FOUR GOOD OFFSHORE DAYS OF SPORTFISHING ON THE CHARTER BOAT YOLARAY

Aug. 26, 2005, Drew Pickerel, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Fishing Trip Report:

I'm happy to report a successful Puerto Vallarta fishing trip on the Yolaray with Captain Manny.

We fished out of Puerto Vallarta on Monday the 23rd through Wednesday the 25th.

Day 1 fishing was a wash as the remnants of passing Hurricane Hilary produced winds to 18 knots and increasing swells, so we headed in early.

Day 2 fishing was much better, with ideal laid down conditions near Roca Corbetena. Bait and bird schools were plentiful, fishing water was a clear blue 85 degrees, and around 11 a.m. we started to see breaking Giant Tuna 2 miles south of the rock.

After landing several tuna to 70 pounds on a slow-trolled shotgunned caballito, I got bit while flylining a skipjack on the drift.

Knowing I had the fish hooked with an 11/0 custom J hook made by Capt Roddy Hays, I pulled really hard and landed the fish in just under 30 minutes. It is my personal best at 224 pounds.

I landed a second fish of 190 pounds later that afternoon, this time on the caballito with a 5/0 Hayabusa circle. It was a much tougher fish and even tore the webbing on my harness.

Day 3 of fishing out of Puerto Vallarta was another great day, in same area fished. After making bait, Tony the mate was setting the spread to troll the skipjacks and got nailed as he was letting out the second bait.

After quickly shaking the sleep out of my system, I jumped in the borrowed harness and reeled in the first of 3 big tuna for the day, 7 altogether. The 3 were between 140 and 185 pounds. I am still sore from the trip, but what a great time it was!

Capt. Manny and mates Tony and Carlos were great as usual.

As a side note, when leaving Puerto Vallarta bay before gray light, it is a virtual minefield out there. Muchos debris from all the early evening rains that are washing logs, junk, etc., from the rivers into the sea.

(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.