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December fishing report Puerto Vallarta

December 2025 Fishing Report

Hello, avid anglers! Captain Pete here with your essential December 2025 update from the breathtaking coastline of the Riviera Nayarit. The transition into winter has been spectacular, with the ocean surface temperature settling around a perfect 75°F (24°C). This drop is the biological dinner bell, signaling the start of the massive migratory feeding frenzy that transforms our region into a world-class sport fishing destination. If you’re looking for prime winter action, securing your Nuevo Vallarta fishing charter now is highly recommended.

Offshore Action: Giants at El Banco and El Corbetenamarlin fishing

The sheer density of baitfish currently congregating at our famed offshore pinnacles—El Banco (The Bank) and El Corbetena (The Rock)—is driving incredible results. For serious adventurers, the eight- to twelve-hour Deep Sea Fishing trips are delivering legendary catches right now.

The star of the show remains the Striped Marlin. We are experiencing a fantastic bite, with high numbers of these acrobatic billfish aggressively hitting slow-trolled live baits and fast-moving lures. These magnificent animals thrive in the slightly cooler winter currents, providing the exhilarating, rod-bending challenge that defines a successful offshore trip. If landing a beautiful billfish is your ultimate goal, this is the prime window to make it happen.

Beyond the marlin, the Yellowfin Tuna schools are cooperating, too! While the gigantic Cow Tuna may have pushed a little further out, we’re pulling in plenty of 40–80 lb schoolie fish, especially near El Corbetena, where we’re using heavy jigs and kite techniques for the best results. We are also finding beautiful, high-jumping Sailfish, which we safely tag and release to maintain the health of the Riviera Nayarit fishery. No Deep Sea Fishing report is complete without mentioning the always-exciting Dorado (or Mahi-Mahi). We are finding them still abundant, offering terrific aerial action and excellent table fare. Look for them aggressively chasing schools of flying fish near visible temperature breaks and floating debris on your offshore run.mahi-mahi fishing

Inshore Excellence: Banderas Bay Fast Action

For those preferring shorter, four- to six-hour excursions, the protected waters of Banderas Bay, right outside the marina, are a non-stop hive of activity. Our Nuevo Vallarta fishing trips focused on the inshore zones, particularly around Punta Mita and Cabo Corrientes, continue to exceed expectations.

The undisputed king of the coast this time of year is the magnificent Roosterfish. Their winter activity levels are at their peak as they patrol the rocky points and sandy drop-offs close to the shoreline. The most productive technique for hooking one of these powerful fighters is slow-trolling live mullet or caballitos (small jacks). If landing a trophy Roosterfish on light tackle is your bucket-list item, the inshore waters are ready for you. Furthermore, the bay is thick with aggressive Jack Crevalle and Spanish Mackerel, offering fast-paced action that is perfect for young anglers or anyone seeking constant hookups and great results. These trips offer fast action and are easily accessible, making inshore Nuevo Vallarta fishing a superb choice for a half-day outing.

The Wildlife Spectacle and Captain Pete’s Tips

December is truly a magical time, as the peak of the sport fishing season perfectly aligns with the annual arrival of the Humpback Whales. These gentle giants have returned to Banderas Bay to breed and give birth, offering unforgettable experiences right from our boats. Witnessing a massive mother breach alongside her newborn calf elevates every charter into a magnificent nature tour. Ask us about our combo trips!fishing Puerto Vallarta

Weather-wise, December is beautiful. The seas are often flat and calm, with air temperatures ranging from a pleasant 65°F (18°C) in the early morning to a warm 78°F (26°C) by midday—dress in layers! The water clarity is exceptional, which is crucial for sight-feeding predators like the Striped Marlin and Sailfish. If you are eager to land your trophy fish, enjoy explosive Roosterfish fights, and marvel at the whale migration in the stunning Riviera Nayarit, contact us today. We are ready to make your winter fishing adventure unforgettable!

Happy Holidays and Tight Lines,

https://www.travelvallarta.com

Captain Pete

Puerto Vallarta fishing report January 2026

Happy Fishmas and Feliz Año Nuevo from Puerto Vallarta!
¡Bienvenidos, amigos! It’s your favorite salt-crusted captain, Pete, coming to you live from the docks. First off, a huge Happy Fishmas and Feliz Año Nuevo to all my fishing family out there. It’s January 2026, and while I know many of you are back home digging out of the snow or winterizing your rigs, let me tell ya—the only thing we’re “winterizing” here in Mexico is the ice chest to make room for more fillets!

It is my absolute pleasure to bring you the January 2026 fishing report straight from the stunning, blue waters of Puerto Vallarta. If you’re looking for a winter getaway that feels like a literal paradise, you’ve parked your boat in the right slip. We’ve got perfect weather, beaches that’ll make your jaw drop, and some of the friendliest people on the planet. But let’s get down to the real reason you’re reading this: you want to know if the fish are biting. The short answer? You bet your bottom dollar they are.

The January Conditions: Tropical “Chills”
Winter in our neck of the woods is simply magical. Now, don’t let the word “winter” fool ya. Our mornings greet us with a cool, crisp breeze around 65°F—just enough to need a light hoodie while we’re rigging the lines. By the time the sun hits high noon, we’re basking in a perfect 78°F.

The Pacific Ocean follows suit, staying right in that sweet spot between 65°F and 78°F. The locals might call it “cold water,” and sure, it might feel a bit “refreshing” when you first jump in for a snorkel, but for the fish, it’s prime time. This temperature range creates some of the most action-packed Puerto Vallarta fishing you’ll find all year.

The Big Boys: Offshore Fishing
While our friends up north are hunker’d down, we’re just hitting our stride. The cooler waters of January bring a change of guard in the deep blue. The massive blue and black marlin have started their migration to warmer southern waters, but don’t you worry—their cousins, the striped marlin, have arrived in force to fill the gap. These guys are acrobatic, fast, and put on a heck of a show.

If you’re heading out for some serious offshore fishing, you’re also going to run into plenty of sailfish. They love these January currents. And let’s not forget the crowd favorites: mahi-mahi (or as we call ’em here, dorado). These gold-and-green beauties are still lighting up the spread, providing both a great fight and the best fish tacos you’ll ever taste. When we’re out there, we’re constantly looking for those massive schools of sardines. These “bait balls” are like an all-you-can-eat buffet for predators. Watching a striped marlin or a pod of dorado crash a bait ball is a sight that’ll leave your adrenaline pumping and your arms sore from reeling.

Inshore Action and “Rooster” Fever
Not everyone wants to go way out to the Corbetena or El Banco, and that’s just fine because the inshore fishing right now is spectacular. Our 6-hour bay trips are producing impressive catches of yellowtail, Spanish mackerel, and snapper.

But the real king of the shoreline right now is the roosterfish. These “punks of the Pacific” with their iconic mohawk fins are a blast to catch. Pro tip: if you want to hook a trophy roosterfish, we’ve been having huge success using live Spanish mackerel as bait. There’s nothing like seeing that comb-fin slicing through the surf right before your drag starts screaming!

Why Choose Our Fishing Charters?
Whether you are a seasoned pro or a first-timer who doesn’t know a lure from a lolly pop, we’ve got the know-how to help you hook your dream fish. We offer the best prices on deep-sea fishing adventures in the region.

6-Hour Trips: Perfect for families and hitting the inshore honey holes.

8-Hour to Multi-Day: For the hardcore anglers chasing the big game offshore.

Whale Watching Bonus: This is the best part of January! While we’re hunting for sailfish, we often see humpback whales breaching right next to the boat. It’s a two-for-one nature show!

So, what are you waiting for? Come visit the friendliest port city in the world. The sun is shining, the beer is cold, and the fish are hungry. Give me a call toll-free at 800-430-6048 to check our availability. Let’s get you out on one of the premier fishing charters in Mexico and make some memories.

Tight lines and blue water,

Capt. Pete and Crew

Nuevo Vallarta fishing report

Capt. Pete and Crew

Puerto Vallarta fishing report November 2025

Puerto Vallarta Fishing Report: November 2025 – The Pinnacle of the Season!

Fellow anglers, Captain Pete here, reporting straight from the pristine coastline of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! November is not just a great fishing month; it marks the absolute pinnacle of the season here, attracting dedicated local and international fishing enthusiasts. The deep, cold, crystal-clear blue waters are fully settled, and the abundance of bait fish has the entire pelagic population locked into aggressive feeding patterns. If you are looking for explosive action, this is undeniably the month to be here!

The Offshore Chase: Giants at the BanksPuerto Vallarta fishing boats

For those seeking true trophy catches, our deep-sea runs target the famed offshore banks where the ocean’s largest game fish congregate. The conditions are perfect for chasing down the biggest predators, with water temperatures ranging from a comfortable F to F, creating a paradise for trophy seekers.

The highlight of our offshore trips is the pursuit of Marlin. We are seeing strong numbers of Black and Blue Marlin aggressively feeding, providing incredible opportunities for massive catches. We are also heavily focused on the colossal Yellowfin Tuna. These muscle-bound brutes are consistently showing up on the sonar, ready to test the toughest anglers. We successfully hunt these giants using a combination of heavy tackle, large live baits, and specialized techniques around the structure of El Banco (The Bank). Landing a Yellowfin Tuna pushing well over the 200-pound mark is a very real possibility right now, delivering a fight that few other species can match.

The presence of these massive predators confirms that our offshore fishery is delivering world-class Big Game Fishing action throughout November.

Inshore Action and The Tournament Frenzy

The action is just as hot closer to shore, particularly inside the vast expanse of Banderas Bay. Our shorter 4 to 8-hour trips are delivering consistent and varied catches that are ideal for families or those seeking fast-paced fun. The beautiful Sailfish are plentiful, providing exhilarating catch-and-release opportunities characterized by blistering runs and spectacular jumps.

No report would be complete without mentioning the colorful Mahi-Mahi (Dorado). These acrobatic fighters are readily hitting lures and live bait around any structure or debris, providing excellent table fare and non-stop fun. For our popular 4 to 6-hour trips, anglers are successfully targeting Spanish mackerel, hard-fighting Yellowtail, and various Snapper species near the rocks and reefs.

The November Tournament Scene

This month, Puerto Vallarta is hosting two major events that inject high-stakes excitement into the marina:

  1. The Los Muertos Tournament (Nov 7 th and 8 th): This is one of the biggest fishing tournaments of the year, typically drawing around 200 boats. The primary focus is on Mahi-Mahi and Sailfish, and the competition is fierce. Impressive cash prizes totaling 450,000 pesos are on the line, and we have a strong history here, including catching the largest fish in a previous year and securing second place last year. The entry fee is 6,500 pesos plus the cost of your charter.
  2. International Tournament (Nov 12th): Registration opens for three intense days of fishing, targeting the “big four”: Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, and Mahi-Mahi. This event is tailored for the deep-sea enthusiast, with an entry fee of 37,000 pesos. Our focus during this competition will be on landing those massive Marlin and Tuna we know are feeding offshore.

Specialty Trips and Contact Informationtuna fishing Puerto vallarta

In addition to standard charters, we provide unique experiences perfect for the winter season. One of our most sought-after offerings is a half-day fishing excursion combined with half a day of whale watching. Whales typically make their grand entrance from November through December, and these trips offer an incredible combination of huge catches and stunning wildlife moments. Another popular choice is a half-day fishing trip paired with beach activities, such as snorkeling and beachfront dining.

We eagerly look forward to welcoming all of you to the waters of Puerto Vallarta Fishing for an unforgettable experience. For newcomers and general information, please visit our comprehensive Q&A page. You can also contact Captain Pete directly at our toll-free number, 800-430-6048, for the latest conditions and to book your deep-sea adventure.

Tight lines,

https://www.travelvallarta.com

Captain Pete