Print Page | Close Window

Popping Tunas in Puerto Vallarta

Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Popper and Topwater Fishing
Forum Description: If you're into a bit of action on top, this is the forum for you
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=68219
Printed Date: 06 Jun 2026 at 5:49am


Topic: Popping Tunas in Puerto Vallarta
Posted By: TOSF
Subject: Popping Tunas in Puerto Vallarta
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 11:26am
It is our first season here in Puerto Vallarta and we feel so lucky to be here. The season is just starting to get underway here for us in PV and the Tunas are starting to show up in good numbers, we have just done two days throwing poppers / Stick baits at Yellow Fin and the action has been unreal. First day we fought a fish for over 3 hours had it the boat 3 times but just out of gaff shot only to break an old rod at boat side an loose a 125-150kg fish, truly gut wrenching and a fish of a life time on a popper. Next day out same sort of action and finished the day with 4 fish and the biggest going 50kegs.
Thanks to my Mate Josh W for driving and letting me come down out of the tower a hook a couple of fish, he drove perfectly on some nice fish, the end game can be tough with short leaders and nice Y'fin, he will make a good Captain one day once he stops running over turtles.
If anyone ever gets a chance to come here, take it, it is an amazing place and the fishing is off the chart, big tuna busting the surface, aerials, and unbelievable surface runs and hook ups, all fish are sight cast and hooked up. Marlin fishing will hot up over the next few weeks but it is going to be hard to pull our selves away from the boiling tunas.
enjoy the shots






Hard to concentrate hooking a fish when an even bigger one is crashing under the bow.







-------------
http://www.facebook.com/TonyOrtonSportFishingOffshoreAdventures
www.offshoreadventures.net
http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">



Replies:
Posted By: YeeHaa
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 11:40am
awesome pictures

-------------

WWW.YEEHAA.CO.NZ
(09)5705058
30 Jellicoe Road Panmure


Posted By: Falco
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 11:44am
CoolClapThumbs UpCoolClapThumbs UpCoolClapThumbs UpCoolClapThumbs UpCoolClapThumbs Up

-------------
as dead as dead is


Posted By: Legacy
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 12:23pm
just had to google Puerto Vallarta, looks like a choice place for a holiday , when does the tuna season run from and to ?


Posted By: Catchelot
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 12:25pm
Wow beaut pics, love itClap

-------------
"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." - Jacques Cousteau


Posted By: marx
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 12:34pm
Sick! Clap

-------------
Science for the mind and Art for the soul.


Posted By: Gruntled
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 12:41pm
WOW, need to go there too.

-------------
I might have Alzheimer's, but at least I don't have Alzheimer's.


Posted By: 13ft Fisho
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 12:43pm
AWESOME!!! Clap


Posted By: Titahi
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 12:51pm
Beautiful photos and action!
 
So how did the turtles taste?
 
 Umm endangered turtle tortillas, with cold Corona's........
 
Actually he's more likely to dissect it and perform an autopsy


-------------
"I love standing by the ocean and just knowing what its for"


Posted By: Kezza
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 12:52pm
Primo....on ya Josh! Bet ur glad you decided to get the big tin bird the hell outta here....

-------------
http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">


Posted By: daveo
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 1:02pm
Jelous much!

-------------
http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">


Posted By: TOSF
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 1:05pm
Tuna season starts June/July and runs right to the end of the year. Fish are here all year round and the inshore fishery for Rooster sounds very good Nov to March. Lots of charter boats from small Pungas to 40-50 footers. August sounds like a really good month for Marlins and big tunas.

-------------
http://www.facebook.com/TonyOrtonSportFishingOffshoreAdventures
www.offshoreadventures.net
http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">


Posted By: TOSF
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 1:08pm
Sadly we did not eat the "turtle's", it was more like turtle soup, I was a little disappointed with Josh as he split the shell, it would have made a great helmet or fruit bowl, next time he needs to line them up better.

-------------
http://www.facebook.com/TonyOrtonSportFishingOffshoreAdventures
www.offshoreadventures.net
http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">


Posted By: Double Shot
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 1:18pm
Aesome looking action, wow a shame we don't get it like that here in NZ...Thumbs Up

-------------
70ml of 90deg C water pressurised through 13g of roasted finely ground tamped coffee for 25sec's to make a distinguishing sensory hit called a Double Shot    


Posted By: JoshW
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 1:40pm
Sure am Kezz.

Titahi: If turtles are endangered I'd hate to see it what it would be like if they weren't...you just about need to plow on bow to move them out of the way as it is.

Been some pretty insane action, tuna feeding on the surface most of the day but often by the time you get near them it's over and they have popped up back where you were. It's not easy, might spend 3hrs on the bow waiting for a shot at some fish in casting range, that will last 30secs if your lucky.



Posted By: Structfab
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 1:43pm
mean! those tuna are dwarfed by the size of that damn boat, or should I say shipLOL


Posted By: Fish Pimp
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 1:57pm
Saaaweeeettt  trip very envious maybe next year Thumbs Up Well done Josh Kiwi's Rule big ups...Thumbs UpThumbs UpThumbs Up


Posted By: Seth
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 2:07pm
Originally posted by Titahi Titahi wrote:

Beautiful photos and action!
 
So how did the turtles taste?
 
 Umm endangered turtle tortillas, with cold Corona's........
 
Actually he's more likely to dissect it and perform an autopsy
 
Turtule meat its kinda strange to be honest but like most strange meat taste almost like chicken...  Turtle eggs on the other hand are dam tastie, mean in an omlette Embarrassed
 
BTW, fricken awesome photos dude Clap


Posted By: kaveman
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 3:30pm
Love your work Tony/JoshThumbs Up
You fishing out of the new big Viking? post a few pics of it and give the boys here a chubbyLOL
(Steve showed me some photos of it when he was over earlier in the yearWink) Wicked ship!!


-------------
www.kavemantackle.co.nz


Posted By: harry mike
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 3:40pm
you should try stickbaits with those monstersWink


Posted By: TOSF
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 3:45pm
Hey Kaveman,
Few shots of the boat, we have issues putting her on a trailer some days!!






-------------
http://www.facebook.com/TonyOrtonSportFishingOffshoreAdventures
www.offshoreadventures.net
http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">


Posted By: Capt Asparagus
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 3:45pm
Wow. Just.... wow.


Posted By: swordfishsteve
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2011 at 7:15am
Hi Tony, Swordfishsteve here, been a while since we last chatted, seams you have the Best job in the World, good on ya, awesome tuna shots, we had similar at the Chesterfields last winter on a seamount but Not a Big as your Yellowfin, fantastic action up close!!, Best regards SteveSmile

-------------
REEL REPAIR GUY - Swordfishsteve, That Is Who I Am and That is What I Do : See More At :www.reelrepairguy.co.nz


Posted By: mozz
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2011 at 7:56am
PV has to be one of the fishiest places in the world when it's on. Having the chance to hook a cow tuna, big black or big blue at el banco or corbentania is something else.

If your still in la Cruz go up to tacos in the street if you haven't already. Best tacos in town.

I really loved my time there


Posted By: Mahiman
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2011 at 1:28pm
Wicked Tony well done.....


Posted By: ReelAppealLures
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2011 at 1:35pm
What a awesome part of the world... Great pic's and top fish! Thumbs Up

-------------
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Appeal-Lures/300309486704362


Posted By: JoshW
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2011 at 5:26pm
Originally posted by mozz mozz wrote:


If your still in la Cruz go up to tacos in the street if you haven't already. Best tacos in town.

I really loved my time there

been there about 50 times already Mozz!


Posted By: Boulder
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2011 at 5:44pm
would it be skiteing to say I have booked my tickets there straight after I get off my red rooster tripAnd I will have some stickbaits etc with me


-------------
http://www.boulderguiding.co.nz">

http://www.boulderguiding.co.nz">www.boulderguiding.co.nz



Posted By: JoshW
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2011 at 6:24pm
When are you in PV boulder?? I'm in kona right now, but back in PV on monday


Posted By: Boulder
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2011 at 11:36pm
first week of November mate

-------------
http://www.boulderguiding.co.nz">

http://www.boulderguiding.co.nz">www.boulderguiding.co.nz



Posted By: Moocha
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2011 at 10:11am
Originally posted by Boulder Boulder wrote:

would it be skiteing to say I have booked my tickets there straight after I get off my red rooster tripAnd I will have some stickbaits etc with me
 
I would say it would have been rude for you NOT to Koro WinkThumbs Up


Posted By: LBGer
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2011 at 9:43pm
Wish we had that kind of action in NZ......

-------------
A king on the bricks is worth 5 in a boat.


Posted By: Grunta
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2011 at 10:10pm
Awesome  - thanks for those great pics - it's been a while since we've seen numbers of YFT's in Godzone & good to see they're not actually extinct!

-------------
Online...


Posted By: TOSF
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2011 at 12:24am
Steve, Great to hear from you, hope all is well back home.

Mozz, Mate this place rocks, we now getting into the Black Marlins heavy in the last week and a half we have released a 380kg, 140kg and yesterday released a very nice fish around the 300kg at the Rock, unreal. Still getting Tunas on the popper/stick baits each day and nailing a few on the jigs most around the 20-30kg size all good fun. As Josh said we are hammering those tacos, Josh has the record (12) he is starting to put on some weight!!, sent the Boss there last night and he loved it.

Boulder, we have never met but please keep in touch with Josh via email we may be able to hook up in PV and plan something pretty special for you. Keep in touch with Josh.


-------------
http://www.facebook.com/TonyOrtonSportFishingOffshoreAdventures
www.offshoreadventures.net
http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">


Posted By: photog
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2011 at 1:22pm
Great stuff, wouldn't that be nice to have a go at.ClapThumbs UpClap

-------------
If I'm not taking photos I'm fishing. If I'm not fishing I'm taking photos, either way I'm having fun.


Posted By: kaveman
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2011 at 1:35pm
sweet boat alright TonyThumbs Up  keep up the reportsCool

-------------
www.kavemantackle.co.nz


Posted By: Titahi
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2011 at 2:28pm
Hey Mr Large stone, I heard about the video of your previous trip on the rooster, and if you want someone to finish winding in any large Tuna when your buggered, ala last time.....I am ya man!!!LOL

-------------
"I love standing by the ocean and just knowing what its for"


Posted By: Boulder
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2011 at 5:27pm
Originally posted by Titahi Titahi wrote:

Hey Mr Large stone, I heard about the video of your previous trip on the rooster, and if you want someone to finish winding in any large Tuna when your buggered, ala last time.....I am ya man!!!LOL


Tired, not really and not buggered either. You have to do one of those trips to understand that the crew have the absolute right to take your rod away at any time for any reason. Not IGFA at all pure meat hunting.


-------------
http://www.boulderguiding.co.nz">

http://www.boulderguiding.co.nz">www.boulderguiding.co.nz



Posted By: pieboy98
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2011 at 7:29pm
MEAN Beer


Posted By: TOSF
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2011 at 4:02am
Hey Boulder,
PM your dates to me when you will be in PV and your plan. We finish our tournaments in October in Cabo San Lucas then I have to come home at the start of November, but we could put the boat back in PV, Josh can then take you inshore fishing on our skiff for Rooster's and Mahi. There are some good operators with center consoles that will get you into the tunas on Popper/Stickbaits and jigs if thats what you want.
Not sure how many Rods your bringing? but if it was me I would defiantly bring a heavy Popper rod 100-180gram not to long 7'8" to 8' max as if you hook a cow it going to kill ya on a long rod, bring a lighter rod 8ft 50-110gram for stickbaits, I personally use the JM GT Monster 7'8" and the 8', they cover all my options and the 8' (my current all time favorite rod) is so versatile you can use either the Stella 10000 or 5000 and sensitive enough for flicking small stickbaits at the Roosters and still enough backbone to put the breaks on a 40kg tuna, bring a 300grm and a 450grm jig rods as well. There are also some big Snappers here and they take a lot of stopping we went 1 from 5 on them this weekend and the one we got was small and we still had to lock up a Tiagra 80 and drag it off the reef, the 450grm jig rod would be fun for this. Mozz and Josh will give you some good advise on tackle as well if needed.
Photo of a med size snapper in PV we got yesterday, check out the size of the tail on that thing, make a great broom. We nailed anther Black yesterday around 140kg, this place is just getting better and better.



-------------
http://www.facebook.com/TonyOrtonSportFishingOffshoreAdventures
www.offshoreadventures.net
http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">


Posted By: mozz
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2011 at 7:30am
That's some great black fishing Tony, we had them up to 350but there has to be a grander floating around somewhere for you. I know JT on conquistador released one the called a grander in 08 and there have been two more weighed in the 90s. Have you had any gobble all of your baits yet? That always makes for exciting times in the pit.

I was going to set boulder up with Danny Gomez who runs the panga 'dahmar' out of la Cruz or Lora and Largo out of Punta de Mita. If you have any suggestions about other operators it's been 2 years since I lived there so things may have changed.



Posted By: TOSF
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2011 at 10:46am
Hey Mozz, Yeah Danny is the right person for sure, give me a yell if you need his info, he will be able to show Boulder some Kite fishing for the tunas as well for something different.
Yeah that big fella we got the other day came in hard and killed all 3 livies we were lucky he did not turn back onto them hard and start eating them all that makes for a real entertaining time.
I think between Danny and Josh W he will be sorted.
Mozz whats ya plans are you staying home for long?
T


-------------
http://www.facebook.com/TonyOrtonSportFishingOffshoreAdventures
www.offshoreadventures.net
http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">


Posted By: mozz
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2011 at 11:33am
In Samoa fishing at the moment, heading home tomorrow. I've stayed in touch with all my Mexican mates since I left so still got Danny's details.

A few good spots to try if you haven't is yoyo mo's and twisted rose in bucerias

Will fire you an email with my movements mate

Mozz



Print Page | Close Window