Puerto Vallarta Fishing Calendar

The Only Puerto Vallarta Fishing Calendar You'll Ever Need

Let's get one thing straight: Puerto Vallarta is not just a beach destination for sipping cocktails and watching the sunset. This place is a world-class fishing ground, and if you're not out on the water at the right time of year targeting the right species, you're leaving the catch of a lifetime on the table.

The Banderas Bay and the surrounding Pacific waters off Puerto Vallarta deliver epic fishing 365 days a year — but knowing which month drops you in front of the right fish is what separates a good trip from an absolutely legendary one. This is the full breakdown, month by month, straight from the Fishing Rebels crew who works these waters every single day.

January & February: Sailfish Are Running the Show

January kicks off the year with Sailfish going absolutely ballistic. We're talking Excellent ratings across the board — these acrobatic, bill-slapping machines are stacked up in the bay and they are hungry. If you've never fought a Sailfish, January in Puerto Vallarta is your baptism by fire.

February keeps the party going with Sailfish still at Excellent, but throws in some serious bonus species: Jack Crevalle (also Excellent) are ripping through baitfish schools like underwater freight trains. Snapper and Grouper are biting too if you want a delicious bottom-fishing session for the dinner table.

March & April: Mahi Mahi and Tuna Enter the Picture

By March, the Dorado (Mahi Mahi) start showing up in good numbers, and Yellowfin Tuna begin their run — both rated Good, which in Puerto Vallarta terms means you're going to get tight lines. The water warms, the flying fish are out, and the Mahi are chasing them hard.

April shifts gears slightly — Dorado dip to Fair while Yellowfin hold steady at Good. But here's the sleeper pick for April: Roosterfish. These prehistoric-looking inshore beasts are Fair but absolutely worth targeting. Fighting a Roosterfish on light tackle is pure chaos, and we mean that in the best possible way.

May: The Full Summer Spread Starts Building

May is a transition month that delivers across the board. Mahi Mahi and Yellowfin Tuna are both holding at Good, Dorado are Fair, and Roosterfish are starting to show up on the inshore reefs with more regularity. The water temperature is climbing, the current is pushing in the right direction, and the offshore action is starting to heat up ahead of the summer billfish madness.

June, July & August: Welcome to Marlin Season — Peak Everything

If you could only pick three months to fish Puerto Vallarta, pick June, July, and August. No debate.

Giant Yellowfin Tuna are running in June alongside the first serious Marlin push. By the time July rolls around, Marlin is at Peak — Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Striped Marlin — all of it. Sailfish are at Excellent. The offshore grounds turn into a billfish convention and you're invited. August keeps the same brutal pace: Marlin still at Peak, Black Marlin showing up in numbers that will make your hands shake, and Sailfish refusing to let up.

This is why serious anglers plan their Puerto Vallarta trips around summer. The summer season is not a coincidence — it's peak season for a reason.

September & October: Dorado Time and Roosterfish Going Off

September brings a different kind of energy. The Marlin season starts winding down and the Mahi Mahi scene picks back up — Good ratings with some serious fish pushing close to shore. Roosterfish are Good in September and trending upward. Dorado are Fair but worth chasing.

October might be the most underrated month in the Puerto Vallarta fishing calendar. Dorado are at Excellent — the best rating of the entire year for this species. Roosterfish are Good. Mahi Mahi are Good. October gives you variety, cooler weather, and big fish without the summer crowds. It's the hidden gem month.

November & December: Billfish Come Back and Mahi Stay Strong

November opens with Marlin at Peak again — the fall billfish run is a legitimate second season for Puerto Vallarta. Mahi Mahi are Fair, Snapper and Grouper are Good (hello, fresh fish tacos), and the water has that crisp blue color that means fish are stacked.

December rounds out the year perfectly. Mahi Mahi are Good, Sailfish are back at Excellent, and Jack Crevalle are Fair. It's not quite the insanity of summer, but December is absolutely no slouch — and fishing on Christmas week in Puerto Vallarta while everyone back home is freezing? That's a flex.

Book the Right Boat for Every Season

The Fishing Rebels fleet is set up to handle any species, any season. Whether you're chasing summer Marlin on a high-performance sportfishing boat, targeting Roosterfish on a lighter rig, or loading the cooler with Dorado in October, we match you to the right vessel for your target and your group size.

Stop guessing. Stop relying on outdated fishing reports. Book your charter at fishingrebels.com and we'll put you on the fish your calendar says are biting right now.