Puerto Vallarta Early Summer: Prime Time for Roosters, Jacks, and Offshore Dorado

This is Artificial Lure with your Puerto Vallarta fishing report. Out on the bay this morning we’ve got classic early-summer conditions: light breeze, calm seas, and warm, humid air pushing into the upper 80s by afternoon with a heat index over 90. Local marine forecasts are calling for mostly clear skies, a few midday clouds, and only a slight chance of a passing shower. Winds should stay gentle out of the west–southwest, building a bit in the afternoon but very manageable for small boats. Tides around Puerto Vallarta today are running a moderate swing. Local tide tables for the Bahía de Banderas show a higher water level through the early morning, dropping toward a mid‑day low, then filling back in late afternoon into the evening. That incoming afternoon tide has been the trigger all week, especially around structure and current edges. Sunrise is right around 6 a.m. over the mountains and sunset close to 8:30 p.m., which gives a long fishing window. The best bite has been in the gray light of dawn and again in the last two hours before dark, when the heat backs off and the bait comes higher in the water. Inshore, the water is nice and warm and pretty clean, with just enough color to keep the predators comfortable. Roosterfish, jack crevalle, and some snook have been patrolling the beaches and river mouths. Along Playa Flamingos and down by Boca de Tomatlán, boats are reporting steady action on medium jacks with a few quality roosters mixed in. Live sardina and mullet are money right now. If you’re throwing artificials, stick to surface and sub‑surface: white or bone poppers, pencil plugs, and 4–5 inch soft plastics on a jig head, especially in pearl, green‑back, or blue‑back patterns. Work them fast and erratic when you see birds and nervous bait. At the river mouths like the Ameca and Cuale, there have been snook and pargo for the guys willing to get up early or fish into dark. A big live mullet, pinfish, or a fresh-cut chunk on a simple sliding sinker rig is hard to beat. Don’t be afraid to bump up your leader; these fish are strong and the structure is nasty. Offshore, the blue water is pushing closer. Boats working the edge of the bay and out toward El Morro and Corbeteña have started seeing more dorado, skipjack, and some school‑size yellowfin tuna. Reports from the last few days mention dorado in the 10–20 pound range and football tuna chewing on the temperature breaks. Trolled small to medium skirted lures in darker colors early—black/purple or petrolero—and brighter greens and yellows as the sun gets higher have been producing. Cedar plugs and small feathers are still classics for the tuna. If you can make live bait—sardina, green jacks, or small bonitas—fly‑line them on lighter fluorocarbon for more bites in this clear water. For those staying closer to town, two solid hotspots right now: – Los Arcos: That cluster of rocks just south of town is holding good mixed action—snapper, jacks, and the occasional rooster sliding by. Fish the current edges and drop-offs with live bait or 2–4 ounce jigs in blue/silver or pink. – The Ameca River mouth and Nuevo Vallarta beaches: Great for roosters and jacks cruising the surf line. Cast big topwater plugs, spoons, or live sardina just outside the breakers, especially on that incoming afternoon tide. Overall fish activity is strong for early summer. The bait is here, water temps are right, and the fish are acting like they know the rainy season is coming. Get out early, hydrate, and give yourself time to fish both tide swings if you can. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss the next report. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn