Black Marlin, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta Fishing
Puerto Vallarta is one of the best fishing destinations I know of that is easy to get to. There is fantastic inshore fishing for Roosterfish, Snappers, Amberjack, etc especially during the winter months around the new moon. Offshore it offers arguably the best fishing in the world for big Yellowfin Tuna exceeding 200lbs. The tuna seem to overshadow everything else, but there is good Marlin fishing as well as some of the biggest Snappers you will ever see. The best offshore fishing is September through December but watch the weather as storms can come through and wash out the fishing for a few days. I like to fish a little before (but not during) the full moon.
The two main offshore fishing spots are Roca Corbetania and El Banco, which are both fairly far offshore. If you talk to a charter captain and they are not willing to go there then don't go out with them unless you want to target inshore fish. There are some fantastic charter operators in Puerto Vallarta and a lot of guys that will just take you for a boat ride for slightly less money. The best guys are the most expensive for a reason. Much of the big game fishing is done with live skipjack for bait, so ask if your charter boat has tuna tubes to keep them alive. If it doesn't, find one that does.
Two other less known but good fisheries here are the Snook in the rivers around Puerto Vallarta and the Largemouth Bass fishing a couple hours north in Lake Agua Milpa. You can catch bass until your arms fall off there. These guys will put you on the bass and the profits go to a local orphanage which is very cool: http://www.fishinmissionadventures.com/
If you want a larger cruiser type boat, these guys are my favorite: www.marlasportfishing.com
If you want a smaller panga (which I prefer for inshore fishing) this guy is great: http://www.monsteryellowfin.com/
Click Here for the Species Pages for info on how to catch these fish or click on a pic below to enlarge:
Puerto Vallarta is one of the best fishing destinations I know of that is easy to get to. There is fantastic inshore fishing for Roosterfish, Snappers, Amberjack, etc especially during the winter months around the new moon. Offshore it offers arguably the best fishing in the world for big Yellowfin Tuna exceeding 200lbs. The tuna seem to overshadow everything else, but there is good Marlin fishing as well as some of the biggest Snappers you will ever see. The best offshore fishing is September through December but watch the weather as storms can come through and wash out the fishing for a few days. I like to fish a little before (but not during) the full moon.
The two main offshore fishing spots are Roca Corbetania and El Banco, which are both fairly far offshore. If you talk to a charter captain and they are not willing to go there then don't go out with them unless you want to target inshore fish. There are some fantastic charter operators in Puerto Vallarta and a lot of guys that will just take you for a boat ride for slightly less money. The best guys are the most expensive for a reason. Much of the big game fishing is done with live skipjack for bait, so ask if your charter boat has tuna tubes to keep them alive. If it doesn't, find one that does.
Two other less known but good fisheries here are the Snook in the rivers around Puerto Vallarta and the Largemouth Bass fishing a couple hours north in Lake Agua Milpa. You can catch bass until your arms fall off there. These guys will put you on the bass and the profits go to a local orphanage which is very cool: http://www.fishinmissionadventures.com/
If you want a larger cruiser type boat, these guys are my favorite: www.marlasportfishing.com
If you want a smaller panga (which I prefer for inshore fishing) this guy is great: http://www.monsteryellowfin.com/
Click Here for the Species Pages for info on how to catch these fish or click on a pic below to enlarge:
