Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - As you have probably heard, we had a serious hurricane pass Puerto Vallarta. The Cabo Corrientes Mountains knocked the stuffing out of the storm as it was close to shore and the mountains are a natural barrier that protects Puerto Vallarta. So PV is fine. But Cabo, that's another story...

Fish fleeing the storms were pushed into the area, and as a result there are 200 lb Yellowfin Tuna at Corbeteña and at El Banco. To cut to the chase, every kind of fish you could possibly want to catch is in our world famous fishing grounds RIGHT NOW!

You locals have waited for it, and the season you deserve has finally arrived. Fishing here in Puerto Vallarta is Hot, smoking hot, and that could be an understatement. Abundant bait fish in the water, perfect blue water, perfect water temps, abandoned fishing grounds, I mean if you sat down and wrote what your perfect fishing day would be like, this would be it. Big Fish have returned to Puerto Vallarta, and it's about time, Yee-Ha!

Now before you fanatics rush and make airline reservations, I just want you to know the Yellowfin are not exactly thick. In fact they're kinda on the sparse side, but these are the first to move into the area and since this is a real time report this could and should just be the tip of the iceberg. Small or big Tuna, I'm not judging, I'm just happy.

The Marlin and the Sailfish are leveling out the fishing grounds species with very large Dorado in the 50 to 65 lb range just taking bait at-will. This is what we all wait for, this is how Puerto Vallarta got famous for fishing; this is how we built our reputation as world class fishing grounds. To be frank, the rest of the report is pretty much unnecessary, but I like to write and I have plenty to talk about anyway...

We've seen a string of hurricanes this year, which is frankly normal (we've seen 16 so far this year), and we've been waiting for this exact thing. Finally we're seeing Yellowfin Tuna at Corbeteña and El Banco. Abundant Chorras (Bonito) as bait circling the rock. Same goes for El Banco or The Bank in English. Name a fish, it's out here, Wahoo to 45 lbs, Marlin to 700 lbs, Dorado in the 50-65 lb. range, Sailfish in tournament winning sizes, and Yellowfin Tuna to 200 lbs RIGHT NOW!

What else can you say, pick a fish, go after it, no complaining, no whining, get you're A double S out there, amigo. This is the whole reason I put these reports together, so people like you know what is happening and when to take advantage of the fish being here in Vallarta. Take your pick, El Banco or Corbeteña, right now they're both on fire...

Fishing at the Marieta Islands is still slow, but we're finally seeing some snappers from 25 to 35 lbs, Dorado to 25 lbs (small but there), Bonito, Skip Jack Tuna, Jack Crevalls to 35 lbs... standard fish, but at least the Dorado and Snappers are back. No Rooster fish and Sailfish are in and out, nothing you could plan for. This area could improve drastically all of a sudden, so keep your ears open.

The point off Punta Mita is still a little slow as well. Dorado are small, but you can find them around some floating object like a stump, or clump or "trash" or buoy. Sailfish are out about ten to fifteen miles, as are Blue Marlin. All and all, the area is doing ok, but not spectacular. For me the Marieta Islands are a better location for an 8 hour day of fishing.

Inside the Bay, things are great with small Dorado around the Trash Line and for once, they're taking baits in the bay. So look for the diving birds, where surface trolling is working. This could also improve drastically in the next few days. Sailfish are being boated on a limited basis around the Cabo Corrientes light house and around La Cruz.

Jack Crevalls to 35 lbs, Bonito, Skip Jacks in the 35 lb range at Yelapa and a host of other fish that just spring up. Four to six hour fishing trips are worth the time and the money, great family fishing trips for younger kids. Not too long, not too expensive, and you'll catch fish for dinner, amigos. Don't forget to check the river mouths for Snook in varying sizes.

The Bite right now is still ALL DAY. No worries about getting out too early, before daybreak I mean. With the rains and the trash and stumps and even refrigerators, hitting some water obstacle that is barely exposed will ruin a prop, shaft or even puncture the hull... not to mention ruin your fishing day. Something to remember, when leaving in the morning. You can leave early, go very slow to make sure you miss the obstacles. Or you can go later (sun up), go faster (assuming you chartered a fast boat) and get to the desired fishing grounds at about the same time. Especially when the bite is all day like now, you have nothing to lose and a little sleep to gain. As mentioned earlier, the conditions are perfect so no need to beat that drum.

Once Again, I mentioned earlier that we've seen a real string of hurricanes this year. So far we're up to the letter "P" for Polo. Hurricane Odile was in the news recently and hit Cabo full force, Cat.4 which was reduced to a Cat.3 shortly after landfall. It was a direct hit, you couldn't be hit any harder by a hurricane if you tried.

Friends have shared with me how the eye of the hurricane went through down town Cabo (second hand account). The airport is devastated, but it's the working class that took it the hardest and these types don't insure because the insurance seldom pays what it is supposed to, and insurance cost money. There are several boats that came through undamaged per se, but the fishing industry is over for the season at the very least.

There are all kinds of websites taking donations for those in this ravaged area. I suggest the donation fund at the Bisbee's Tournament site. FYI, the Mexican Govt. is helping in the form of delayed taxes, financial support with reduced interest rates, but there is nothing like FEMA in Mexico. Please do what you can, it all helps.

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