Best Times & Seasons to Catch Fish in Manzanillo

Manzanillo offers some of the best fishing experiences. Knowing the best times and seasons to fish helps anglers increase fish catches during their trips. 

The best times to fish Manzanillo are from January to March and from October to December for blue marlin, bonito, mahi-mahi, pompano, red snapper, roosterfish, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo.  

This region is a popular nearshore and deep-sea sport fishing destination for tarpon, roosterfish, tuna, and billfish.

Best Time to Fish in Manzanillo

Fishing in Manzanillo is different at different times of the year. The destination has a tropical climate. It’s too hot in the region throughout the year. Heat has a negative impact on fish and anglers. Fishing in the region is less productive during the summer months. It’s not comfortable to fish when the weather is hot.    

The best time to fish in Manzanillo is from January to March and from October to December. Water cools down and many fish species get active in the region.

Species Breakdown: Best Times & Seasons

Blue Marlin

Blue marlin fishing in Manzanillo is best from May to September. Blue marlin is active during the evening hours. Blue marlin can be found in the waters near Puerto Vallarta.

Striped Marlin

Striped marlin fishing season in Manzanillo is high in January – February and in September – December. It would be better to fish for striped marlin in the morning. Cabo San Lucas is one of the best places to target striped marlin. 

Bonito

The best time of the year to fish for bonito in Manzanillo is from April to September. Bonito usually bites well at the first light in the morning. Cabo San Lucas is the right place to go fishing for bonito.    

Mahi-Mahi

Mahi-mahi fishing in Manzanillo is excellent from January to February and from May to December. It’s possible to catch mahi-mahi early in the morning or late in the evening. Colima is a great place to fish for mahi-mahi. 

Pompano

The pompano fishing season starts in March and ends in October. Pompano feeds actively in the afternoon. Anglers successfully fish for pompano on the Oaxacan Coast. 

Red Snapper

Red snapper fishing in Manzanillo is best from April to September. Red snapper feeds actively at dawn and at dusk. Red snapper can be found in the waters near Cuyutlan. 

Roosterfish

Roosterfish is active in Manzanillo waters from May to August. Roosterfish bite well during morning and evening hours. It makes sense to target roosterfish in the waters near Puerto Vallarta.   

Sailfish

Sailfish bite well in Manzanillo year-round. Sailfish feed actively early in the morning. Colima is the perfect place to target sailfish. 

Yellowfin Tuna

The best season to catch yellowfin tuna in Manzanillo is from September to December. Yellowfin tuna can be caught all day long. Yellowfin tuna is one of the top targeted species in Costa Careyes.   

Wahoo

Wahoo is active in Manzanillo waters throughout the year. However, the best months to catch wahoo in the region are January and September – December. Anglers can go fishing for wahoo near Costa Careyes.  

Recommended Fishing Charters in Barra De Navidad

These charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Lori III Sportfishing	Manzanillo, Mexico
Mako Sportfishing And Tours – Mako III	Manzanillo, Mexico
Teaser Fishing Charters	Manzanillo, Mexico
Chimbo’s Adventures	Manzanillo, Mexico
Manzanillo Luckiest Fishing	Manzanillo, Mexico
Te Qui La ll Sportfishing	Barra De Navidad, Mexico

I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.

Best Time of Day to Fish

Manzanillo is a region with a tropical climate. The weather in the area is warm year-round. It’s very hot in the middle of the day. That’s why fishing during the afternoon can be hard. Fishing in the morning, evening, or at night allows anglers to avoid the summer heat. 

It would be better to go fishing in the morning when the water cools down and fish begin to feed actively during these morning hours. However, some anglers may find it difficult to wake up early in the morning. If you are not an early riser, then go fishing during the evening hours.     

Manzanillo Fishing & Tidal Impacts

Fishing in the region is more productive during the rising and falling tides. Fish get active when water movements occur. A rising tide is the best tide to fish in Manzanillo. 

When a tide is rising, oxygen-rich waters are brought to the flooded areas. As a result, the activity of fish increases. Fish get active and start searching for food. When a tide is falling, anglers get easy access to deeper areas.     

Storms & Manzanillo Fishing

The hurricane season in Manzanillo starts in June and ends in October. Storms and rainstorms can be expected in the region at this time of the year. Fishing during storms is dangerous.

That’s why fishing trips are canceled if storms are expected in the area. If this happens, anglers either get a refund or a fishing trip is rescheduled.

Is Winter Fishing Bad or Good in Manzanillo?

The weather is getting colder and better fishing conditions are created in Manzanillo during the winter months. Many species are active in the local waters and anglers find it comfortable to fish in winter.

It’s possible to catch black marlin, striped marlin, jack crevalle, mahi-mahi, red snapper, roosterfish, sailfish, snook, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo in Manzanillo waters during the wintertime.    

Night Fishing in Manzanillo

Anglers can target sailfish and red snapper during the nighttime. These fish species are active during night hours. On top of that, anglers can catch many fish species that bite well at dawn and at dusk.        

Best Seasons to Book a Fishing Charter

Manzanillo is the destination where fishing is possible all year long. There’s always something biting here.

Spring

Reefs in Manzanillo waters attract a lot of fish in Manzanillo during the spring warming months. Fishing for grouper and snapper is hot on reefs. In spring, fishing in Manzanillo is very productive.

Spring is the time of the year when anglers can target blue marlin, sailfish, snapper, tuna, and other fish species.  

Summer

The weather is hot in Manzanillo in summer. That’s why fishing in Manzanillo is less productive during the summer months. In summer, anglers prefer to head offshore.

It’s possible to catch blue marlin, mahi-mahi, sailfish, roosterfish, and other fish species during the summertime.     

Fall

The weather is getting colder and fishing in Manzanillo is getting better in the fall. Anglers can fish on the reefs or go fishing in offshore waters.

The main targets in the fall include mahi-mahi, jack crevalle, striped marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo. 

Winter

Winter fishing is great in Manzanillo. Tuna fishing is incredible in the early winter. In winter, anglers can go fishing in inshore and offshore waters.

Among fish species that anglers can target during the winter months are black marlin, striped marlin, sailfish, wahoo, and other species.  

Top 5 Fishing Spots near Manzanillo

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is a popular fishing destination. Here, anglers can go fishing in the Sea of Cortez or go fishing in offshore waters. Fishing in the region is best from May to July.

Anglers can also enjoy fishing in nearshore waters. The area is well-known for its abundant fish species. Cabo San Lucas is home to such fish species as blue marlin, striped marlin, mahi-mahi, roosterfish, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo.  

Costa Careyes

Costa Careyes impresses with its natural beauty and beaches. The region has the most spectacular coastal areas and offers breathtaking views. The destination has gained huge popularity among travelers and anglers.

Costa Careyes is the perfect place for recreational fishing. Fishing in Costa Careyes is best in January – February and in August – December. Here, anglers can target marlin, tuna, wahoo, and other species. 

Colima

Colima is located near Manzanillo. It’s possible to fish in the area’s inshore, nearshore, and offshore waters. Fishing in Colima is great all year long. The top fish species that anglers can catch in the local waters are blue marlin, mahi-mahi, and sailfish.    

Cuyutlan

Cuyutlan is a beach resort. It’s the perfect place for anglers, who prefer to fish from the beach. Fishing in Cuyutlan is the most productive during the spring, fall, and winter months. Anglers can catch amberjack, grouper, snapper, mahi-mahi, marlin, sailfish, tuna, and other species in the local waters.    

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is the destination where anglers can fish in nearshore, inshore, and offshore waters. Fall is the best time of the year to fish in the region. Among the fish species that anglers can target in the waters near Puerto Vallarta are amberjack, black marlin, blue marlin, jack crevalle, grouper, snapper, mahi-mahi, mackerel, roosterfish, sailfish, tuna, and wahoo.

Shore/Surf Fishing: Best Times & Seasons

Manzanillo is a good place to enjoy surf fishing. It would be best to fish from shore in the region during the spring and fall months.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Barra De Navidad, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Puerto Moreles, check out this guide.