means Tuna will be showing up at Corbeteña and El Banco (the deep water locations) soon. Tres Maria Islands are best visited in winter months when the larger breeders gorge themselves on available bait fish hugging the rocks & fishery/game reserve structure.

To learn a little more about the Tres Maria Islands I suggest visiting grupocleofas.org, which has a nice description of the "fish bowl" environment, which makes this area pristine in many ways. Now, if you don't keep out of the restricted access area, you may find yourself getting a visit from the navy or the police responsible for security for the prison part of the islands. This is serious stuff. Need I say more?

Inside the Bay of Banderas we're still seeing Skip Jack Tuna around the southern end of the bay near Yelapa; Needle fish, which have a bill, are 25 lbs and up. Jack Crevalls are filtering out of the area, but still schooling. Sierra Mackerels are soon to become history as well. All and all it's still a transition time, when the winter fish are slow to leave and the summer species are just starting to move in. As a whole the fishing is better than this article would have you believe, but it will not meet any peak expectations if targeting Yellowfin Tuna of any size as yet.

If you're planning on heading out, the morning bite is the strong bite, be at your fishing area by about 8:30 am and you have a shot at the morning bite and a mid afternoon bite around 3:00 pm. Fluorescent colored lures, (bright pink, yellow, green) are grabbing attention even if they don't bite. The secret with lures and baits are that if there is no strike or interest after twenty minutes of running those baits, it's time to change baits.

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