(Cabo San Lucas & San José del Cabo)
Late November continues to deliver exactly what Los Cabos is known for — consistent striped marlin, quality yellowfin tuna, dorado, and wahoo, plus a growing inshore bite as water temperatures cool.
If you’re planning a trip soon, this is the perfect time to review conditions and learn what’s producing fish. And if you want to get the most out of your charter, make sure to check our guides like, Top Fishing Lures To Use In Baja Waters. , [Cabo Inshore Fishing Guide], and our main [Tag Cabo Sportfishing Home Page].
Table of Contents
What’s Biting
Striped Marlin
November through May is prime striped marlin season in Cabo, and the last two weeks have shown a strong push of fish just 10–20 miles offshore.
Most of these fish are eating live caballito and rigged up mackerel trolled on the surface.
To learn more about marlin behavior in our region, check out our article Cabo Marlin Fishing Guide, where we explain proper catch-and-release technique for striped, blue, and black marlin.
Yellowfin Tuna
The Sea of Cortez side has been the star of the show:
- 40–80 lb yellowfin at Gordo Banks
- Occasional fish over 150 lb +
- Smaller footballs mixed in on the Pacific side
If you’re planning a tuna trip, read our [Guide to Finding Yellowfin Tuna Using Water Temperature & Chlorophyll] — it pairs perfectly with this report.
Dorado (Mahi Mahi)
Stable action with fish averaging 15–25 lb, plus a few larger bulls around Iman and La Fortuna.
Great targets for families and mixed-species days.
Wahoo
Classic late-November pattern:
- Early November = red-hot bite
- Past few days = slower but still productive
- Best success on high-speed trolling early and live chiwuil later in the morning
Inshore Species
Cooler mornings have kicked off the early winter inshore season:
- Sierra
- Roosterfish
- Snapper
- Cabrilla
- Jack crevalle
If you want to target these light-tackle species, read our [Cabo Inshore Fishing Guide] or our [Kayak & Surf Fishing Highlights].
Water & Conditions
- Water Temp: 74–77°F offshore
- Weather: Mornings cool, afternoons warm
- Sea State: Mostly calm with occasional windy Cortez afternoons
- Seasonal Signs: First whales of the season appearing on both sides
For a bigger picture of what to expect this time of year, visit our [Cabo Fishing Seasons Explained] blog.
Tactics That Are Producing Fish
Marlin & Dorado
- Small skirted lures in the morning
- Switch to live bait when fish are located
- Troll tight to current lines
Yellowfin Tuna
- Sardine chum lines on calm mornings
- Slow-trolled skipjacks for larger fish
- Squid strips when sardines are limited
If you want to understand the why behind these tactics, check out [How Water Conditions Predict Yellowfin Movement].
Wahoo
- High-speed trolling early
- Live chiwuil after 8:00 AM
- Target ledges and high spots
Inshore
- Light-tackle trolling for sierra
- Live bait for roosters
- Casting spoons along color changes
Our [Cabo Surf Fishing Guide] ties directly into these inshore tactics.
Where We’re Fishing
Pacific Side (Cabo San Lucas)
Consistent action along:
- Golden Gate area
- Migrating current lines 13–20 miles off the point
Great zone for mixed-bag offshore days.
Sea of Cortez (San José del Cabo)
The hottest area the past two weeks:
- Inner & Outer Gordo Banks
- La Fortuna
- Iman Bank
- 25-Spot
If you’re thinking about a multi-day trip to fish both sides, see our [Overnight Charters & Multi-Day Expeditions] page.
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
Late November is one of the best months of the year for a mixed-species Cabo offshore day, and the current tuna bite makes it even better.
If you’re planning a trip, make sure to review:
- [Overnight Fishing Trips] (Gordo Banks, MagBay & Islas Marías)
- [How to Prepare for Your First Cabo Fishing Charter]
And don’t forget to subscribe to our Tag Cabo YouTube channel for weekly fishing videos, gear tutorials, and live-aboard trip highlights.