Fishing in Cabo San Lucas

Perched at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas is a premier sportfishing destination famed for its dramatic seascapes, luxury resorts, and fast access to deep offshore waters. This former fishing village has grown into a global hotspot for anglers, offering an unbeatable mix of Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez environments. The warm currents of the East Cape blend with cooler Pacific upwellings, drawing in abundant baitfish and a spectacular range of predators. With a mild, sunny climate most of the year, and a harbor full of top-tier charter vessels, Cabo is the kind of place where both first-timers and seasoned anglers can find their dream fishing trip.

Cabo's fishing terrain is uniquely productive due to its proximity to deepwater canyons and mixing currents. Just a couple of miles from the marina, the sea floor plunges to depths of over 1,000 feet, creating ideal conditions for offshore gamefish. The famed Gordo Banks, 22 miles to the northeast, are underwater seamounts rising from the deep, rich with bait and known for producing marlin, tuna, and dorado. The Finger Bank and Golden Gate Bank, further west, are hotspots for seasonal striped marlin action, often drawing multiple hook-ups per day during peak months. Inshore, anglers can explore rocky headlands, sand beaches, and submerged reefs where species like roosterfish, jack crevalle, and snapper roam. These nearshore zones, found within just a few minutes of the port, are ideal for half-day trips and produce reliable action with light tackle. The waters of the Sea of Cortez, to the east of Cabo, are typically calmer and warmer, while the Pacific side can be a bit rougher but highly productive, especially in cooler months.

Cabo is world-famous for its billfish. Blue, black, and striped marlin are common targets, with the area often hosting international tournaments focused on these spectacular predators. Sailfish and swordfish are also seasonal visitors. Yellowfin tuna—sometimes exceeding 200 pounds—are a regular offshore target, especially from summer through late fall. Dorado (mahi-mahi), wahoo, and skipjack tuna round out the offshore pelagic scene. Inshore, anglers can target roosterfish—arguably Cabo’s most iconic light-tackle challenge—as well as sierra mackerel, jack crevalle, red snapper, and cabrilla. From April through November, the species diversity and size are at their peak.

Offshore charters in Cabo primarily employ trolling with lures or live bait to entice billfish and tuna. Skirted lures and ballyhoo are standard, with captains frequently switching between teasers, live bait, and artificial presentations based on water conditions and target species. Kite fishing and slow-trolling live bait are also effective for larger tuna. For reef and bottom species, anglers use vertical jigging, dropper-loop rigs, and baited hooks near seamounts and ledges. Inshore, light spinning gear, live sardinas, and poppers are the weapons of choice for roosterfish and jacks. Fly fishing is increasingly popular, particularly for sight-fishing along sandy shorelines.