Fishing in Puerto Vallarta

Located on Mexico’s Pacific coast in the state of Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta sits along the shimmering curve of Bahía de Banderas, one of the largest natural bays in North America. Framed by the Sierra Madre mountains and facing the vast Pacific Ocean, this vibrant city blends old-world charm with modern resorts and a thriving sportfishing scene. With deep waters close to shore, consistent warm currents, and easy access to both inshore and offshore fisheries, Puerto Vallarta is a year-round destination for anglers of all levels. The mix of tropical climate, rich marine biodiversity, and well-developed tourism infrastructure makes it a prime location for combining relaxation and reel-screaming action. Learn more about fishing in Mexico from our blog.

Puerto Vallarta’s Bahía de Banderas spans over 40 kilometers across and dips to depths of 3,000 feet near its mouth, offering everything from shallow, protected inshore waters to immediate offshore drop-offs. Within the bay, the waters are generally calm, with depths ranging from 20 to 100 feet. These areas provide ideal conditions for light-tackle fishing and are home to jacks, snapper, roosterfish, and mackerel. Points and reefs such as El Morro, Los Arcos, and Piedra Blanca are hotspots for bottom dwellers and reef predators. Venturing just 10 to 15 miles offshore, anglers reach deep sea territory where underwater ridges and thermal lines attract larger pelagics. Spots like El Banco and La Corbeteña—rising from ocean depths to fishable pinnacles—are legendary for big game fishing. These waters often exceed 1,000 feet in depth and are home to massive yellowfin tuna, black and blue marlin, sailfish, and dorado. With deepwater access so close to port, you can be fishing productive bluewater within an hour of leaving the dock.

Puerto Vallarta’s species list reads like a saltwater angler’s dream. Inshore, the bay yields roosterfish, jack crevalle, snook, mackerel, snapper, and needlefish, particularly around rocky outcrops and reef edges. Offshore, the stars of the show are yellowfin tuna, blue and black marlin, sailfish, and mahi-mahi (dorado). Sailfish are particularly abundant from November to May, while yellowfin and marlin heat up during summer and fall. In addition, wahoo, amberjack, and giant cubera snapper show up around the reefs and deep structures.

Offshore fishing in Puerto Vallarta revolves around trolling with skirted lures, live bait, and rigged ballyhoo for pelagics. When targeting yellowfin tuna, many captains use live skipjack or chum-heavy setups to hold the school near the boat. For reef and bottom species, vertical jigging and drop-line techniques work well, especially around El Morro and La Corbeteña. Inshore, light spinning gear with live sardines or soft plastics is standard when chasing roosterfish, snook, or snapper. Fly fishing is possible for roosterfish and jacks, especially from beach-based or panga setups, though it's a more niche experience in this area.