As many of you know, I have lived and worked in Puerto Vallarta for over a decade. I have always laughed at the thought going to Mexico could be dangerous. I have experienced nothing but friendly people and peaceful communities the whole time I have lived here. I have traveled and camped without fear all over the states of Jalisco, and Nayarit. I have also been to many ports of call on the mainland and the Baja Peninsula by boat and have felt as safe as any time anywhere in the US.

Unfortunately this may have changed today. There are fires all over the Banderas Bay area and fighting among police, army and drug gangs is going on right now in Downtown PV. A friend can see columns of smoke from his balcony by the beach. They have closed the airport, and I felt an explosion at my house north of Puerto Vallarta.

I'm not telling people to avoid this area at this time, but I felt it appropriate due to all of the times I ridiculed others for expressing concern for safety in Mexico. It isn't often I have to eat crow, but I do feel I currently have a big crow pie cooking in the oven.

This is happening live now, and maybe will not be as big a problem as it seems right now. I hope to someday be able to in good conscience to be able to recommend tourists come to this part of the country without any fear or bias. As for now, I can not honestly say it is a safe place to be.

Most of the bass fishing is done far north of here, and I haven't heard any reports about increased violence in that area. I won't comment on that area without more knowledge. I hope all is well at Baccarac, El Salto and etc, and anglers with trips booked there will be able to go forward with their plans and catch a new PB.

I'm in no danger at my house, and as long as I stay off the streets for a couple days I don't expect to be in any danger. My biggest worry is the owner of the boat I am captain of is here vacationing, and he may decide to move the boat north leaving me with difficult decisions on where my family and I will live and work.

I am hoping everything settles down and life goes back to normal, not only for me and family, but for all of the fine people that live and work here.

I do have to apologize for making comments over the years about the safety in Mexico. I now realize that just because I live here and have had zero difficulties, that does not make me the ultimate authority on all matters relating to the safety in Mexico. In my defence I will say any comments in the past have been made from honest first hand experiences, but after today's events I wish I had been a little less optimistic when giving advice that can affect someone's safety.

I will keep bass anglers updated here, because one thing is for sure, the bass here are big, hungry, and not going anywhere.

Stay safe and hopefully things don’t progress any further.

I'm safe but this is getting worse. All the roads in and out of town are closed. Fires are everywhere. Costco is on fire. A friend of mine borrowed a boat to get his wife and kids out of another marina. They were trapped there due to closed roads, and the only way to get them home was by boat. He sent me a video he took while on the water. It has a good view of the whole bay. Smoke is everywhere, the whole bay looks like a war zone. I don't foresee life ever being the same in this beautiful part of Mexico.

I looked up what was going on and what started it. Not a good situation that’s for sure.

Dang. How did this all start? A fire?

From what I have heard, they arrested the head of on of the Cartels. The fires are in retaliation to the arrest. Most of the fires are cars and buses. The fires at Costco are of cars in the parking lot not Costco, but more are getting set. My wife just told me they took over the airport in Guadalajara. Which is the biggest city in Jalisco. This is big. Life in Mexico will never be the same. Who know what is next. Revolution, occupation, or any number off possibilities, but I do not see life going on as in the past. I hope I am wrong and things will get back to normal, but this will escalate long before it gets better.

1 minute ago, king fisher said:

From what I have heard, they arrested the head of on of the Cartels

I read they killed him

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/el-bajio/whats-happening-in-guadalajara-puerto-vallarta/

You are correct. They killed him.

This is only getting worse. The whole area is in lock down. They are even closing the beach at some hotels.

I recently had lymph nodes taken from my armpit due to stage three Melanoma. I have a drain tube coming out of my side that empties in to a container that is supposed to be removed on Monday. Problem is I live in Nayarit, and will not be allowed to cross the bridge to Jalisco in who knows how long. I may not be able to get to the doctors office for a week or more. I hope this is a one day thing, but I don't see all going back to normal for awhile. At least my family and I are safe at home with plenty of food and water.

Two days ago I was complaining about how my cancer was making it impossible to catch the big pre spawn bass at my favorite lake. I was upset for the second year in a row, I would have to wait until May to fish for bass. Now that seems like such a trivial concern. ( If it is possible to consider DD bass trivial). I have a far different perspective now.

Prayers to you & your family @king fisher .

Oh, King, I am so sad to read of your plight and your area's suffering. Please keep us posted. I'm thinking a good thought for all of you.

No doubt that's very unnerving for you. A friend of mine lives there as well, and they're further away from the violence. Nonetheless, they're hunkering down at least for the next several days.

Stay safe Amigo!

Dang. Be safe sir!!

Keep your head down. Praying for you, your family and all the other innocent people caught up in this.

I believe that you and all of the good people you’ve met in the past decade have the ability to bring peace back to your home! Prayers for you and your family!

Be safe out there, prayers out to yall!

Oh wow, this is really serious. Sending good wishes your way @king fisher

Your post brings back memories of 9/11.

Stay safe.

Stay safe

Life is getting back to normal here. Roads are starting to open and it was a quite night. Most of the fires were cars parked at intersections set on fire to disrupt the ability of the military and police to respond to the situation. Costco was not burned only cars and trucks in the parking lot. Many photos were taken where it appeared the smoke was coming from the building itself, but looked at a different angle the building was not in danger.

It is looking like things may get back to normal, but I can't and wont make any predictions at this point. My boss had customers coming down on Wednesday to go fishing for a week, and we are trying to find out if the airport will be open and if it will be wise for them to continue with their plans. I won't be able to get to my doctor today, but am hopeful I will be able to go tomorrow and get the drain tube in my side removed. I'm going to go to the marina this morning and check on the boat this morning. My deckhand has to drive an hour from a town north of hear, so I'm not sure if he is going to be able to make it to work today or not.

My family and I are safe, and I am encouraged by the latest news. I hope this was a one off event and life here will be back to normal soon. Only time will tell if the tourist keep coming or not.

Thanks for the update, King. I hope the good news keeps coming and I hope you can get to your doctor tomorrow.

Hopefully it will only get better from here. Stay safe.

This is a shame. Mexico has a talented and hard-working population. Solid people. The USA and Mexico need to get serious about the Cartels and work together to get rid of all of them once and for all.

Here is an update on the situation in Puerto Vallarta. Life is basically back to normal. Roads, stores, and restaurants are all open. People are busy going about life as usual.

What is not back to normal, is what I was most concerned about. People are seeing the pictures on the News in other countries, and are starting to cancel vacations here. We were planning two black to back week long trips starting this Wednesday, and they have been cancelled. I doubt I will be doing much more than a couple short trips for the next few months. My boss is vacationing here for a few more weeks and willing to go, but his friends and business associates are all fearful of coming to Mexico.

I will survive because I get paid to maintain the boat year around, and will only lose out on tip money and free tuna. My crew may experience difficult times. Not only will they miss out on the money they would have received from our my trips, but my deck hands also work on other charter boats, that may experience the same down turn in bookings. My chef may not only loose work on boats, but also work at hotels, that he depends on for him and his family.

I believe the danger has at this point has been highly exaggerated, but what I believe makes zero difference. My family, friends, and people I work with are physically safe, but future economic safety remains a big question mark.

The bright side is I may get more time to go bass fishing, but I'm not rigging my rods just yet.

I'm glad you'll still have some income, but tips and tuna are a big loss. I'm sad for your crew.

Fishing more for bass sounds like you're making lemonade out of lemons.

When it comes to fear, perception trumps reality.

When I worked with children of a reservation, one person warned me, "A white woman shouldn't go out there without an escort."

Well, that guy was right. It was a little dangerous. I always feared that the kids would tip me when they came running out to hug me.