Fishing is what put Cabo San Lucas on the map back in the 1970's. It still ranks number one as the reason given by travelers for why they choose to visit our little corner of paradise here in Baja Sur, Mexico. Here you'll have the chance to fish for world-class marlin, tuna, dorado, wahoo and many other pelagic or resident sport fish in Cabo. If you're an avid angler your skills will be challenged by the sheer variety and number of fish you're likely to encounter in Cabo. There are days where our fishing clients come back to port with limits of tasty table fare including tuna, dorado and wahoo along with some quality reef and structure hugging fish like cubera snapper and grouper. Close in to shore you may run into hungry packs of sierra mackerel and roosterfish. Work your way offshore and billfish are nearly always in the picture. Black marlin, blue marlin, striped marlin and Pacific sailfish all call Cabo home during the course of the year.
But you need not be an experienced fisherman or fisherwoman. We've taught too many newcomers to fishing over the decades and our crews are most happy when they can teach someone new to fishing all about this wonderful pastime. If you're interested in fishing in Los Cabos, we invite you to contact us with any questions you may have or to book a fishing charter aboard Minerva II or Minerva III. We think you'll come away with memories that last a lifetime.
Yes, in fact, everyone aboard the boat will need a valid fishing license, even if they don't plan on fishing. Mexican Sport Fishing Regulations require all passengers on a fishing charter boat have a license.
You can purchase a fishing license online at www.sportfishingbcs.gob.mx - though sometimes we've heard reports that the site isn't working properly. Don't panic if that happens as we can help you get your license. If you book a Bare Boat Charter it does not include your license. Our All-Inclusive Charter does and it also comes with drinks and lunch with snacks.
When you book your All-Inclusive Charter we'll get your preference on food and drink as well as the the names of the people in your party to handle getting the licenses needed. Booking All Inclusive is the easiest way to insure your Cabo fishing trip is stress free and much more enjoyable!
We also love having our clients stop by the shop before they go fishing so we can meet, get to know each other and answer any questions you may have about your upcoming fishing adventure.
If you're booking an All-Inclusive Charter you just need to bring personal things like a light jacket for cool mornings and it's wise to have both a long-sleeve and short-sleeve shirt or tank top for our famously sunny days. A good sunblock with a high SPF of 50+ is advisable as the sun down here is usually more intense than the majority of clients are used to. You are in the Tropics! Lip balm is also a good idea. A good pair of UV filtering sunglasses is a must, if you don't have a good pair, come into our tackle shop, we have them.
Next, bring a camera if you have one or you can use your smartphone to capture photos and video of your day on the water. If you bring a SLR camera, it's wise to have a polarized filter to cut out glare.
Flip flops are okay but you might find them to be a bit lacking when it comes to keeping your footing. A good pair of sneakers with non-marking soles are a better bet. If you're prone to seasickness, we recommend you take a seasickness pill an hour or two before you board and make sure to stay hydrated. Dehydration is the leading cause of seasickness so drink lots of water and avoid hard alcohol or heavy drinking the night before and during your day of fishing.
The Los Cabos region of Baja Sur, Mexico is unique. Cabo sport fishing enthusiasts are gifted with a blue-water paradise where the cooler waters of the Pacific Ocean meet and mix with the warmer, nutrient rich waters of the Sea of Cortez. Noted author and Baja explorer, John Steinbeck, referred to this ocean oasis as "the world's largest fish trap" - and with good reason.
Seasonal currents can take our water temperatures from 60 degrees Fahrenheit into the high 80's, even the 90's come late summer into fall. Along with these water temperature changes comes a bounty of planktons and bait fish that in turn bring Cabo phenomenal numbers of pelagic game fish - black, blue and striped marlin; sailfish and swordfish; tuna, dorado and toothy wahoo. This moving feast also breeds a healthy population of inshore and reef and structure fish like snappers (huachinago and cubera topping the list), Sierra mackerel, roosterfish and snook. In fact, the Sea of Cortez is home to over 800 species of marine life! There are few places on Earth that can compete with the diversity and volume of game fish found in Los Cabos and the sister cities of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
We're blessed to have so many outstanding fishing areas along the coast of Southern Baja. Here's a topographic fishing hot spots map that shows the world famous places we fish.
When is the best time to go fishing in Cabo? Wondering what you might catch? Take a look at our Cabo Fishing Seasons Calendar Chart and you'll see the most common species of fish we catch and when is the best time of the year to catch them.
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