Puerto Vallarta Fishing Report - July 2024
The best fishing news kicked off just after July 4th here in Puerto Vallarta, where we celebrated not only big festivities, but also big catches. Let’s dive into the hot inshore action this month. We’ve seen an abundance of yellowtail, skipjack tuna, roosterfish, snapper, and mahi-mahi.
Inshore Fishing Hotspots 
Key locations such as Nuevo Vallarta, Palo Verde, Bucerias, Los Arcos, and the middle of the bay have been exceptionally productive. Most inshore trips, usually lasting around 6 hours, have yielded excellent results. Even shorter bay trips have resulted in good numbers of mahi-mahi and skipjack tuna, with frequent schooling in the bay leading to nonstop action.
Best Inshore Fishing Methods
- Rapala and Small Jigs: This combination has proven incredibly effective, sometimes landing three or four fish at once, quickly filling the boat.
- Sight Casting: Successful throughout the week and likely to remain so all summer. Bring your favorite casting rig or use one of ours for an exciting fishing experience.
- Cut Bait: Highly effective around buoys, especially for mahi-mahi. These fish continue biting until the fresh-cut bait runs out, making for fast-paced fishing.
- Live Bait: Our go-to method, especially using goggle-eye during the summer months. This bait works wonders both inshore and offshore, attracting marlin, tuna, mahi-mahi, sailfish, and yellowtail. When sardines are present, a couple of scoops in the water bring up various pelagic fish for live baiting.
When all else fails, trolling with natural baits and lures works well, particularly offshore. Black Bart lures are a favorite among our repeat clients.
Offshore Fishing in Puerto Vallarta 
Deep sea fishing in Puerto Vallarta is excellent in July, with local fishermen targeting roosterfish (locally known as Gallos). Offshore water temperatures, ranging from 78 to 84 degrees, are perfect for marlin, mahi-mahi, tuna, and sailfish, the fastest fish in the Pacific Ocean. These pelagic species are often found around thermoclines and crystal-clear waters offshore.
- Bait Movement: Critical for catching tuna and sailfish. Finding the bait usually means finding the fish.
- Trip Duration: 8 to 12-hour trips are ideal for maximizing your chances of hooking that dream catch.
- Hotspots: Punta Mita, Marieta Islands, El Morro, Corbetena, and El Banco are among the top places globally for big fish and enjoyable fishing days.
Join us for a spectacular day of fishing in Puerto Vallarta, where the friendliest people in the world live and play. Remember, while money can’t buy happiness, it can buy a fishing adventure with us, and that’s almost the same thing.
Fishful Thinking
https://www.travelvallarta.com
Capt. Pete and crew