A Local Captain’s Guide to One of the Best Sportfishing Destinations in the World
Cabo San Lucas has earned a global reputation as one of the best sportfishing destinations in the world. Located at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, Cabo sits at the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, creating an ocean environment rich in baitfish and large pelagic species.
For more than 16 years, local captain Arturo Chacón, owner of Tag Cabo Sportfishing, has explored these waters and helped anglers from around the world experience the incredible fishing opportunities that Los Cabos offers year-round.
Whether you are targeting striped marlin offshore, roosterfish in Cabo San Lucas along the beaches, or dorado near floating debris, Cabo San Lucas offers a fishing experience that few places in the world can match.
Why Cabo San Lucas Is One of the Best Fishing Destinations in the World
One of the unique characteristics of Cabo fishing is the incredible diversity of species available throughout the year.
Thanks to the interaction between the Pacific currents and the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez, anglers can target both offshore pelagic species and inshore game fish within relatively short distances from the marina.
Some of the most popular species caught in Cabo include:
- Striped Marlin
- Blue Marlin
- Yellowfin Tuna
- Dorado (Mahi-Mahi)
- Wahoo
- Roosterfish
- Snapper
- Grouper and Cabrilla
The deep underwater canyons and fishing banks located just offshore also make Cabo one of the few places where anglers can reach world-class fishing grounds in less than an hour.
The Best Fishing Spots in Cabo San Lucas
Over the years, several fishing grounds around Cabo have become famous among anglers.
Finger Bank
Located about 45 miles offshore, the Finger Bank is known for producing large yellowfin tuna and striped marlin — see our guide to yellowfin tuna fishing in Cabo San Lucas. This underwater structure concentrates baitfish and attracts large predators.
Gordo Banks
Situated toward the Sea of Cortez side near San José del Cabo, Gordo Banks is a productive area for tuna, marlin, and bottom species.
Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda offers a mix of inshore and offshore fishing opportunities, making it a great place to target roosterfish, dorado, and tuna depending on the season.
San Luis Bank
San Luis Bank is another well-known fishing ground where temperature breaks and bait concentrations often attract marlin and tuna.
Inshore Fishing in Cabo
While Cabo is famous for offshore fishing, the inshore fishing can be equally exciting.
Anglers fishing close to the beaches and rocky structures can target species such as:
- Roosterfish
- Jack Crevalle
- Snapper
- Sierra Mackerel
- Cabrilla (grouper)
Roosterfish fishing along the beaches of the East Cape and areas like Agua Amarga has become especially popular among fly fishermen and light tackle anglers.
Offshore Fishing in Cabo
Offshore fishing is where Cabo truly shines.
Many anglers travel from around the world specifically to experience marlin fishing in Cabo
Striped marlin are available for much of the year, and during peak seasons anglers can experience multiple marlin encounters in a single day.
Other offshore species commonly targeted include:
- Yellowfin tuna
- Dorado
- Wahoo
- Sailfish
The abundance of baitfish and favorable ocean currents make Cabo one of the most consistent big-game fishing destinations anywhere in the world.
When Is the Best Time to Fish in Cabo?
One of the biggest advantages of Cabo is that fishing is productive year-round — check the Cabo fishing season calendar by month.
Different seasons bring different species, allowing anglers to plan trips based on their target fish.
Some of the best fishing seasons include:
Spring
Excellent roosterfish fishing along the beaches and strong striped marlin activity offshore.
Summer
Prime time for dorado, tuna, and blue marlin.
Fall
One of the most productive seasons for big tuna and marlin.
Winter
Great striped marlin fishing and exciting bottom fishing opportunities.
Technology and Modern Fishing Techniques
Modern sportfishing in Cabo combines traditional fishing knowledge with advanced technology.
Captains often use tools such as:
- Fish-finding sonar
- Satellite temperature charts
- Chlorophyll concentration maps
- Bird activity and bait movements
These tools help locate productive fishing zones and improve the chances of finding fish.
Many professional captains, including the team at Tag Cabo Sportfishing, regularly analyze ocean data to locate temperature breaks and bait concentrations where predators are likely to feed.
Fishing with Tag Cabo Sportfishing
Tag Cabo Sportfishing offers a variety of fishing charters designed to help anglers experience the best fishing that Cabo San Lucas has to offer.
Trips can be customized depending on your fishing goals, whether you want to target striped marlin offshore, roosterfish in Cabo San Lucas along the beaches, or tuna at offshore banks.
With experienced crews and well-equipped boats, anglers can enjoy a professional fishing experience guided by local knowledge of Cabo’s most productive fishing areas.
Plan Your Fishing Trip to Cabo
If you are planning a fishing trip to Los Cabos, choosing an experienced local captain can make a huge difference in your success on the water.
Understanding seasonal fish movements, ocean conditions, and local fishing grounds allows anglers to maximize their chances of catching fish.
Cabo San Lucas offers incredible fishing opportunities year-round, making it one of the most exciting sportfishing destinations anywhere in the world.
If you would like to experience fishing in Cabo San Lucas with a knowledgeable local crew, visit Tag Cabo Sportfishing to explore our fleet and available fishing charters.
Our team is ready to help you plan an unforgettable fishing adventure in the waters of Baja California Sur.
Where to Go Next: From Planning to Booking
This guide covers the planning basics. When you are ready to narrow it down:
- Pick your target species. Read the dedicated guides: yellowfin tuna, striped marlin, blue and black marlin, dorado, roosterfish, wahoo, or snapper and grouper.
- Time your trip against the Cabo fishing season calendar.
- Choose your boat from the charter boats in Cabo lineup, then book a fishing charter in Cabo — every trip is private and includes tackle, licenses, bait, food and drinks.
More Fishing Resources
-
Tag Cabo YouTube channel — real days on the water
-
Cabo Sportfishing Magazine — local fishing stories
-
Fishco.mx — fishing gear
-
Best Beaches for Fly Fishing in Agua Amarga, Baja California Sur →
Fishing Methods Used in Cabo San Lucas
Cabo crews run a mix of techniques depending on the target and the conditions:
- Trolling with lures and rigged bait for marlin, tuna, dorado and wahoo.
- Live bait pitching — the standard for striped marlin, sight-hunted and fed a live caballito or mackerel.
- Teasers and dredges to raise billfish behind the boat before the pitch.
- Light tackle and popping along the beaches for roosterfish and jack crevalle.
- Bottom fishing on the banks for snapper, cabrilla and grouper on slower offshore days.
- Fly fishing from a panga or the beach for roosterfish and sierra.
Chartering a Boat in Cabo San Lucas
Choose the boat around the trip, not the price tag. A 25ft panga is perfect for inshore roosterfish and short days close to the beach; 28–35ft boats cover most offshore days on the banks; 45ft and larger boats add range, comfort and shade for full-day and overnight runs. See the full lineup on our fleet page, and check what is running now on the Cabo fishing calendar.
Every Tag Cabo charter is private — your group only — and includes top-of-the-line tackle, two fishing licenses, ice, drinking water and crew who fish these banks every day.
What to Bring on Your Trip
- Hat, polarized sunglasses and reef-safe sunblock
- A light windbreaker in winter (mornings can drop into the high 60s)
- Soft-soled shoes or sandals
- Camera, cash for crew gratuity and any personal snacks or drinks beyond what we provide
- Motion-sickness tablets taken the night before if you are prone to seasickness
What a Typical Fishing Day in Cabo Looks Like
Boats leave the marina around 6:30–7:00 am, stop at the bait barge for live caballito, and clear the Arch within minutes. Depending on reports, the run offshore takes 20 minutes to just over an hour. Most trips are 6, 8 or 10 hours, with lines in on the way out and the return through the marina in the early afternoon. Your catch is cleaned, bagged and can be taken to a local restaurant to be cooked the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fishing in Cabo
Is Cabo good for first-time anglers? Yes. The crew rigs, baits and coaches — you fight the fish. No experience is required.
Do I need a fishing license? Yes, every angler needs a Mexican sportfishing license. Two are included with each Tag Cabo charter; extras are $25 each.
Is fishing better in the morning or afternoon? Mornings are the standard, mainly for bait and calmer seas, though the tuna bite often peaks midday.
Are the waters rough? Usually not. The Sea of Cortez side is typically calm; the Pacific side gets more swell in winter.
Can I keep my catch? Yes — edible species are cleaned for you. Marlin and sailfish are tagged and released.
Pre-Trip Checklist
- Pick your dates against the season guide.
- Match the boat to the fishing you want.
- Confirm the number of anglers and any extra licenses.
- Arrange transport from San José del Cabo airport and your hotel pickup time.
- Pack sun protection, a windbreaker in winter and your camera.
- Book a fishing charter in Cabo early for October–December and holiday weeks.
Fishing from the beach
Not every good day in Baja happens on a boat. Surf fishing in Los Cabos puts roosterfish, jack crevalle and sierra within casting range of the sand, from the Pacific beaches near Solmar and Pedregal to the wide open shoreline of the East Cape. It is the cheapest, most flexible way to fish here — and in June through September it produces some of the biggest roosterfish of the year.