COMMERCIAL FISHING SEINERS SEEN WORKING LOCAL WATERS

Feb. 10, 2005, Andrew Pickerel, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Fishing Report:

I went to Puerto Vallarta for 3 days of fishing last Thursday. On Friday the 4th I left Puerto Vallarta at 5:30 a.m. on the fishing boat Yolaray, a fast well equipped 34-foot Atlantic, and headed to the Tuna Grounds known as El Banco.

Unfortunately when we arrived, 2 seiners were working illegally inside the 50 mile limit. Despite the pressure, I was able to make a day out of it. I ended up the fishing with 3 tuna up to 80 pounds, and a 20 pound dorado (mahi-mahi).

In the afternoon fishing the unusual 20-30 knot winds straight out of the east made coming home a bit exciting to say the least.

It actually got worse the last 2 days and we had to scratch both days. Coming back that first day we saw another seiner working Roca Corbetena which is less than 20 miles from the Punta de Mita point. It sure would be nice if Pesca started enforcing their own fishing regulations. If they aren't careful their cash cow of Tourism could get affected.

(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.