Fly Fishing

finsupnorth · Posted: Mon 11/10/08 11:18 pm Post subject: Puerto Vallarta Roosters & Jacks?

I'm headed back down to Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita the first week of January. Has anyone ever fly fished from the beach in this area for Jacks & Roosters? I've never brought my fly rod, but am planning on bringing the 10 wt. this year. I would like to fish on my own. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! also, what flies should I bring?

tight lines,
Eric

joey · Location: Colorado

Eric,

Have never fished from the beach down there but have sailed along the coast down there in Nov. From what I can recall the water is pretty deep right off the beach, I saw sail fish breach not far from the coast and we also caught some mahi mahi off the boat I was on, with a hand line.....old school. If the beach thing doesn't work out for you I would look into getting a boat for a day and exploring off the beach. I bet you'll find something to eat your fly. Good luck let us know how you make out.

kear30 · Posted: Tue 01/13/09 12:52 pm Post subject:

Eric,

How was beach/wade fly fishing in Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita?

I'm headed to PV next week. Though thinking of the fishing villages west of boca de tomatlan. Does anyone have wade experiences there?

I've read about good surf fishing along punta de mita, but older posts.

Thanks,
-Kevin

72Twenty · Location: Wyoming

Thought I would resurrect this thread...

I just found out that I am heading down there in January, 2011 for a week with some family. I am looking into some boat-for-a-day options through internet searches, but I too am interested in options on my own and from the beach. Will probably be bringing an 8wt or possibly a 10wt (if I buy one between now and then)

Any new info?

Cool

kory_k · Location: New York, NY

I haven't done this specifically in that area, but have in other areas of mexico, costa rica etc. For the most part it is a matter of finding the fish and finding somewhere where you can access the water that isn't dangerous (cliffs, rocks etc can be good spots but can be dangerous). If you can find a point or jetty or anything that gets you a little further out, that can help but isn't always necessary. It is fairly common for fish to run very close to the beach pushing bait into the waves. Seeing them is the difficult part as they are fairly camouflaged and they move fast and the water can be all churned up. Low light periods are typically very good times since the fish will be less spooky like early morning and evening. One of the problems a lot of times is that the beaches can be crowded with people during the day so even if the fish are around, people swimming, boating, jet skiing etc can quickly shut it down. If you can find an estuary or any type of change in structure, try focusing on those areas. Jacks are a lot more likely to be found close to shore and tend to be very aggressive and less picky about flies. Roosterfish definitely go close to shore when necessary, but are far more selective and wary. They typically are a lot easier to catch out of a boat and tend to push bait against rocks and cliffs. If you just blind cast a clouser or other baitfish pattern around structure and in the surf, you have a pretty good chance at catching something. If you actually spot fish, you have a much better chance. Good luck and hope that this helps!

72Twenty · Location: Wyoming

I did see on a Google search that there are blue water boats that allow you to cast a fly rod once a marlin is spotted... I then went back and watched the Flies & Fins video "Marlin on the Fly" on YouTube.

Looks like a little more than an 8wt can handle! Laughing

kory_k · Location: New York, NY

An 8 weight is not really an option for Marlin. Typically for marlin a 12 weight is minimum size required and frequently 13 and 14 weights are used. Marlin and sailfish are fairly equipment intensive requiring heavy rods, reels and very specific fly setups. Not to say you can't simplify it, but truthfully it is very specialized fly fishing. A ten weight is a great inshore sized rod for jacks, roosters etc from the beach or boat. Although even with these species, a 10 is still kind of undergunned when the fish get north of 30-40 lbs. If you just want to catch fish, go out in a boat and go inshore fishing and tell them you don't care what you catch including jacks. Most people don't want to do this and are there for sailfish, marlin etc, but in my opinion inshore fishing for these fish or whatever you can catch is a lot more fun than trolling teasers around all day. If you get some chum and get em all fired up you could have some killer action. You could have a mixed bag of species including jacks, roosters, snapper, tuna etc. For any of this, you would be best off with a 10 weight.

Ajax · Posted: Mon 03/22/10 7:17 pm Post subject:

Call James Shaunghnessy @ 5412450898 for some fine & up to date fly fishing the Baja. Tell him Capt. AJ from South Carolina sent you for the 'down & dirty' info.

Bjorn · Location: Sierra Foothills

I've been going down to PV for the past few years for family vacations, getting a little fishing in only when my pre-schooler naps. I've just been fishing off the beach at the river mouth and have had luck with the Jacks, but not with Roosters. My understanding is that they are further north. The water clarity is pretty limited.

There are some guides that are starting to work these waters. I've seen one boat a couple times with fly anglers, but I don't know what they are after... probably Jacks. There are some Dorado, skip jacks, Spanish Mackerel, etc.

I was just there last week. Fishing was a little slower, but I picked up a few fish and even saw one Jack that had to be pushing 20 pounds.

72Twenty · Location: Wyoming

So, do I need to purchase a particular type of fishing license when I am there, or can I just go out and fish from my resort area?

Bjorn · Location: Sierra Foothills

You can just go to fish from the shore. I have heard you need a license to fish from a boat, but from the shore, anyone can fish.

72Twenty · Location: Wyoming

Thanks Bjorn! I will most likely be packing only an 8wt and possibly a 6wt that I have for smaller fish. I don't currently own anything bigger than an 8wt, but I may be able to borrow one for the trip (my trip is still a ways away). Maybe a 10wt or a 12wt from my dad or a friend.

Bjorn · Location: Sierra Foothills

You bet. I think the 8 is a great choice, the 6... well... last winter I caught a Jack just under 13 pounds... it broke the reel I had on my 7 wt. (a cheap Cabela's LA I got with a gift cert). Even a small Jack will put a good bend in your rod. From the beach, I'd say go with the 8, borrow a bigger rod if you plan on grabbing a guide... 9-10 would probably do the trick for the Dorado, I'd think.

As for lines, I mostly use a clear int. sink, but from a boat, I'd think you'd want something that sinks a whole heck of a lot faster.

Flies... surf candy/clousers in #2 to #1/0 works for the Jacks. Usually on a fast retrieve, although this last trip the retrieve was slowwww. Out in the surf it is a little tougher... so, look to the river mouth or other structure.

I'm just starting to figure this place out and have a lot to learn yet, but I've had some really good fishing there over the years.

72Twenty · Location: Wyoming

man... I am getting excited for this trip! I almost forgot that I am also going to Belize in July!

Me = stoked!

Cool

goin2themountains · Posted: Wed 03/24/10 11:27 pm Post subject:

I didn't get a chance to fish from the shore while in PV last January, but saw plenty of boats fishing not 30 yards from shore. Even offshore was slow while I was there. Picked up a 40 inch yellowtail from the boat, but that was it. Keep us posted. I am really curious. My youngest and I are going to Cabo for roosterfish in June and was really not thinking about more than a 9wt so interested in how you do with an 8.