Yellowfin Tuna at El Banco, Sailfish & Marlin Increase

                     Yellowfin Tuna at El Banco, Sailfish & Marlin Increase

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

We all know that predicting what will happen in the world or Sportfishing is almost impossible. Now we can tell you what happened yesterday and what we ¨think¨ will happen tomorrow, but in the end we´re just throwing out a best guess when targeting gamefish. The only thing that balances out fishing predictions is if it happened ¨there¨ yesterday, it could still be happening ¨there¨ today. Of course you´re always disappointed when you visit yesterdays spot and your targeted fantasy fish is nowhere to be found. What is exciting is when you catch a species that you didn´t expect and right now that´s Yellowfin Tuna. That´s right, I used the ¨YF¨word, but it´s far from automatic amigos, but the chance is there!
Anyone who knows fishing in PV knows that if you want big, world class fishing, you have to be at either Corbeteña or El Banco (or anywhere in between), both are our famous deep water, deep sea star fishing grounds. Especially at this time of the year when anything impossible can become possible as screaming reels announce ¨Fish On¨. As mentioned earlier El Banco has shown ¨some¨ signs of life in the form of Yellowfin tuna in the 100 to 150 lb range. So you have a chance, how much of a chance you may ask? Well if you`re in the area the chances improve. Black and Blue Marlin, mostly Blue Marlin are also around the area running anywhere from 350 lbs to over 800, just depends on your luck. And for the present Dorado in the 35 lb range are moving into the area as well. With Rainbow runners, Cubera Snappers and Sailfish, there isn´t many species you don´t have a shot at right now! Oh, if targeting Yellowfin, make sure you´re using a kite, keep that between us!
Corbeteña is about the same, Yellowfin Tuna have arrived and the numbers are picking up by the minute. Still the Sailfish, Marlin, Dorado and Snappers  should also catch your attention. Corbeteña is a little cheaper trip, a little closer and for my money, may be a better choice for the next ten minutes or so.  Decisions, Decesions!
If you´re around the Marietta Islands there is finally some signs of life with some, I said some Rooster fish in the area, tons of Bonito 20 to 45 lbs, Needle fish in the 40 lb range. Maybe a slight shot at Dorado. But Sailfish are close to El Morro and I see no reason why they´re not closer to the Marietta Islands, but there you are. Heading out towards Corbeteña trolling, Blue Marlin have been hanging out around the area, so being in the area is the first requirement amigo! Now if you´re in the area off the point off Punta Mita, you´re still boating Sailfish and Dorado, nothing new since it´s been like this all summer. If you´re looking at only 8 hrs, then these two places will get you some arm burning action.

Inside the bay is great with massive amounts of Bonito, Skip jack Tuna to 50 lbs around Yelapa still, Needle fish, Jack Crevalls are here as well and they´re primarily a winter fish. Sailfish are still being boated by the lucky few in the bay, to me this is unusual, but lately it´s been kinda normal.. go figure.
So you pretty much can´t lose when it comes to fishing for the time being. Water temps are slightly cooler, but not cold. Northern water temps around California are dropping quickly so we´re expecting to see Yellowfin Tuna numbers pick up for the late season, same for Dorado. With this being an El Nino year, our fish have been vacationing in Southern California so we´ll welcome them back with open arms and a gaff. Blue water and smooth seas have been the norm, but we´re always on the watch for late season Hurricanes. The full moon will be on us soon, so be aware and have some fun. One last thing, some days it seems that Dorado are only taking lures, so have some blue, silver and pink lures at the ready. Live bait is plentiful with bullet Bonito, Google Eyes, Flying fish and the list of course goes on. For the moment the bite is happening around 11:00 a.m. , so getting to the fishing grounds too early will not help  your situation. But again, the full moon is just a few days from now and the Yellowfin especially will be using the moon light to full advantage stuffing themselves with abundant bait.  Another piece of  useable ¨reel time¨ fishing information that can make a difference in your fishing safari amigo!

Newsletter Extra:  Many of you find I post these same articles in the local news papers and the busiest web pages in PV.  They post my articles a little late and that´s the reason I send these ¨Reel Time¨ fishing reports to the locals. This is information you will be glad you have if you´re heading fishing in the next couple of days…  Hurricane Vance is marching north and will be well outside of Puerto Vallarta, so don’t panic. But it will pass us and this could put some rough seas on us as well as some stormy weather. Now the mountains that surround PV protects us and we´re happy for that! But the track is looking like Cabo will be at the end of it´s track. There is a low pressure front coming down from the north which could push the system inward.  For now we´re seeing calm seas and blue water.  It may also be nothing, but then again, it´s something to keep an eye on if scheduled for a fishing charter in the next few days. Below I show some information as to it´s tracking and systems that are working.

Nov. 4th Update: Magnifico went to Corbeteña, it was smooth seas in the morning, but in the after noon the wind and rain picked up, got windy and the sea´s picked up in size and frequency. But now Hurrican Vance will make landfall before 10:00 a.m. Wednesday Morning, so the storm is on a fast track to the mainland! I have boats scheduled to head out tomorrow morning, Wednesday, keep your fingers crossed.

Whales:  Normally Whales don´t show up until December, but we´re already seeing Whales moving into the area.  Magnifico spotted two today, one with a baby already! This means we need to be watchful for whales just under the surface, fast boats can easily hit a Whale, I´ve done it, it´s not pretty!  Also remember if you´re chasing whales around the bay

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

Master Baiter´s has changed locations in Marina Vallarta between docks A and B on the boardwalk. Email your Questions to me at: CatchFish@MasterBaiters.com.mx  Web page:  www.MasterBaiters.com.mx , Local Phone at: (044) 322 779 75 71 or if roaming: 011 52 1 322 779 75 71 cell phone direct Facebook: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Master-Baiters-Sportfishing-Tackle/88817121325 The trade name Master Baiter’s ® Sportfishing and Tackle is protected under trade mark law and is the sole property of Stan Gabruk.

The trade name Master Baiter’s ® Sportfishing and Tackle is protected under trade mark law and is the sole property of Stan Gabruk.

 

Sportfishing Puerto Vallarta or all of Mexico, What you don’t know can hurt you No. 2 in the Series.

Sportfishing Puerto Vallarta or all of Mexico, What you don’t know can hurt you No. 2 in the Series.

Written By: Stan Gabruk, owner of Master Baiter´s Sportfishing & Tackle

Recently in the news there have been several accounts of Booze Cruise (etc.) tours in several places in Mexico, Hawaii, Jamaica and other popular tourist destinations. Stories of how people go out on chartered boats (of all types) have some sort of accident, the boat sinks with everyone on it and inevitably people get hurt or worse. The logical assumption is that the boats are insured with liability insurance just in case such a thing should happen. Only to discover that there is no insurance, the people who own the charter or tour company pulled the wool over the eyes of the local officials. Or worse they paid off the “guy”, who of course isn’t there any longer and can’t be found, blah blah blah….  That means you start looking back upstream, to the vendor who sold you the tour or charter or what ever. The person who believes that everything is in order as far as the business and insurance necessities are in place, is the guy who’s held liable for this “accident”.  I mean after all, these companies handle anywhere from hundreds of people per year, to hundreds of people per day. This includes every sort of tour from helicopter tours, boat tours and of course Fishing Charters. 

As an owner of a Fishing Charter company, and being a “Gringo” in Mexico, I have to make sure that everything is in place on the charter boats and tours I send people out on. Or naturally, I leave myself liable for legal action if something should happen. But things like insurance, certified captains, safety equipment, etc cost money, a lot of money. Of course these expenses are passed down to the customer who gladly pays the price of a ticket assuming these sorts of basics are covered in the price of a ticket. Well friends I’m not here to burst your bubble, but what you don’t know can hurt you, or worse, your family!

Having said all that, owning one of the largest charter companies in Puerto Vallarta, (Master Baiter’s Sportfishing and Tackle Est. 2000), we’ve sold hundreds of tours and charters yearly to reputable, safe and experienced companies who are also sold through Hotels in the area. But when a person comes into my shop looking for a fishing charter, they start quoting the guy down the way with the ridiculously low price for a full day charter thinking it’s going to be their leverage to get me to drop my price, after all “They’d rather go with me, but only if the price is right”.  The clients only concern is the price, naturally assuming the quality is equal to the service I offer. But they don’t really know what they’re saying when they confront me with competition issue on price.

As a Charter Company owner and broker of other boats as well, it’s my responsibility to look out for or protect the clients from themselves. There is no way the client can know a fraction of what I know when it comes to my area of expertise. People like this will visit some forum on the internet and read about how to get the best deal here or there and what they need to do to get it. So they come in the door thinking they’re armed with knowledge that will make me succumb to their negotiation tactics and that lower my prices. Well folks, that can’t happen because I sell safe charters, with safety equipment the law calls for and then some.

Now I’m not saying I won’t budge on price, my prices aren’t fixed so I can. But you just can’t get around the minimum expenses for a charter. Fixed cost means if it cost me more in maintenance, fuel, INSURANCE, than I’m going to make at the end of the month, then I’m out of business. So when I see, or rather hear these people talk these crazy / stupid prices from Pedro down the way or the guy who now is brokering charters when just six months ago went out of business selling broasted chicken, it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

The obvious things to look for would be quality of the boat, the quality of the equipment and the quality of the people. What isn’t obvious and doesn’t come to mind is how safe is this boat you’re putting yourself and your family on to save a few bucks? You have to ask yourself “What am I not getting for this really cheap price”?  I guarantee you they don’t think a bit about their safety or the emergency procedures that exist, or I should say doesn’t exist?

You see in Mexico there is no Coast Guard to come to the rescue! The only safety people that will come to you are the people the captain can raise on the radio, if there’s anyone in range when you’re fifty miles out. Even then it will most likely be an hour at best before any help gets out to you!! It will probably be some beat up boat with a captain who will want money from you to cover the expense of fuel and to line his pockets or swim home, it’s your choice! This is the choice you made which goes all the way back to the point of you looking for the cheapest tour provider amigos. At this point, you made the most expensive choice you could have possibly made and you risked you and possibly your families life in the process. The person who booked you on this boat had no concern except for the commission he would get, so he met your price and now if you’re unlucky, you’re swimming in waters where there are animals that will eat you! 

I recently saw just this sort of thing happen in Cancun on CNN. There were like sixty people on a Booze Cruise just off shore and the boat started taking on water. Guess who the first people off the boat were, the CREW! No concern for the clients, it was horrible. There was a death and the “rescue” boat was a private boat that went to get the crew, nobody else. There were some injured people, everyone was panicing and guess what, no insurance, nothing. They did have safety jackets though, so at least people could float and the water was warm. But if you know anything about that area of the world, there are sharks and Man o War Jelly fish with 100 ft or longer tentacles that can kill a person.

Another problem when it comes to safe boats are the guys who sell or rather the guys who try and get you into a timeshare presentation. Their only goal is to get you into a presentation and will put you on a cheap boat and tell you that there are Marlin 100 ft off shore. There are those who believe this B.S. and will go out on what they’re told is a safe boat. But these guys in Puerto Vallarta are prohibited from selling anything, let alone a charter. Many of the third tier or lower boats will work heavily with these guys because that’s the only way they can get business. They’ll tell you all kinds of things and in the end, you’ll discover you were duped and wound up on a fishing nightmare. If there is an emergency, you might as well be on Mars without a space suit amigo. Now I’m not a doom and gloom kinda person, but when you walk in my door and tell me Pedro just offered you a fishing trip for a full day for less than half what I would charge you for the same trip, ask yourself, why would Pedro be so cheap and Master Baiter’s is more expensive. That’s because at Master Baiter’s “We Won’t Jerk You Around” even if you want us to! Be safe, have fun and remember for the same money as a Jet Ski goes for on the beach per hour, you can have a safe half million dollar boat with fifty thousand dollars worth of fishing equipment. You’ll have the time of your life and you’re safety will never be in question!

If you have any questions feel free to contact me at Master Baiter’s Sportfishing and Tackle at Catchfish@MasterBaiters.com.mx I’ll do my best to answer any question no matter how simple or complicated…. Because that’s what I do! 

If you would like to have some questions answered or need information about Puerto Vallarta or Mexico in general, feel free to contact me with what is on your mind.

I have a facebook page now, MasterBaiter Stan or you can send me the friend request to: MasterBaitersPV@gmail.com and you will get my weekly fishing reports, photos, Fish of the Day Pic and other interesting things daily on  your computer.

Master Baiter´s is also selling it’s world famous T-shirts online at:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/COOL-SPORTFISHING-T-SHIRT-MASTER-BAITER-/321283510538?pt=US_Mens_Tshirts&var=&hash=item4acdfd510a

Remember, there are imposters out there using my trade mark protected name of Master Baiter’s Sportfishing and Tackle ®, so don´t be fooled.

Master Baiter´s has changed locations in Marina Vallarta between docks A and B on the boardwalk.

I am not dead as my competition would have youbelieve! The Tax Man did not close me down . For some reason my competitin doesn´t want you to talk with me about fishing here in PV. Mabye it´s because we´re  the only American owned and operated fishing company in Puerto. We are located in Marina Vallarta, on the Malicon or Boardwalk just down from Victors Café Te Cuba between Docks A and B. If you ask where we are, you will hear I am dead and out of business. The last time I checked, I was breathing, so call me or email me before you come in to get the living instructions to me…..

Until later, don´t forget to kiss your fish…..

Stan

Puerto Vallarta Big Game Fishing Delivers, Marlin, Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna R Here Now!

Puerto Vallarta Big Game Fishing Delivers, Marlin, Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna R Here Now!

Written by Stan Gabruk

One thing about fishing, I don’t care where you are, that never changes is the fact that everything changes. The only real question is how long will it take for things to change. Change can be good or it can be bad. For us the “change” has been positive. Yellowfin Tuna have moved back into the area, Sailfish are in and out, but mostly in. Blue and Black Marlin are increasing in Numbers and size. Bait is plentiful, Chorras mostly. Those lucky enough to be in Puerto Vallarta are seeing why Puerto Vallarta’s Fishing Grounds are the talk of the world. If you are into Deep Sea Fishing or Big Game Fishing, or Sportfishing, I don´t care what you choose to call it….. The time has come to get your game in gear and enjoy deserted fishing grounds with world class fish. If you want to pretend you’re Hemmingway, it wouldn’t be hard to do!

50lb Yellowfin Tuna at Corbeteña and El Banco with Capt. Kawi of Andelé our 34 ft Luhrs Conv.

The first paragraph pretty much explains it all, now comes the details… First, the bay is what the bay always turns into during the Rainy Season. It’s muddy along the shore line because of the sediment coming down the Adobe Clay earth of the local mountains. The trash line is a result of these rains, which alway presents opportunities. But the rains have not been nightly for the last week so the trash line is pretty much picked clean. As a result the bay fishing has been less than exciting. For those who are willing to go after species other than Dorado and Tuna, then the bay does have great opportunities for fishing in short day trips. Where the Agua Dulcé or Sweet water in English meets the salt water there are some really large Cubera type snappers for the bay. Running 25 to 40lbs they are feeding off the fresh water shrimp coming down the streams and rivers. Snook are also big sweet water fish with white meat they are very tasty indeed! Well worth a four to six hour trip targeting something to fill the cooler is always fun if you’re not snubbing-out for only the usual species. Find out what the nationals know and where they go. Bonito in the 20 lb’s range are common, Dorado are still small around 15 lbs, Snappers, Needle fish, Skip Jack Tuna around Yelapa. Still possibilities of Sailfish in the bay around Yelapa, not a big percentage opportunity though. Four hours works if you get the right boat and mind set, Your captain is the key with equipment a close second!

Marietta Islands have been less active, but there are still nice fish in the area. For some reason things have calmed down here. Sailfish are closer to El Morro, Small Dorado, Snappers, Amber Jacks, Small Groupers, you get my drift. The trash line sometimes will reach to the islands, this is always a good thing, but for now your best shot is Sailfish and Snappers. Again, things change and last August Rooster Fish took over the Marietta Islands for a month. So think positive as you do the chant for Roosters to come to the islands…Ommmmmmm……

Sailfish with a Google eye in his mouth, Spectacular photo….

The point off Punta Mita is active, but nothing you won´t find in the bay or at the Marietta Islands. Small Dorado, Sailfish in deeper water. Not many anglers heading this way with better producing areas closer in. Stay tuned…

Now with the Season coming on, High Season for fishing here in Puerto Vallarta (PV) does a slow trickle as the bay fills with opportunities. Rare Black Marlin and Blue Marlin are being drip fed into the area as those who did head out to El Banco and Corbeteña returned with Big Smiles and sore arms. Both Blue Marlin and Black Marlin are running in the 500 to 650lb range. Not a bad sized fish by any yardstick! Yellowfin Tuna just a few miles off the High Spots at El Banco are running anywhere from 50 lbs to 175 plus pounds. There have been some reports of Yellowfin Tuna in the 277 lb range, but those reports are in reality from the Tres Maria Islands. A Little outside of the ball park, but still within reasonable range for the Southern Calif. Guys.

With perfect water temperatures between 86 and 91 degrees and abundant bait, the stage is set for world class, world record sized Marlin and Tuna to move in. Those that are here in PV or planning on coming to PV are coming into the time of the year people always ask about. When they ask, ¨what time of the year is the fishing the best¨? Well from now until the first week of January will be your window amigo. September / October for those looking to boat a world record fish will find them most likely here during the hottest and most humid months of the year. Remember as the weather heats up, so does the fishing.

On Guanatuna (34 ft Gulf Stream), the first half of an overnight trip produced 10 fifty pound Yellowfin Tuna, 1 50lb Cubera Snapper, 1 Sailfish, and a nice sized Rainbow Runner. That´s about 13 fish to the boat not counting the lost hook-ups (spit hooks).

With the close proximity of El Banco and Corbeteña there are many times where currents will favor Corbeteña and not El Banco. Bait moves, water temperature change, clean blue water can change to dirty water in a heartbeat. Either The Rock or Corbeteña is firing one day, the next El Banco is on fire. You never really know which one is producing unless there are reports coming in, which are few and most likely crap from captains keeping the rest off their trail. Welcome to the game…

Marlin at El Banco

I find that most people are linear thinkers. They will for the most part listen to others about a location like Corbeteña or El Banco and what do they do, they make a bee-line to these places as fast as possible to get to these big game fish. If you´re off the point of Punta Mita heading to El Banco, why not drop a line about eight miles before you come to the high spots and see if you can get lucky. The area between the Marietta islands, Corbeteña and El Morro has been known to produce tournament winning Sailfish off the ridges. Yellowfin Tuna in tournament winning sizes are also in the stretch between El Banco and Corbeteña. Don´t just kick it in gear and head straight to the next point ASAP.. Deep Trenches, Ridges, swirling currents are all favorite hangouts to Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna, especially as water temperatures rise. Especially Yellowfin Tuna amigos. One more thing, just because you don´t see any birds diving or fish jumping, it doesn´t mean they´re not under you amigo!

As you are all aware of, you can get seriously hurt on a fishing boat and it can happen as fast as a bullet flying at you in the form of a flying lure spit from the mouth of that Game Fish you hoped to mount. Next thing you know you´ve got a very painful injury with the closest hospital two hours away as the Sea Gull Flies. Gaffs, Hooks, Lures, Knives, and soft flesh in the form of bare feet and body parts will always lose the battle. Be sure you are conscience of the area, don´t leave unsecured lures on counter tops or along the deck. Gaffs need to be secured and handy when not in use. Being lazy can be hazardous, so keep your wits about you amigos…..

Even a hook can be hazardous when you least suspect!

22 million visitors with ¨deaf¨ ears came to Mexico last year, a record year for tourism even with the news. Find out more here and calm your fears amigo: http://theintelhub.com/2012/06/29/tourism-booms-in-mexico- as-crime-rises/

Until next time, don´t forget to kiss your fish….

Master Baiter´s has changed its location to a larger shop located directly in front of Dock D in the shops behind the grassy area in the Puesta Del Sol complex half way between the Fajita Banana and Chappy´s bar, right next to the ATM.  Map of location in Marina Vallarta: http://masterbaiters.com.mx/location/   Come in and say hello to Stan.

You can come be a ¨Fan¨ on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Master-Baiters-Sportfishing-Tackle/88817121325  looking forward to meeting you online.   Facebook Fans get special perks you won´t find in my reports.

Roosters are Biting Mid Day, Crowds Hit The Mariettas, Tempers Flare….

Roosters are Biting Mid Day, Crowds Hit The Mariettas, Tempers Flare….

By Stan Gabruk

We´ve had Rooster Fish, Sailfish and even  Yellowfin Tuna all over the place for weeks now, the issue has been getting these fish to pay attention to your bait. Of course with the hugely abundant bait  in the bay, there is no reason for them to pay attention to what you have to offer !  The bait balls are still out there, but for some reason around mid day the Rooster fish have been coming up and taking what ever is thrown in front of them. This is good news, the bad news is there are so many boats in the same exact area that of course this is driving down the fish. Basically  like normal too many boats drives the fish down and away. It doesn´t help that when there is a hook-up boats come at you like Missles looking to hook into the boil and get clients fish. So this also means people, I should say low rent captains are ultimately getting between you and your fish…. and of course this causes lost fish, cut lines (the worst) and people looking for the ass that has so little respect for their fellow anglers that on the docks it is no surprise people are looking for these captains!

Roger Collard and my friend Sammy wanted th eir pictures taken in front of the shop, Nice 45lb Roosters on Guanatuna II at El Morro

Having Said that,  Guanatuna II our 28ft Super Panga with Capt. Juan Boated seven Rooster fish 45 lbs or so, several Snappers, Bonito and Sierra Mackerals just off El Morro Islands. El Morro is a favorite hang out for Roosters but not all the time. When you can catch it right you got some arm burning action you won´t forget …..

Snappers, Bonito, Mackerals, Barracuda, Pompano, there are plenty of fish to choose from….  Roosters seem to be coming up around Noon so keep this in mind when heading out….

Yellowfin Tuna and Sailfish are still hanging out at Yelapa, the bad news is you will just go crazy when they ignore your bait.

Here´s the deal in the bay, Whales chase fish away, those looking to fish and see whales, it can happen, probably won´t. Whales are eating their butts off out there on these tiny Sardines every thing species wise if also feeding on. Fish see whales in the area, they have a tendency to get this silly thought that they may be lunch if they hang around. So whales and fishing are kinda like oil and vinegar. They can mix, but they will seperate shortly….. Same goes for Manta Rays, they just scare fish.

I have not heard a report from Punta Mita, there may well be Dorado, Sails and Roosters in the area as would be normal for this time of the  year off the point.. Now Dorado is a little iffy, but there you are….

For the last couple of days at the Islands there have been so many boats in the area it has been chasing the fish down as you would expect, I already mentioned this. But it´s the bone head captains on the boats around you that are causing the fishing problems.  They are basically chasing their tails and the birds. Bait ball come to the surface, Birds show up, then it´s like a race to get to the boil before the other guy… Then when they all get there, if there is a Hook-Up, the next thing you know you have a panga between you and your fish.. NOT COOL BUCKWHEAT! My clients lost two Roosters because of this today!  Now imagine you paid a thousand dollars and some bone head captain does the same thing. This is what flaring tempers are all about, getting your ass kicked by some guy who figures you owe him a thousand dollars for choping his line when he had his bucket list fish … I have heard of people getting shot for things like this. Now if you´re near El Morro, hang in one location, watch the ¨chasers¨ chase as you wait for the fish to come up… do some jigging and be patient, it will pay off …..

Well that was today… Yesterday was the same… We´ll see about tomorrow… Thanks for reading!

More to come so Stay Tuned…. Remember my weeky fishing report, just updated, is on my web site now… http://www.masterbaiters.com.mx … this is for the daily stuff and what ever else would be appropriate.

Stan

Master Baiter´s….