Capt. Pete’s Top 10 Puerto Vallarta Fishing Spots!
Howdy, anglers! It’s Capt. Pete, and I’m here to give you the lowdown on the absolute best spots to drop a line and hook into some world-class fish right here in Puerto Vallarta. Whether you’re looking for a quick family trip in the bay or an all-day offshore battle with a trophy marlin, we’ve got a spot for you.
Here are my top ten places to fish in the Puerto Vallarta area,along with the best prices
1. The Puerto Vallarta Bay Area (Summer & Winter)
This is where it all starts, folks! Our beautiful bay is fantastic year-round.
- Summertime Fishing: When that water hits F, the bay lights up! We get plenty of small game fish—perfect for a four-hour family trip or if you don’t want to spend all day sweating on the water. Keep your eyes peeled; you’ll see manta rays, huge sea turtles, and tons of dolphins on most trips. And when the bait is thick, there’s always a chance for a nice, tasty mahi-mahi or even an early sailfish sliding inside the bay. We’ve hooked them on those shorter trips!
- Wintertime Fishing: Things change up a bit, but the action stays hot! We catch lots of Spanish mackerel and the incredibly delicious California Bonita. The bay also offers incredible snorkeling spots and gorgeous beaches, which is why we offer half-day fishing/snorkeling trips—just ask!
2. El Banco (The Bank) (Year-Round Top-Tier Fishing)
Right at the top of our list for a reason! If you’re looking for the big marlin and big tuna, this is your destination.
- Year-Round Action: This spot, sitting on a fault line with deep canyons, holds fish all year. It’s not uncommon to come away with several big tuna and marlin in a single day.
- Summer Fishing: Time to get the kite out or the helium balloons with those big baits! These are 12-hour-plus trips, but the excitement can’t be beat.
- Winter Fishing: We’re talking Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo, and tons of Dorado action. The Bank is an underwater seamount that goes from thousands of feet up to 40 feet, holding bait and fish year-round. High-speed lures, skipping bait, and huge bass drifting are the tickets here.
3. The Maria Islands (World-Class Fishing)
This isn’t just one of the top spots in Puerto Vallarta; it’s one of the Top 10 places to fish in the world.
- Year-Round Trophy Spot: If you get a chance to do one of our overnight trips out here, don’t hesitate.
- Action: We find huge schools of tuna, schools of Marlin, Sailfish, Mahi-Mahi, and Wahoo. It’s also a great spot for Amberjack and seriously huge Fargo (grouper). This warm current keeps the pelagic fish here year-round. If you’re looking for non-stop action, excitement, and huge fish, this is the trip for you and your friends.
4. El Corbetena (The Rock) (Serious Offshore Fishing)
Located about 35 miles offshore, Corbetena is where we get into the serious, all-day fishing.
- Summertime Fishing: With water temperatures sometimes above F, it’s perfect for a 10-to-12-hour deep-sea trip. This is the spot to load up the tuna tubes with to lb baits and troll them for huge Marlin and huge Tunas. You’ll also still catch some Amberjack out here.
- Wintertime Fishing: We target Wahoo, Striped Marlin, and Mahi-Mahi, along with an abundance of other small game. The dark blue water is usually around F and drops from a few thousand feet up to 40-50 feet, holding bait around the rocks and reef.
5. El Faro (The Lighthouse) (Current-Fed Action)
El Faro is a great 10-hour trip and one of our top five fishing spots. It’s similar to Cabo San Lucas because the current flows from north to south, bringing in all kinds of pelagic fish.
- Summertime Fishing: The warmer water is great for Marlin, Sailfish, Mahi-Mahi, and huge Snappers. When the warm water and a full moon meet, this is where the sailfish always seem to hang out. It’s a great place to catch that trophy fish.
- Wintertime Fishing: We get excellent chances at Striped Marlin, Sailfish, Mahi-Mahi, and Spanish Mackerel. We love to fish here a few days before or after the full moon. As a bonus, we often run over to Yelapa and then troll all the way out, catching fish and seeing some of the most incredible beaches in Mexico.
6. El Morro (Inshore/Offshore Transition)
This rock and reef structure about 25 miles from Puerto Vallarta is a fabulous, year-round fishing destination that makes for an awesome 8-hour trip.
- Summertime Fishing: You’ll see beautiful blue water and F temps, which means excellent Marlin and Sailfish action. When the sardines show up, the Rooster fish are right behind them, feeding around El Morro.
- Wintertime Fishing: When the temps drop to around F, the slightly cooler water is excellent for Striped Marlin, Wahoo, and larger Mahi-Mahi. You’ll also see lots of humpback whales here to breed, along with dolphins and sea turtles.
7. Punta Mita
While not always on the ‘deep offshore’ list, the waters around Punta Mita are a fantastic transition zone, especially for rooster fish close to shore and mahi-mahi a little further out. It’s a solid spot for a six-to eight-hour trip, offering beautiful scenery and steady action, especially when the bait schools are in.
8. Islas Marietas National Park
Though a protected area for the islands themselves, the waters just outside the reserve boundaries are great for catching Jack Crevalle and other small game. It’s also an excellent choice for a combo trip—half fishing, half sightseeing, and snorkeling!
9. Los Arcos Marine Park (Nearshore Fishing & Sightseeing)
Another beautiful spot in the bay! While fishing is generally done just outside the immediate park, this area is a goldmine for small baitfish and, in turn, often holds smaller Bonita and Skipjack Tuna—great fun on light tackle and perfect for those four-hour runs. Plus, you’re almost guaranteed to see dolphins!
10. Cabo Corrientes
The point that defines the southern end of Banderas Bay! The currents here make it a consistent spot for snapper and sometimes larger jack crevalle near the rocks. When the offshore action is hot, the deeper waters just past the cape can hold sailfish as they move in and out of the bay. A great spot for a six to eight-hour journey.
Ready to Go Fishing?
Whether it’s the trophy hunt at El Banco or a fun family trip in the bay, we’ve got the perfect adventure for you. Don’t forget that our winter months (late November to March) also feature the incredible humpback whales, which we often combine with fishing on our cruises.
For the latest conditions, be sure to call me up! I have a toll-free number and can be reached at 800-430-6048.
Click here for more info: vallartafishing@gmail.com
Tight Lines,
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