Cabo has three marlin. Striped marlin are here every month, blues and blacks come with the summer heat. Here is when to come, where we look and how we fish.
Cabo built its name on marlin, and it still earns it. Three species swim off the cape. Striped marlin you can plan a trip around. Blue marlin you go looking for in the warm months. Black marlin is the one you get when the day goes your way.
Which marlin, and when
Striped marlin
Here every month, strongest from November through May, when the water cools and bait piles up on the Pacific side banks. On the best days they cruise on the surface with their tails out and the day turns into sight fishing. Most run 100 to 180 pounds, they jump early and often, and they make the best first billfish there is. More on striped marlin.
Blue marlin
A summer and fall fish, strongest from June into November. Fewer, bigger and heavier, usually in the 200 to 400 pound range, and capable of emptying a reel before you have your feet set. If blue marlin is the goal, say so when you book, because we fish differently for them. More on blue marlin.
Black marlin
The least common of the three and the heaviest built, commonly 200 to 500 pounds. Late summer and early fall, roughly July through October, give you the best shot. A black tends to go down and stay down, so the fight becomes a long pull straight under the boat. Even in the right months a black is an uncommon catch, and we would rather you know that going in. More on black marlin.
Where we find them
The banks do most of the work. They are underwater rises that push current up and hold bait, and marlin sit on them for that reason.
- San Jaime Bank: the closer Pacific bank, 18 to 22 nautical miles out of Cabo San Lucas past Cabo Falso. Striped marlin structure.
- Golden Gate Bank: the northern Pacific seamount, 25 to 30 nautical miles out, two hours or more each way. Striped marlin water.
- Gordo Banks: two seamounts off San Jose del Cabo, Inner and Outer, best known for big yellowfin. Blue and black marlin work this water in summer and fall too.
Which bank we run depends on the day: wind, swell and where the fish were working the day before. That call gets made on the water, not the night before.
How we fish them
Two ways, and the good days use both. Trolling covers ground: a spread of lures or rigged bait pulled at speed until something comes up on it. For blue and black marlin we troll big, on heavy tackle sized for the fish.
When striped marlin are up and tailing, we shut down and switch to live bait. We put the bait in front of one fish and watch it light up and eat. You have to let that fish turn before you come tight, and getting that pause right is most of the skill. The crew talks you through it before it happens. If you already know your dates, see which boats are open.
Release
We release marlin as a matter of course. That is how nearly every fish ends up, and it is what you should plan on when you book. The call is the captain's on the day, with the fish alongside.
The photo happens boatside with the fish in the water. Then the hook comes out or the leader gets cut close, and we hold the fish alongside until it swims off on its own. Our catch and release practices page covers how we handle them. If you want fish for the table, we will put you on tuna or dorado, often on the same day.
The boat for it
Marlin is a full day target. The banks are a real run, and a full day gives you six to eight hours on the water and real time on the fish once you get there.
Our boat for it is El Wahoo King, our 35 foot flagship out of Cabo San Lucas Marina and the boat we recommend for four to six anglers, with lunch and drinks aboard. A full day is $1,900 for the whole boat. Book it as Full-Day Sport Fishing and tell us marlin is the priority, so we plan the run, the bait and the tackle around it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month for marlin fishing in Cabo?
For striped marlin, November through May, though they are here every month. For blue and black marlin, summer into fall, with blues strongest from June into November and blacks from July through October.
Can you keep a marlin in Cabo?
We release marlin as a matter of course. The call is the captain's on the day, with the fish alongside, and release is what you should plan on when you book.
Is a half day long enough for marlin?
We target marlin on a full day. The banks are a real run, and a full day gives you six to eight hours on the water and time on the fish.
How much does a marlin fishing trip in Cabo cost?
A full day on El Wahoo King, our boat for marlin, is $1,900 for the whole boat. Every charter is private, so that price covers your group of up to six anglers.
Pick your month, then book your full day online.
