Where you stay picks your launch point, your group picks the boat, and the month picks the fish. Here is how to plan a Cabo fishing trip that works.
A good Cabo fishing trip comes down to a few decisions made in the right order. Where you are staying decides where you launch. Your group decides the boat. The month decides the fish. Get those three right and the rest is packing.
Pick the launch point by where you are staying
We run boats from three places, so you fish the side of the cape closest to your bed instead of losing the morning in a car.
Cabo San Lucas
Don Pancho and El Wahoo King leave from the marina in Cabo San Lucas. A canyon runs into the bay, so billfish water is minutes from the dock. This is the launch for the Pacific side banks and the striped marlin Cabo is known for.
San Jose del Cabo
La Ruca and La Morita run day trips from San Jose del Cabo to the Gordo Banks and up the East Cape. Yellowfin tuna and wahoo show nearly year round on that side, and the grouper and snapper fishing is world class. If you are staying in San Jose, there is no reason to drive across to Cabo San Lucas to fish.
Punta Lobos, Todos Santos
Our home waters are the Pacific near Todos Santos and El Pescadero. The 24 foot panga launches off the beach at Punta Lobos through the surf and fishes remote, lightly pressured water. Todos Santos is about 45 to 50 miles from Cabo by road, so this launch suits guests staying on the Pacific side. Launching is subject to conditions.
All three launch points, and the banks we fish from them, are on the Where We Fish chart.
Pick the boat by group size
- Up to 3: the 24 foot Punta Lobos panga, from $450 for about six hours.
- Up to 4: La Ruca, $550 for a half day and $800 for a full day, or La Morita, $600 and $950. Both leave from San Jose del Cabo. La Morita has two hulls, so the deck sits flatter, which helps anyone nervous on the water.
- 4 to 6: El Wahoo King, our flagship out of Cabo San Lucas Marina, at $1,650 and $1,900, or Don Pancho at $1,250 and $1,850.
- More than 6: we book partner boats, priced on inquiry.
Every charter is private, so the boat is yours for the day whatever size your group is. The trips page shows every way to spend that day. When you have a boat and a date in mind, check availability online.
Half day or full day
Half days work the water closest in and suit first timers, families and travel days. Full days run six to eight hours and give you the fuel and time to reach the offshore banks. If the trip is built around marlin, big tuna or wahoo, book the full day.
When to come
You can fish Cabo in any month. What changes is what is biting.
- Striped marlin are here year round, strongest from November through May on the Pacific side banks.
- Summer into fall brings blue and black marlin, dorado and yellowfin tuna.
- Wahoo run in the fall, roughly October through December.
- Humpback and gray whales are here from roughly mid December to April.
November is the overlap. Wahoo are running, tuna are heavy and the striped marlin come back as the water cools, which is why we rate fishing in Cabo in November so highly. The one thing to plan around is weather: summer into fall overlaps hurricane season, and we do not run when it is not safe to. The month by month calendar has the full picture.
What to bring
Less than you think. Tackle, bait and ice are aboard on fishing trips, along with drinking water and snacks. You do not need a wetsuit or rash guard to fish. What you do need:
- Sun protection, which is not included
- A hat and sunglasses
- A layer for the early run out, especially late in the year
- Your fishing license
- Gratuity for the crew, which is not included either
The full list is on our what to bring page.
The fishing license
Everyone aboard a boat with rods needs their own Mexican fishing license, including anyone who is only along for the ride. It is not part of the charter price. A day license runs about $24, and we help you get yours before the trip so nobody is sorting paperwork on the dock.
What all inclusive means on our boats
Plenty of people look for an all inclusive Cabo fishing trip. On our boats the day includes the boat, captain, crew, tackle, bait, ice, water and snacks, and on El Wahoo King lunch and drinks are included too. Filleting at the dock is part of the day, and vacuum sealing and freezing are available so your catch flies home with you. The license, the gratuity and sun protection are yours to bring.
Booking
Book online. Pick a boat and a date on the Book Now page, and a 50 percent deposit holds it.
Frequently asked questions
What can you fish for in Cabo?
Striped marlin year round, strongest from November through May, plus blue and black marlin, dorado and yellowfin tuna through summer and fall and wahoo in the fall. On the San Jose del Cabo side the grouper and snapper fishing is world class.
What is the best month to fish in Cabo?
It depends on the fish. November is hard to beat, with wahoo running, tuna heavy and striped marlin back. For marlin alone, come from November through May for striped marlin, or in summer and fall for blue and black marlin.
Are Cabo fishing trips all inclusive?
Ours include the boat, captain, crew, tackle, bait, ice, drinking water and snacks, with lunch and drinks on El Wahoo King. The fishing license, gratuity and sun protection are not included.
How many people fit on a fishing boat?
Three on the Punta Lobos panga, up to four on La Ruca and La Morita, and up to six on Don Pancho and El Wahoo King. Bigger groups go on partner boats, priced on inquiry.
Got your dates? Pick a boat and book online.
