Mayhem down in Puerto Vallarta - Part 2 - Offshore
After coming off a hellaciously awesome inshore adventure with Capt. Lora , we deviate focus to the deep blue Pacific waters off Puerto Vallarta . Thanks to Capt. Herk and Sue , they were happy to offer their services and take us out on the 'Frantic Pace ' for some Tuna action. Come pre-sunrise, the boat was at the dock to collect the crew and begin the voyage. We traveled out several miles and finally came across a small island rising barely out of the Pacific. Historically, their have been some of the largest Yellowfin Tuna ever caught on rod and reel taken from these waters. We started off trying for live bait but things were slow.
Below: Uprising like such can be a goldmine for various Pelagics ...
We duked it out for a while and our bait attempts were not as successful as initially hoped, thus we decided to move futher offshore. Even trolling was on the rather slow side but JT and Herk had a back-up plan. We traveled a couple more hours and wound up far offshore. Eventually we see the small island chaing of Cleofas and Maria in the distance. Maybe, just maybe we will find the fish.
Below: Feeding Dolphin are a good sign of present Tuna
We get into a pod of Dolphin and begin to get baits out. Fish are blowing up around us and Tuna go airborne. It is a good sign but we have not hooked into anything just yet. The Spinner Dolphins and Tuna work as a team and coral bait to feed iwithin the chaos. If you time things just right before the bait completely disappears, then you have a good chance and nailing some quality Tuna.
Below: Josh gets ready for some PV Tuna Action ... (photo by Mark Dupp )
It is not long and we start to get into the fish. Pelagic Pro Team's David Trafton hooks up first. Without a doubt its a Tuna ... Game on! Everyone's excitement level is on the rise and Capt. Herk does his job staying on the fish while Dave quickly gets his Tuna in. The Yellowfin, while not a giant, is a decent fish and giving Dave a quick solid fight.
Below: Trafton hooked up on the first Yellowfin Tuna of the trip...
As Trafton gets the Tuna closer to the boat, Ludovico gets suited up and ready for aquatic entry. Tony hops in and trys to be one within the schooling Tuna that are surrounding the boat. However the water clarity while moderately clear, is not the pristine clarity we would have hope to seen. Nonetheless, Tony is in his element and is having a blast doing what he does best. He is completely focused and on a relentless mission. With due patience and perserverance, things are bound to pay off for both Tony and the crew.
Below: Pelagic Pro Team's Tony Ludovico is about to enter his realm...
Trafton soon gets his Tuna to the boat, while Tony is out 'playing'. Ben and Ron are prepping baits for the next attempt at the Tuna. We get Tony back in the boat and then wait on Trafton put the final touches on his mini battle with the Tuna. The Yellowfin and Dolphing are moving and following the scattering bait source, we need to act fast so not to lose sight of the immediate action...
Below: Dave Trafton is concluding the fight with the first Tuna of the trip... (photo by Mark Dupp )
Below: Ron and David pose with the first Yellowfin Tuna of the day.
We take care of business with the first Tuna while Ben and Herk keep a keen eye on the action and relocate us to the feeding zone. After a few minutes of intermission and repositioning, we are set to get back in the action. Immediately both Ron and Oz get a double hook-up. Things are looking pretttty good for the guys right about now. The seas are laying down, the sun is out, and on top of the incredible conditions, the fish are HERE! Doesn't get much better than that.
Below: Ron and Oz do a twin battle of Yellowfin Tuna ... (photo by Mark Dupp )
It is not long and both Ron and Oz get their fish in relatively quick. With Ben at the gaff and Herk at the Helm, great teamwork is making things flow safe and smooth for the crew. After the next few minutes both Tuna are in the boat and we are all smiles. But we are not about to quit... we are just getting started.
Below: Ben executes a perfect gaff shot on a Yellowfin Tuna ... (photo by Mark Dupp )
Once again, after both fish hit the deck, Herk is on the prowl to keep in proximity of the feeding Tuna . They would disappear then reappear without notice. It is just how the Tuna game works. Tuna are supreme feeding machines. They are hydrodynamic missles with one purpose in life... to eat and get bigger. They are some of the worlds most efficient marine hunters and have to support their high metabolism. Tuna are always on the hunt for food so when the do quickly vanish, it is important to keep a look out for reappearing surface action.
Below: Capt. Herk at the helm of the 'Frantic Pace '... (photo by Mark Dupp )
We get back on the fish and Berky thinks it would be funny to hook Oz up on another Tuna, this time with a little 'lighter' tackle. Nonetheless, Oz isn't going to turn down a chance at putting a hurting on some Tuna... or vice versa. It is a fun and interesting battle with 20lb mono. After a few minutes and a chance for the guys to clean up the deck, this fish inches closer and closer to the boat. Tony once again hops in the water and gets back to 'work'.
Below: Oz hooked up on another Yellowfin Tuna... (photo by Mark Dupp )
Below: Another Yellowfin Tuna hangs just below the surface... (photo by Mark Dupp )
With Ludovico in the water, he is able to snap several pictures up close of the circling Tuna. Tony is a master at underwater photography and whether you know it not, you have more than likely seen his work before either in print or on film. Teaming up with Pelagic , they have created the Ocean Conservancy Project which is a vast collection of incredible material that is presented and designed to help educate and promote responsible sportfishing/harvesting along with admiring the raw beauty of these marine creatures in their natural element.
Below: Ludovico captures another incredible underwater image of a Yellowfin Tuna... (Photo by Tony Ludovico )
Below: Tony with a transom shot of a Yellowfin Tuna and the Frantic Pace ... (Photo by Tony Ludovico )
The boat had become a Tuna Slaying machine. Capt. Herk was rewarding his boys with some killer Ahi action. In true fashion, we always give it hell to the very last minute. Grinding it out under the hot PV sun had indeed rewarded us with several nice average quality Yellowfin. While no brutes, we were very happy with the results thus far. There is still more fishing to do so the crew gets back on track for one last attempt. The feeding Tuna have all but evaded us and we were left clueless as to which direction to continue in. The mid-day's heat had pushed the fish down deeper but eyes were peeled for any surface action. Ben was able to spot birds in a far off distance and since it was the only thing we had to go on, we traveled a couple miles hoping that the activity would resume when we arrived. Fortunately the quick travel paid off and Tuna were once again feeding. We get a couple of quick baits out immediately and within seconds Ron hooks up on a solid fish.
Below: Ron gets hooked into the largest Tuna of the trip as Ben watches on...
This is proving to be a larger fish, easily in the triple digits . The Tuna had sucked down a live bait and was not ready to give up without a fight. Ron works it to the grind and battles the fish testing the limits of the tackle at hand. All the while hoping that we would get this fish in. We quetioned the hookset, leader, line, and integrity of the hook itself all praying for things to work out on our side. Once again, the fishing gods had looked down upon its seafaring warriors and granted them one final wish for the PV Tuna trip . Several minutes pass and we finally get color. Without word, Tony is already back in the water doing his thing.
Below: Tony in the water hoping for some last minute underwater shots for the trip... (photo by Mark Dupp )
After a well fought battle, we have the fish subdued at the stern of the boat. This was the one we were looking for. A solid Yellowfin Tuna , and while not going to break any records, it was certainly a brute that we were happy to accept. We get the Tuna door open and slide the fish in. BAMN! What a quality fish Herk was able to put us on!
Below: Pure goodness as the large Tuna is finally on the deck...
Below: Ron quickly poses with his Beast for the trip, courtesy the Frantic Pace ...
After the high-fives, we begin the process of cleaning up and heading back to the marina. This trip has had a great amount of diversified action both inshore and offshore. The crew together is a well performing team in which went hand and hand with the incredible journey. You couldn't have asked for a better group of guys to get together and take part in the passion they all share. Capt. Herk had come through and guided us to PV's Promised Tuna Lands and was able to put us on a mess of fish. No matter how many Tuna one catches in their lifetime, each additional fish undoutbedly presents a pulse raising experience for the angler. This offshore adventure was just another one in the books for its talented crew from all over North America.
Below: Oz is all smiles from this great PV adventure... (photo by Mark Dupp )
Puerto Vallarta offers a great deal of options for anglers of all interest. Roosterfish run rampart throughout the year and inshore Pargo are a blast of their own. At times PV will hold some of the largest Yellowfin Tuna on the planet, you just have to be there at the right place at the right time and have a little bit of luck backing you. Marlin continue to come in during the summer and most Pelagic species can be caught. Overall this Pacific coast of Mexio is oasis of sorts and will continue to be a top destination for sportfishermen alike.
Below: The 'Frantic Pace ' back at the fuel dock...
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