Puerto Vallarta Fishing Report, Sport Fishing In Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta Sport Fishing Report: January 1, 2009
Feliz Ano Nuevo! from Puerto Vallarta where the weather is warm and sunny in comparison to the frozen tundra of the northern hinterlands. Air temperatures for December were dry, 65-90F; making for water temps in the 74-84F range. This variability has led to an extended big game fishing season! A mixed bag of BIG GAME species have been around with the swirling water changes. The big game love to feed at the edges of the water temperature margins. Sailfish, Blue and Striped Marlin and BIG Mahi are here as well as the giant Yellow Fin Tuna who have delayed their departure because they are still enjoying the water temperatures. Tuna range from 60-200 pounds pulled from Corbetena to El Banco! One of the local boats hauled in 30 Tuna one day last week. One or two would have been plenty for anyone.
On December 29th, fishing aboard the SIRENA, Kurt Heidenreich, landed the Grand Slam of Big Game Fishing! He hooked up: 1 Sailfish; 1 Striped Marlin (the first for SIRENA this season); 1 Yellow Fin Tuna- over 100 pounds; and 3 Mahi- 60-70 inches. That was one of those truly great days of sport fishing off Puerto Vallarta!
As January water temperatures moderate one can expect more Blue and Black Marlin landings south of the Bay of Banderas to Cabo Corrientes and Little Banco. Both locations are well within range for the SIRENA which has the power to get anglers out fast to the fishing grounds. Reports from Mazatlan say a good number of Striped Marlin are sighted moving south towards our area so the Marlin season looks great. The off-shore waters are still clear blue so Marlin, Sailfish and Mahi are hitting lures and dead bait without preference, but the Tuna desire live bait on flat lines or kite fishing on a drift.
Short trip or bay fishing offers Rooster Fish which are moving back around Punta Mita, albeit, not big numbers yet ,but good size is what counts; these fighters are in the 50-70 pound range. Also in the bay, the angler has the opportunity to hook up Spanish Mackerel, Skip Jack Tuna and Bonitas. Something for everyone!
Humpbacks, dolphins , sea turtles and giant mantas are still a pleasure to watch any day out on the SIRENA, and any day fishing is better than shoveling snow in 3 layers of winter clothes! Always remember to tag and release when possible ; so you will be able to fish another day in Paradise!
--Dan Gilmartin, SIRENA Owner/Operator & Angler