Finally heading back south !

[AARON ROGERS]

Okay guys, I need a little insight. After being busy with life for the past 3 yrs, I am dusting the ole passport off in January and heading to Puerta Vallarta. It will just be my lovely bride to be and myself and I want to fish at least one day. Looking for some recommendations from any personal experience,Thanks in advance !

[briz06]

My Wife and I just got back from there for our Honeymoon, I was also there back in 2005. Also recently just bought a timeshare down there. The Charterboat business down there is much much different down there, then up here. Its Outright cuthroat. From my 2 experiences down there in Chartering a boat, they are not owner operated. Which to me makes a huge difference in the quality of service you get. In 2005 I went out with Mr Marlin. It was late may and we had an Amazing day, we we're into football sized YF all day, between the 3 of us we boated over 50 of em. In June on my honeymoon I sought out the Mr Marlin office again, was told by another charter business that Mr Marlin was out of Business and his 3 Boats we're owned by someone else. I booked a Charter with Mike's Charters, and the day was not so great. They had a 36' Luhrs that they advertised as a luury boat, however the boat had a top speed of 18knots, no fish finder, they did have an inflateable life boat though, which I guess was supposed to give me a warm fuzzy feeling. It took us 3 hours to get out to the Banco and other than 1 Mahi we trolled a Lifeless ocean for 6+ hours. There is absolutely no radio chatter between them and other charters, which really struck me as odd. Either that or the captain had no friends. We managed to pick up 6 Pacific Jack Caravelle's on the way in. To Top things off, I found out that Mr. Marlin was not out of Business when I was having a drink with one of their Mates at a bar inside the marina.

The Best advice I can give on Puerto Vallarta is to Show up 2 days before a planned trip, and scout the boats as they come in, because they will always tell you the fishing is Amazing. Also, If your asked, say you already booked with someone else, They will ask how much you paid, and will cut a few hundred dollars off that price.

Hope that Helps some.

[BPENDLEY]

take a look at MY KIND OF MADNESS FORUM on here and get a hold of Josh Temple. He can set you up.

[DH171]

Go with any of these guys, they are the top boats down there in no particular order:

Smaller Panga Boats:

Lora at: http://www.fortunasportfishing.com/Site/welcome.html

Chuy Gorillas at:
http://monsteryellowfin.com/home.php

Danny Gomez at:
Dhamar Charters @
DHAMAR SPORTFISHING
Capt. Danny Gomez
011 52 322 103 5688 (cell)
011 52 329 295 5397 (home)
Email: danny@dhamarsportfishing.com
http://www.dhamarsportfishing.com
27 foot Super Panga

Bigger Boats:

The Marla Fleet (The Osuna Brothers)
http://www.marlasportfishing.com/

Manny Ocaranza at:
http://www.elmatadorsportfishing.com/

Juan Moll at:
http://www.sportfishing.com.mx/index.php

Can't go wrong with any of these guys!!!!!

[Capt Josh]

January is historically an excellent time for both tuna and marlin. For the past three years running we've seen some of the best tuna fishing all year in January with #'s of fish to 150, and by numbers i mean at least a dozen per day for the good boats.

While last year sucked for marlin all season long, January is usually very good for black and blue marlin, and sometimes very good for striped marlin too. We've caught some of our largest black marlin in January, though we have not had what i would consider a "decent" marlin bite in January for over two years. Who knows though, this could be the year they come back in droves.

Inshore fishing is usually awesome for roosterfish at that time of year, and there is nobody better than Capt Lora out of Punta de Mita for inshore action.

All of the companies that are listed above are very good, and produce fish consistently. Depending on your budget, you can narrow down that list. Ben is running a 35 Cabo this season and I would seriously consider booking him as he's one of the most well rounded and traveled capts in the area.

If you'd like any further info feel free to shoot me an email, i'm always happy to help.

Good luck, and catchemup!