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Jesse's Hunting > Fishing Articles > Articles > Following the Birds in Puerto Vallarta - Part II
Following the Birds in Puerto Vallarta - Part II
Dave Blake - JHO ProStaff
- Southern California
July 24, 2005
The third week in June found me in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico on vacation with my wife for our 10th anniversary. I would have been very lax in my responsibilities as a JHO Pro Staff member had I not gone fishing at least twice. The lucky thing is that Liz agreed with me.
The seat of honor...
belongs to intrepid JHO ProStaffer Dave Blake as he chases the birds in Puerto Vallarta. |
Part one of this story found me in a boat with Capt. Marcellino Perez fishing fairly close to shore and catching jack crevalle, snapper, skipjack and bonita. We caught quite a few fish, but the big one had eluded us.
It was at the end of this trip that I met Capt. Daniel Gomez of the Dhamar. Capt. Perez had dropped me off at the marina at La Cruz de Huanacaxtle close to where I was staying and where Capt. Gomez happened to be getting his boat cleaned up.
As any good charter boat captain would do, Capt. Gomez gave me his card and said, “We are serious about our fishing.”
This statement was backed up by the fact that his boat, the Dhamar, was spotless and equipped with the latest Shimano equipment.
He also pointed out a picture of one of his clients standing next to a 300 pound yellowfin tuna which had been caught the week before on his boat.
A couple of days later I called Capt. Gomez and booked a trip for Saturday, June 24th at 7:00am sharp.
After a meeting Capt. Gomez and his deck hand Pio Avalos at the dock we headed out to a spot called Corvetenas Rock. Little did I know, Corvetenas Rock is about 22 miles offshore.
On the trip out I saw groups of small manta rays sunning at the surface. As the boat passed they would slide away showing a flash of white belly as they turned. At one point a large manta breached in front of the boat. I knew that manta rays would breach, but didn't expect to see it real time. What an amazing sight.
As we got closer to our destination the mantas got bigger including a couple that would have taped out at 12 feet from wing tip to wing tip. These animals are incredible and you should take the chance to see them if you get it. The wildlife is as fun to watch as the fish are to catch.
Upon our arrival, the first task was to catch bait. Luckily, there was no shortage. Once again the birds were a dead giveaway to the presence of baitfish. The sardines were many and the birds were feasting, as were the skipjack. We took out the light gear with spoons and started casting for skipjack.
It wasn't long before we had one on. I reeled it in and Capt. Gomez transferred the fish from my line to the heavy gear and dropped it behind the boat to troll for yellowfin tuna. We also had smaller fish out on the other heavy rig, and seemed to be ready for the big one.
Using a 3 pound fish for bait is not a common experience for me. I was anxious to tie into a fish that would consider that a snack.
Strikes pulled the live bait rigs from the outriggers several times, but for a while we were not able to get any hookups until a nice Amberjack hit. I took my place in the fighting chair and the game was on. After a few minutes of tugging back and forth the Amberjack was boated and put in the fish chest. It was about a 10-pounder and would make for good eating later.
Since we had about a 2.5 hour trip back to the dock we pulled in the live bait and started fast trolling lures back toward shore. The weather had been quite windy causing about a 6-foot swell that my stomach didn’t like. I was tired and sitting on the cooler in front catching a few winks when all hell broke loose on the boat.
Capt. Gomez and Pio ran to the front grabbing for a rod and bait. I was startled and blinking when Capt. Gomez asked if I had seen the sailfish just off the starboard side. I looked that way and saw the top of a very large tail cutting through the water. This was truly unexpected and I sat there awestruck by the sight. It was the biggest fish I had ever seen in the wild.
Capt. Gomez didn't ask if I wanted to make the cast. The boat was rocking like a rock crawler on the Rincon Trail and I knew that I would probably blow the cast. Capt. Gomez, however, put the bait right in front of the fish and let him take it. I knew we were in business when he set the hook not once, but about 20 times. We were hooked up!
Nice sail!
Blake shows off his prize, a hefty sailfish to make this visit south of the border the trip of a lifetime! |
Reel down and pull, reel down and pull. My back was tight, my hands were sore, and finally the fish was next to the boat. About the time I said I was expecting another run that's exactly what happened. The fish took off again. I couldn't fight too hard because he was hooked with 40 pound test.
This went on for 30 minutes until the fish came alongside for the final time. One last pull brought the bill within Pio's reach and we had the fish in the boat. This was what I came for.
We packed up all of the lines and headed for the dock. The 8.5 foot fish was stretched out beside me the whole way in. I could not believe how big it was.
We arrived at the dock and settled every thing up... the fee, the tips, the pictures and the fish cleaning. Most of the meat went to Capt. Gomez and Pio for their families, but I was able to bring home some huge steaks, two of which have already been cooked on the smoker.
I know that this was a trip of a lifetime, but I am planning on going back again and again and again.
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