Ocean Conditions Shaping the Season
The 2025 Los Cabos billfish season is unfolding under neutral El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions, with a shift toward La Niña expected by fall. Cooler currents along the Pacific side of Baja typically mean stronger upwellings, more sardines and mackerel, and bigger concentrations of marlin. For anglers planning their trips, that’s the recipe for world-class fishing in Cabo.
Striped Marlin – The Backbone of Cabo Sportfishing
Striped marlin are present year-round, but their migration creates several peak windows:
- Winter–Spring (Jan–Mar): The Golden Gate and San Jaime banks hold steady numbers, offering multiple release opportunities per trip.
- Fall (Oct–Dec): As the Magdalena Bay sardine run begins, massive schools of striped marlin gather to feed, creating surface chaos few fisheries can match.
- Late Fall–Winter (Nov–Feb): The Finger Bank striped marlin grounds north of Cabo deliver some of the highest catch-and-release rates anywhere, with double-digit daily releases common in peak weeks.
Blue Marlin – Prime Summer Action
Blue marlin season runs June–October, and 2025 has been no exception. By July and August, boats were consistently raising fish in the 200–400 lb class. With sea temps holding in the low 80s, September still offers excellent chances for anglers chasing that electric strike and high-flying acrobatics only blues deliver.
Black Marlin – Giants on Gordo Banks
Although less common, black marlin are the fish of a lifetime in Cabo. The Gordo Banks area produced multiple blacks over 600 lbs this August, along with stories of fish well over 800 lbs lost in battle. Live skipjack and small tuna are the best offerings, and anglers in September and October still have a great chance to encounter one of these heavyweights.
2025 Hotspots for Marlin
- Magdalena Bay (Oct–Dec) – Bait-ball striped marlin action during the sardine run.
- Finger Bank (Nov–Feb) – Legendary striped marlin aggregations for anglers willing to make the long run.
- Golden Gate & San Jaime (Winter–Spring) – Reliable striped marlin grounds when the Pacific cools.
- Gordo Banks (Aug–Oct) – The spot for big blues and blacks, along with tuna and dorado.
Proven Techniques for 2025
- For Striped Marlin: Pitch live caballito or mackerel into surface frenzies, with teasers ready.
- For Blues and Blacks: Troll large lures at 7–8.5 knots, then pitch live skipjack or small tuna on heavy leaders (150–200 lb).
- For All Species: Use advanced electronics like SIMRAD sonar and overlay data from SatFish to locate bait schools and productive current lines before the rest of the fleet.
Conservation: Responsible Billfishing
At Tag Cabo Sportfishing, conservation is non-negotiable. We practice and promote catch-and-release billfishing, using heavy tackle to reduce fight times and circle hooks to minimize injury. With striped marlin massing in the thousands and giant blacks still roaming Gordo Banks, protecting these fish ensures that Cabo remains the sportfishing capital of the world for generations to come.
Plan Your Trip Around the Migration
- September–October: Hunt blue and black marlin on the Sea of Cortez side.
- October–December: Experience the sardine run at Magdalena Bay or target striped marlin on the Finger Bank.
- Winter–Spring 2026: Return for the Golden Gate and San Jaime striped marlin fishery.
👉 Whether you want to chase a grander blue, hook into a black marlin off Gordo, or witness the chaos of striped marlin blitzing bait balls, Cabo in 2025 has it all. Browse our fleet of Fishing experiences and let us customize your adventure.
Reach Out to us via Email at tagsportfishing@gmail.com