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Category: puerto vallarta fishing report

Puerto Vallarta Fishing Report: March 2026

March 2026 fishing outlook for some of the best fishing on the planet. If you’re heading down our way this month, you’re in for a treat. Between the world-class hospitality of our local community and the perfect “goldilocks” weather—warm enough for shorts, but with those cool afternoon breezes that keep you refreshed—there is simply no better place to be for Spring Break. Remember, March is one of the best months to fish here when you can catch just about anything in the ocean.

As we move further into March, we are seeing some incredible transitions in the water. Things are heating up (literally and figuratively), and if you’ve been waiting for the “big ones” to show up, your patience is about to pay off. The water temperature starts moving up,Puerto Vallarta fishing report and the bait balls start moving into our area. Offshore and inshore.

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The Secret Sauce: Bait Movement in Banderas Bay
One of the most surprising things newcomers notice is how quickly the “bait balls” can pop up. In the world of Banderas Bay fishing, finding the bait is 90% of the battle. During March, we see massive schools of diverse baitfish entering the bay and moving just offshore.

Here’s what we look for—water clarity, moon phases, and temperature—but the number one factor is bait movement. Everything’s gotta eat, and the big trophy fish are no exception. If we find the bait, we find the fish. The trick we’ve mastered over the last 40 years is timing that bait movement with the tides. When you hit that incoming or outgoing tide right on top of a bait ball, the action is absolutely electric.

Targeting the Giants: Marlin and Beyond
As the water temperatures continue to climb this month, we’re starting to see the arrival of the heavy hitters. Marlin fishing in Puerto Vallarta becomes the name of the game as the blues and blacks start moving into our local grounds. These fish are looking for that warmer water and the abundance of food that March provides.

Puerto Vallarta fishing rates

If you’re looking for an adrenaline-pumping experience, our deep-sea fishing Puerto Vallarta trips are designed to get you out where the monsters live. We don’t just “go for a boat ride”; we hunt. Whether we are trolling the high seas or dropping lines deep, we are looking for that line-screaming run that makes a trip legendary.

The Roosterfish Rush
A lot of anglers don’t realize that March is actually the premier time for Roosterfish fishing in Mexico. While everyone else is chasing the usual suspects, the real pros know that the coastlines around Vallarta are teeming with these “punk-rock” looking fighters right now.

They are aggressive, they are strong, and they look incredible in a photo before we release them back to the wild. If you’ve never hooked a Roosterfish, you haven’t truly lived. We find them patrolling the reefs and the shorelines, and when they strike, you’ll know it.

Choosing Your Adventure: The 8-Hour Sweet Spot
With so many options—from bay fishing and bottom fishing to overnight offshore grinds—it can be tough to choose. However, my personal favorite for March is our 8-hour fishing trip.fishing in Puerto Vallarta

The First Half: We start inside the bay, checking the local hotspots for action.

The Blast Offshore: Then, we head out to the deeper water looking for Sailfish and Marlin.

The Backup Plan: If the Marlin are being shy, we pivot. We’ll hit the reefs for Snapper, Amberjack, and the sought-after Roosterfish.

This versatility is why we are one of the most trusted Puerto Vallarta fishing charters. We don’t just stick to one plan; we go where the fish are biting.

40 Years of Local Expertise
We’ve been doing this for over three decades. Whether you’re a first-timer who needs help choosing the right boat or a seasoned pro looking for a 4-day offshore expedition, we’ve got the gear and the grit to make it happen. My philosophy has always been simple: If we can’t catch it, you don’t want to hook it.

Puerto Vallarta is one of the safest places on Earth. Our streets are clean, plenty of security, the beer is cold, and the fish are hungry. Puerto Vallarta is ready for you and your family. My crew and I are ready to show you why we love this life.cow tuna fishing Puerto Vallarta

Tight lines,
Puerto Vallarta fishing report

Capt. Pete

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 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

 

Punta Mita fishing report June 2023

Let’s take a look at the June fishing report for Punta Mita, Mexico. This report has the most changes of any fishing report we do all year long.
If you want to know why please read on. The first big change is the weather. June 15th. is when the rainy season starts and lasts until October 15 th. Some folks think the rains are bad. It’s just the opposite. The rains we received late in the evenings almost every day have a profound effect on fishing. Often, rains bring pelagic fish and bait into our bay. I also tell clients that if you find bait movement you will find fish. Some days we will receive heavy rains. The causes a flooding affect our numerous rivers emptying all kinds of debris into the bay. The sailfish,mah-mahi and even marlin like to hunt on these trash lines we call them. There will be a distinct line in the water where one side will be dark blue and the other side will be off-colored. There is no doubt that pelagic fish love to hunt the conditions of the water. Live bait slowed trolled is one of the best methods. fishing Nuevo Vallarta
With heavy rains, it is not uncommon to see huge trees, small islands ,and just about anything you can imagine floating in the bay. These serve as excellent places to fish and score some dorados, sailfish, tuna, and all kinds of small game right here in the bay.
The offshore fishing action heats up about as hot as the Texas weather in the summer months here in Punta Mita, Mexico. There is fantastic fishing in the bay, but if you want huge marlin and tuna you will need to venture offshore.
With the rainy season coming and the summer months around the corner, there is only one thing. The big fish will be here for the taking. To mention a few of our favorite fishing spots: Morro, El Banco, and La Corbetena. These honey holes are perfect for fantastic marlin,tuna, mahi-mahi and sailfish. They may be farther away, but they are well worth the ride out to these fishing grounds. Nothing like the feeling of dropping a ten-pound bait off one of our Avet 2-speed fishing reels with almost a mile of line on it. Then waiting for the big one to hit first thing in the morning. In the summer, especially in June, there are many ways to fish here.
For marlin, sailfish, and mahi-mahi we love to run some of our top water fast-speed lures first. These lures can be run with some natural baits as well. While fast trolling, we often see marlin, dorados, or sailfish come into our spread and look at all the baits, but not one. This is a good time to deploy live baits. The three rules of deep-sea fishing in Punta Mita are
Live bait, clear water, and bait movement. When you have three you will be on the fish.
family fishing in Nuevo Vallarta
Every summer, I receive a thousand calls asking about our weather. Our fishing clients will look on Google Weather and think it’s going to rain all day. Punta Mita rarely rains, mostly in the evenings. In the morning, it may look overcast but nine times out of ten it always clears up for an exceptional day of fishing. Before any of our boats leave the dock, I check the weather for all our clients. After 36 years of fishing here and no accidents, our record speaks for itself. If anyone needs to speak with one of our Captains about fishing conditions, weather or what to catch here in June please give us a call. We are the only deep-sea fishing company where you can actually talk to a qualified captain. That fish is here every day.
Did you want the latest fishing report? This can be done via email or on our toll-free number 800 430 6048. Our hours are 6 am to 9 pm daily.
There is another way to see the catches from the last few days and that’s Facebook. We try to post current catches here for anglers to see when time permits.
Here are some tips for fishing in Punta Mita in the summer months. Bring plenty of live bait. Make sure your boat has tuna tubes for offshore trips. These are essential for huge tuna and marlin fishing. Make a plan for big fish and work together. Don’t worry about the e never take you out in dangerous conditions. Think about big marlins and sunny days. Don’t forget a few beers to celebrate the huge catch and all the fun you will have fishing here in Mexico.
Fishful thinking
 
 

Nuevo Vallarta fishng report April 2023

Nuevo Vallarta is best known for many things, Easter activities, incredible beaches, nightlife, five-star hotels, stunning condos, some of the finest cuisine in the world and last but not least some of the best fishing on the Pacific ocean.  Once a farming area and palm tree supply and is now a major angling site for fishermen from all over the world. Come down and discover what Nuevo Vallarta fishing has to offer for April.

April fishing in Nuevo Vallarta Mexicore you

For the anglers that have visited here in April, you already know the fishing is excellent during this month. Let’s take a look at what we will be fishing for during the start of spring break in Nuevo Vallarta. The marlin will be here and the larger schools will be mostly offshore.  The Blue marlin moves into our fishing grounds around this time of the year.  We have more striped marlin than blue marlin.  Some black marlin but this depends on the water temperature. The striped marlin is like the cooler water so we always keep an eye on the water temperatures and where the larger baits are schooling.  There will be some mahi-mahi action mixed with the marlin action and always fun to catch. The dorados as they are called here in Mexico are some of the best eating you can find in the world.

Nuevo Vallarta fishing prices

Around the reefs and a few spots we have marked here on our GPS there will be the amberjack, grouper, snapper, bottom fish, and the always schooling yellowtail. We love to try jigging, use cut bait, lures, and the all-time favorite live baiting on these fantastic fishing places here close to Nuevo Vallarta. There are few days that the fish will not bite here at these famous places we fish in April.  The only problem we encounter is when we have strong currents. In April the sea is usually flat with no weather issues. One of the frequent questions I get every day is “is it going to be rough out there? ”  April brings lots of sunshine, flat seas, and good fishing.

The good thing about fishing in Nuevo Vallarta in April is you are not limited to one or two species of fish. We have many different kinds of fish and offshore/inshore fishing depending on how much time you want to spend here in our fishing mecca. Let us know your budget, how many will be in your group and I’ll guarantee we will get you on the right boat with one of our top-notch Captains and first mates. I’ve included our email info and my toll-free number to get the latest fishing report and current conditions. 800 4306048.marlin fishing in Nuevo Vallarta

To make reservations in Nuevo Vallarta fishing 

Here is a list of some of our top fishing spots in Nuevo Vallarta Mexico,

  1. The entire bay of Nuevo Vallarta has great fishing from the reefs, the south side of the bay up to the north side of the bay around the La Cruz Area.  There is also incredible bay fishing north close to Punta Mita.
  2. The islands offshore along with several reefs we fish almost every day, From trolling to top water casting these fishing spots to offer excellent fishing in April.
  3. El Morro, An offshore honey hole of a fishing spot that holds marlin, sailfish, mahi-mahi, and some good bottom fishing
  4. Corbetena or the Rock as it is called by most of the local Captains here in Puerto Vallarta offers some of the best fishing you can find in the ten-hour range for offshore fishing. Marlin, tuna, huge snapper, dorados, and sailfish just to mention a few of the pelagic fish we catch in April at this fantastic fishing spot
  5. El Banco is known for its huge tuna, marlin, dog tooth snapper, mahi-mahi, and much more. this 12 to 14 trip takes you over 50 miles offshore and it is known as one of the top fishing places in the world.bay fishing in Nuevo Vallarta Mexico

As you can see Nuevo Vallarta has a lot offers in April for fishing along with Easter activities, incredible beaches, nightlife, five-star hotels, stunning condos, some of the finest cuisine in the world, and last but not least the friendliest people in the world.

Hope to see everyone out on the water this month.

Capt Pete and crew

see the fishing report for Puerto Vallarta fishing

Nuevo Vallarta fishing report January 2023

Happy new year from Nuevo Vallarta fishing report for our January action. Curious to see what we have been catching and what the fishing report will be for 2023 looks like in Nuevo Vallarta then keep on reading here. We had an unbelievable Christmas with mahi-mahi, action, sailfish, yellowtail, Spanish mackerel, roosterfish, and some snapper. Do you want to know how and where we were catching the best-eating fish? Look no further as we have the info here to share with you.

Marlin fishing nuevo vallarta January 2023

The winter fishing here in Nuevo Vallarta has had some hot days of fishing with cool mornings to start with. The weather in the winter here is something to look forward to.  The mornings are around 65 degrees and warm up to 79 degrees.   This makes for ideal conditions for fishing here in Mexico.  The Pacifico ocean often cools down some here in the winter months like January.  The locals and Captains refer to this cold water, but the temperature is always around 78 to 65 degrees. Most anglers would love to have these kinds of conditions back home. I know most folks up north have already winterized their boats and stored their fishing gear away for the season.  Here in Nuevo Vallarta, we are just getting started. 

 See our best prices for Nuevo Vallarta fishing

With the cooling of the water, some of the pelagic fish move from the fishing place to the fishing place or offshore farther.  The big blue and black marlin like the water to be a little bit warmer. Some move offshore to different areas. This does not mean we won’t catch them, it’s just less of them around to catch.  The sailfish, mahi-mahi,tuna, and yellowtail will be here for some rod-bending action offshore.  The amberjack will move in about the time the roosterfish show up this month.  We already see some of these fish show up in good numbers.  Nothing like catching amberjack or roosterfish on a big 5 lbs Bonita. The roosterfish and amberjack like the reef areas and can’t stay away from the live bait we use to land these huge fish.  One of the tricks we use for roosterfish is a large Spanish mackerel as a teaser on a short line behind the stern of the bost. This brings them up to our live bait. Then hold on for dear life when they hit the line.  There big fish can go well over a 100 lbs.

 

In the month of January, we have schools and schools of sardines showing up all over the bay and offshore this helps our inshore and offshore fishing tremendously.  There are days when we find and fish around the huge bait balls and we will catch fish until it feels like our arm is going to fall off.  When the bait is around the fish start feeding and you can catch them on just about anything.  The next few months we remain the same with more and more bait coming into our bay.  The offshore fishing is a little different and we usually toll for the striped marlin that loves the cooler water temperatures.  These huge pelagic fish roam offshore but are often found in the bay looking for big schools of sardines or bait balls.

fishing report nuevo vallarta

When trolling offshore we always like a couple of live baits ready.  We call the bait google eye.  Many times during the trip we will see a Dorado, sailfish or striped marlin finning on the surface.  This is when they are most active and feed during the tide changes. If we see them finning on the surface, they will 90 % of the time hit the live bait on our 2 speed avet spinning gear loaded with 150 yards of mono line backed with 400 yards of spectra line. You will need all this line when these marlin get hooked.  They can make a run of several hundred yards in just a few seconds.  So when your are out there on one of our inshore or offshore trips keep an eye out for that fin in the water. This could turn a good day into an extraordinary day. 

 To book a fishing trip for Nuevo Vallarta click here

The inshore fishing for the month of January will be good for the troll, jigging, bottom fish and of course live baiting. We watch the conditions daily for temp changes, water clarity, and bait movement.  I always tell our clients if they find the bait you will find the fish.

The fast-feeding yellowtail, good-eating Spanish mackerel, California bonitas and snapper will be here for the taking for those who venture out on one of our 6 hrs trips here in the bay.  If you are looking for a fun trip fishing in the bay and want to catch a lot of fish this is the trip for you.nuevo vallarta whale watching

There is a big bonus coming to Nuevo Vallarta in the winter months.  Not only do we have fantastic fishing, perfect weather, beautiful beaches, and incredible restaurants we also have humpback whales show up. Imagine hooking up a huge fish and then looking over and seeing a 20-ton 40-foot-long whale right beside your boat. Can’t believe it?? Happens almost every day.  

So please come down and enjoy this winter wonderland we call home 

 Merry Fishmas and Happy New year

Capt. Pete and crew

see what is happening on the other side of the bay in Puerto Vallarta Mexico