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Hooking Up Anglers Since 2011.
July in Puerto Vallarta marks the explosive heart of offshore fishing season! The warm Pacific waters are teeming with giants, making this prime time for anglers seeking unforgettable battles. Whether you’re targeting massive billfish or hard-fighting inshore species, PV fishing delivers world-class action. Water temperatures typically range from 82°F to 85°F (28°C to 30°C), creating perfect conditions for pelagic predators.
Blue Marlin & Black Marlin: The undisputed stars of July! Blue marlin fishing is exceptional, with consistent shots at fish ranging from 300 to 600+ pounds. The El Banco and Corbeteña areas are legendary hotspots. Black marlin are also present, often found closer to the high spots. Trolling large lures (like Ilander heads with skirts) and rigged baits (bonito, skipjack) is the go-to method. Expect multiple bites per trip on good days – it’s prime billfish territory!
Dorado (Mahi-Mahi): Explosive action! Dorado are abundant and aggressive. Look for floating debris, weed lines, or frigate birds diving – these are surefire signs. They readily hit fast-trolled lures (feathers, cedar plugs, small jets) and pitch-baited ballyhoo or squid. Expect acrobatic jumps and fast runs. Great eating and perfect for families or anglers wanting non-stop action.
Yellowfin Tuna: While the massive cows are more common earlier, quality yellowfin tuna (20-80 lbs) are still readily found offshore, especially near the high spots and temperature breaks. Look for bird activity and working porpoise. Live bait (skippies, caballitos) under the kite or slow-trolled is deadly. Poppers and stickbaits can also trigger explosive surface strikes near structure. Great for charters targeting variety.
Inshore & Nearshore Gems: Don’t overlook the action closer to shore!
Roosterfish: July offers prime roosterfish fishing along rocky points and sandy beaches. Sight-casting live bait (mullet, green jacks) or large poppers/jigs near structure is thrilling. Expect powerful, bulldogging runs.
Snapper & Grouper: The reefs and rocky bottoms hold excellent numbers of snapper (red, yellowtail, dogtooth) and grouper. Bottom fishing with cut bait or jigs near the Marietas Islands or Los Arcos is productive. Provides great table fare.
Jack Crevalle: Aggressive and powerful, jacks provide incredible light-tackle sport. Look for them busting bait near river mouths, rocky shorelines, or around structure. Casting poppers or jigs is exhilarating.
Weather & Tactics:
July is hot and humid. Expect afternoon thunderstorms, especially towards the end of the month. Plan your fishing trips for the early morning (5 AM – 12 PM is prime) to maximize comfort and avoid potential squalls.
Offshore trips (8-10 hours) target the high spots (El Banco, Corbeteña) and temperature breaks. This is where the big billfish and tuna live.
Inshore/Nearshore trips (4-6 hours) focus on the bay, Marietas Islands, Los Arcos, and coastal points for roosterfish, snapper, dorado, and jacks.
Live bait is king, especially for billfish and tuna. Ensure your charter has a good bait well and knows how to catch it.
Book Your Puerto Vallarta Fishing Charter Now! July is peak season, and the best boats book up fast. Booking your Puerto Vallarta fishing charter well in advance is crucial. Reputable operations offer well-maintained boats, experienced captains and mates, top-notch tackle, and know the productive hotspots.
The Catch: The PV fishing scene strongly encourages catch and release for billfish (marlin, sailfish) to ensure future generations can enjoy these magnificent fish. Species like dorado, tuna, snapper, and smal… [6:36 PM, 7/3/2025] Capt. Pete: Puerto Vallarta Fishing Report: July 2025 Heat Brings Epic Inshore & Offshore Action! ¡Hola Anglers! Captain Pete here, fresh off another incredible week on the stunning waters of Banderas Bay and the wider Pacific playground we call home. The post-July 4th energy hasn’t faded; it’s translated into some truly outstanding fishing action throughout Puerto Vallarta this July 2025. Whether you’re drawn to the adrenaline-pumping battles inshore or the blue-water giants offshore, the bite is ON! Our 38+ years navigating these waters confirm this is prime time, and the stars of the show are the yellowtail, skipjack tuna, roosterfish, snapper, and mahi-mahi – your top five targets for an unforgettable adventure.
Inshore Explosion: Bays & Points Deliver Non-Stop Action
For those seeking fast-paced fishing without venturing far, Puerto Vallarta’s inshore scene is absolutely blazing. Key locations are proving exceptionally productive:
Nuevo Vallarta & Bucerias: Consistent action for snapper (primarily colorful Red Snapper and feisty Yellowtail Snapper) holding near structure and rocky outcrops.
Palo Verde & Middle Bay: Hotspots for aggressive schools of skipjack tuna and acrobatic mahi-mahi. These fish are actively feeding, often creating surface frenzies visible from the boat.
Los Arcos: A perennial favorite, offering excellent opportunities for yellowtail (jack crevalle) and larger snapper species lurking around the dramatic rock formations.
Our standard 6-hour inshore trips are yielding fantastic results, often limiting out. Even shorter 4-hour bay excursions are proving incredibly rewarding, especially when encountering schools of skipjack tuna or smaller pods of mahi-mahi. The sheer abundance means near non-stop action when you find them. The inshore roosterfish bite is also gaining momentum, with larger specimens starting to show consistently along the sandy points and near river mouths – get ready for that legendary bulldog run!
Winning Inshore Tactics: Matching the Hatch
Success inshore hinges on technique. Here’s what’s working best:
Rapalas & Jigs (Irresistible Combos): This pairing remains devastatingly effective. Casting deep-diving Rapalas along rocky shores or working vertical jigs over submerged structure frequently results in multiple hookups simultaneously – think doubles or even triples on yellowtail or snapper! It’s a fantastic way to fill the cooler quickly.
Sight Casting (Pure Adrenaline): July’s clear, calm mornings are perfect for sight casting. Roosterfish cruising the surf line, mahi-mahi finning near flotsam, or yellowtail busting bait on the surface are prime targets. Keep polarized glasses on and your favorite casting rig ready! We provide top-notch gear if needed, but bring your own if you love the feel.
Cut Bait (The Buoy Magnet): Don’t underestimate the power of fresh cut bait, especially around buoys or floating debris. Mahi-mahi are particularly susceptible, often biting aggressively until the bait is gone, creating fast and furious action.
Live Bait (The Summer Standard): Our absolute go-to, especially with plentiful goggle-eye (green jacks) available. A lively goggle-eye pitched near structure is candy for big roosterfish, snapper, and inshore yellowtail. When the sardine schools show (and they are starting to), a couple of scoops turn the water alive, perfect for live baiting everything from skipjack tuna to prowling roosterfish.
Offshore Odyssey: Blue Water Giants Await
Venture beyond the bay, and Puerto Vallarta’s legendary offshore fishery is hitting its July stride. Water temps are ideal, ranging 78-84°F, concentrating massive pelagic predators.
Marlin & Sailfish: The billfish action is fantastic! Striped marlin are numerous, and Pacific sailfish (truly the fastest fish in the ocean!) are providing spectacular aerial displays. Corbetena and El Banco are the current epicenters.
Tuna Trio: While skipjack tuna are abundant inshore, offshore holds the promise of larger yellowfin tuna and football-sized blackfin tuna. Finding bait balls (bird activity is key!) is the secret sauce here.
Mahi-Mahi Mayhem: Offshore mahi-mahi fishing is consistently good. Look for floating objects or weed lines – they hold dorado magnets. Their vibrant colors and acrobatic jumps are a highlight.
Roosterfish Royalty: Don’t forget the mighty offshore “Gallos”! While inshore holds smaller fish, the pinnacles and high spots offshore like El Morro and Corbetena are where the true monsters – potential IGFA contenders – patrol.
Conquering the Blue Water: Offshore Essentials
Bait is King: Offshore success revolves entirely around finding bait. Massive schools of sardines, flying fish, or squid attract the tunas, sailfish, and marlin. Spotting frigate birds diving is often the first clue. “Find the bait, find the fish” is the golden rule.
Time on Water: Maximize your chances by booking 8 to 12-hour offshore trips. This gives you the range to reach the prime grounds (Punta Mita, Marietas Islands, El Morro, Corbetena Rock, El Banco) and ample time to work productive areas.
Top Tactics: Live bait (goggle-eye, skipjack chunks) reigns supreme offshore, especially for marlin and sailfish. Trolling natural baits (ballyhoo, mullet) or large lures (Black Barts remain a client favorite!) is highly effective for covering water and enticing strikes from tuna, dorado, and marlin. Don’t be afraid to switch to pitch-baiting when billfish are spotted tailing.
Prime Real Estate: Corbetena (“The Rock”) and El Banco are world-renowned for a reason – expect big fish and action-packed days here. Punta Mita and the Marietas Islands offer stunning scenery and excellent chances for multiple species closer to home.
July 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most memorable fishing months in recent Puerto Vallarta history. The yellowtail are voracious, the skipjack tuna are abundant, the roosterfish are showing inshore and off, the snapper are biting reliably on structure, and the mahi-mahi are putting on their dazzling show everywhere. Combine this with fantastic billfish action offshore, and you have the recipe for an angling dream trip.
Fishful Thinking Tip: Stay hydrated and protected! The July sun is intense. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and plenty of water. Trust your captain’s decades of experience – we know these waters intimately.
We’ve been pioneering fishing adventures here for over 38 years, offering the best deep sea fishing prices in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, without compromising on quality, safety, or the sheer thrill of the chase. We guarantee friendly, expert crews and well-maintained boats ready to put you on the fish. Check out our latest YouTube channel for real-time action shots – the proof is in the footage!
So, what are you waiting for? The spectacular waters of Puerto Vallarta are calling. As we like to say: “While money can’t buy happiness, it can buy a fishing adventure with us in Puerto Vallarta, and that’s pretty darn close!”
Tight lines and screaming drags,
https://www.travelvallarta.com
Capt. Pete and crew
This Fishing Report was submitted on 7/18/2025 12:00:00 AM by Capt. Pete and last updated on 7/18/2025 10:40:54 AM.
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