TUNA PLENTIFUL BUT FEEDING ON ABUNDANCE OF BAIT FISH

Jan. 8, 2005, Capt. Josh Temple, Prime Time Adventures, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Fishing Report:

Puerto Vallarta fishing water temperatures jumped a bit and climbed over the 82-degree mark, thanks to a current change which brought even bluer water and more bait to our fishing area. Typically, when waters warm, turn blue, and fill up with bait the fishing goes off, and this week was no exception in Puerto Vallarta waters.

Yellowfin tuna from 60 to 300 pounds are taking advantage of the abundance of bait by gorging themselves off and on all through the day. Late mornings and afternoons have offered spectacular fishing for yellowfin on live baits with a good mix of dorado (mahi-mahi), sailfish, wahoo, and marlin mixed in.

These Puerto Vallarta yellowfin tuna, however, although they are in a veritable feeding frenzy, are still picky and anything but the right fishing presentation on the right tackle will fall short of earning a bite. It's hard to believe that fish in that state of excitement can detect the slightest differences between a hooked and non-hooked live bait, but they can. In order to be consistent at hooking fish you must be diligent about your presentation. If you're not getting bit, keep changing presentations until you find the right combination. It's frustrating but when you figure out the right combo for that day the rewards are worth the extra work. Don't just drive away saying, "ahhh...they don't want to eat today."

Fishing this week at Puerto Vallarta, anglers Eddy and Marc caught tuna of 130 and 185 pounds respectively, on live bait during a great sunset bite on January 5th.

Robert Jones caught a 284 pound giant yellowfin tuna on January 2 after an epic tackle-busting battle of over 1.5 hours. Robert also caught a 150-pound yellowfin tuna and released an estimated 450 to 500-pound black marlin.

(See "Mexico Fishing News" online for current fishing reports, photos, weather, and water temperatures from Puerto Vallarta and other major Mexican sportfishing areas. Vacation travel articles, fishing maps and seasonal calendars, and fishing related information for Puerto Vallarta may be found at Mexfish.com's main Puerto Vallarta page.