WINTER OFFSHORE FISHING WATER TEMPERATURES WARM TO 81.4 DEGREES

Jan. 1, 2005, Capt. Josh Temple, Prime Time Adventures, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Fishing Report:

They're still biting! Puerto Vallarta fishing water temperatures have jumped a bit to 81.4 degrees, and although the water has fluctuated between deep blue and blue-green, the bite of giant yellowfin tuna is still going strong. Puerto Vallarta winds have been variable from the southwest through northeast at an average speed of 8 knots. Skies have remained partially cloudy and the ambient temperature dropped a bit around Christmas to 80 but is up in the mid-80s again today.

Flying fish have shown up in huge numbers at Puerto Vallarta, and the tuna are eating them at will. Giants up to 300-pound class are erupting outside the bay, and as long as you know where to find them the fishing has been spectacular.

Angler Robert Jones from San Diego scored a 280 pounder after several equipment failures almost cost him the fish. A brand new Shimano TLD 50 LRS blew in half during the fight on the reel's first fish while a new custom Calstar 130# stick blew a gimbal and ripped off the first roller guide closest to the reel. Despite the problems with the new equipment Robert managed to successfully land the giant in just over an hour. Robert also released an estimated 450-pound black marlin, and caught another 150 pound tuna.

Gerardo Troncoso from San Diego scored a personal best with his giant tuna of 220 pounds while his friends Burt and Baltazar landed wahoo and tuna up to 165 pounds.

With the coming and going of the full moon, I was beginning to wonder if the Puerto Vallarta fishing bite would taper off, but actually it seems to have just gotten stronger!

Dorado (mahi-mahi), sailfish, and wahoo are around in abundant numbers right now and Puerto Vallarta anglers fishing closer to the bay have enjoyed great days on all three species. Offshore action right now is all about giant tuna and marlin and just yesterday we had an estimated grander black marlin come up and annihilate the left flat bait. The size of the marlin was unbelievable. In retrospect it's probably a good thing the 16/0 Mustad circle hook didn't get him...SCARY BIG...!

(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.