200-POUND CLASS TUNA ARE CAUGHT IN FISHING WATER AT 80.5 DEGREES

Dec. 24, 2004, Capt. Josh Temple, Prime Time Adventures, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Fishing Report:

Puerto Vallarta sea water temperatures fell a bit to 80.5 degrees, but the giant yellowfin tuna bite has continued to be RED HOT. Lucky anglers, the Williamson family, visiting from Williams Lake, B.C., enjoyed the kind of giant tuna fishing Puerto Vallarta is known for.

Jason Williamson struck first with a 240 pound Puerto Vallarta tuna that he bested in under an hour, while his dad Daryl struck back with a 250-pound giant that he RELEASED. Welcome to the 200-pounder club, guys, and way to go on the release of a giant. Not many people out there can claim that!

Michelle Williamson couldn't just stand around and watch, so she strapped into the harness and absolutely tramped a 175 pound Puerto Vallarta tuna in less than half an hour, with over 40 pounds of drag. Congratulations on your first tuna, Michelle!

Big black marlin continue to compete with the giant tuna for baits in the Puerto Vallarta fishing area, and the Williamsons released a big black in the 500-pound class after a dramatic bite just meters off the transom. The big black DETONATED on the short live bait and everyone was diving out of the way as the fish skyrocketed past the gunnel a few short feet away...pretty exciting stuff.

Dorado, sailfish, and schoolie tuna from 60 to 150 pounds are everywhere around Puerto Vallarta right now as the water continues to push from the south with a beautiful cerulean blue color.

Offshore bait continues to be flying fish, skipjack, and squid, and stomach contents have revealed a few triggerfish schooling offshore. Although we haven't seen them, the fish obviously have.

Puerto Vallarta winds have varied from northwest to southeast at 5 to 15 knots, and the skies have been mostly overcast which is always great for fishing and fighting giants.

(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.