'Champagne Days' of Sportfishing Continue in Puerto Vallarta Robin Wade - WONews.com
go to original December 26, 2012

Corbetena - It's all mine! - Here's Capt. Cesar from Magnifico on a day off at Corbetena as he boated this nice 125-pound yellowfin tuna with a cedar plug. It took about 45 minutes to bring in with heavy drag. This is what you get when you have Corbetena all to yourself. (Photo courtesy of Master Baiter's)

It's the highest part of high season for both fishing and tourism in Puerto Vallarta's world famous fishing grounds and yet, there are no anglers in sight. Hard to believe when the fishing has been incredible at Corbeteña and El Banco that not a single sportsman can be found. Black marlin, sailfish, dorado and yellowfin tuna… All the players are here, except the anglers.

"These 'Champagne Days' of sportfishing are short lived," said Stan Gabruk, owner Master Baiter's Sportfishing & Tackle. "They only happen between Thanksgiving and just after New Year's Day. The water conditions are predictably the best they will be for the year, and right now you will find it all to yourself.

Those looking for a real fishing experience of a lifetime can have it now, but it's going to cost you if you are going to play to win. For now, this means going the distance to El Banco, Corbeteña or, of course, the Tres Maria Islands.

"For the very few that are heading out, they'll find whatever species they are looking for; that is if you go for more than six hours," Gabruk said. "The four-hour trips are catching nothing you would want to write home about, unless you're near Yelapa. Then you have a shot at some nice-sized footballs or 40-pound tuna, skippies as we call them. Or maybe a sailfish if you're off the beach about 7 to 10 miles out."

"The Marietta Islands have sprung back into shape after a few slow days." Gabruk said. "Dorado are the main players around the islands right now and running anywhere from 35 to 50 pounds. But remember to throw the babies and the females back if you ever want to fish them again in the future. The yellowfin footballs are running 35 to 45 pounds here, but mostly out from the island. Snappers are averaging 25 pounds, and there are bonito and sailfish in the 80-pound range. The bite is still in the mid-morning into the mid-day and then it's back on in the afternoon around 3. Live bait is still king, but silver diamond jigs are working well. If you put a hook on your car keys that will probably work as well; no rocket science here."

"Corbetena, El Banco — take your pick — the players are going back and forth so it's a coin toss for now," Gabruk said. "I still prefer Corbetena to El Banco, but El Banco has potential for the larger marlin, but just when you discount the rock, you'll be sorry. So toss a coin and have faith."

Gabruk said yellowfin tuna can run from 75 pounds to well over 200 pounds out here right now. "If you have time on your hands and the desire for tuna runs deep, you could be working a 250-pound cow until your arms fall off at the Tres Maria Islands on a 'find the fish' overnight trip," he said. "My suggestion... Make sure the boat you're going out on has a harness so you can lean your body weight into the fight. They provide twice the power and half the strain."

"Dorado (mahi mahi) are running 45 to 55 or so pounds out here," Gabruk said. "The larger sailfish are still prevalent for now; they seem to prefer google eyes for bait, but I would run a cedar plug, as well. Cedar plugs can be an old favorite you may ignore, but you should be running one with live bait and you never know what may happen next. With blue water, perfect temperatures, abundant bait and big fish, you want it, we've got it."

Master Baiter's Sportfishing was conceived by fishermen who love the sport, people who don't like to be jerked around when it comes to a fishing charter in Puerto Vallarta, and know others feel the same way. Stan Gabruk, owner of Master Baiter's Sportfishing & Tackle, can be found at the downtown store at Paseo Díaz Ordaz No. 915 (by McDonalds-Boardwalk). Store hours are 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. Telephone is (322) 222-4043 or you can email Stan at info@masterbaitersfishing.com. For more information, visit Master Baiter's.