EXCITING

Fishing

REELIN’ IN A

DREAM

A paradise for anglers seeking the thrill of a lifetime, Los Cabos has earned its reputation as one of the world’s premier sportfishing destinations.

Anglers are a tight-knit, dedicated, and spirited group, often willing to travel far and wide and search the world’s finest fishing destinations in pursuit of a dream fish. As they spin the globe to find a destination in which to fulfill their fishing fantasies, the buck inevitably stops at Los Cabos. Why? Simply put, world-class fishing opportunity exists here like nowhere else on the planet.

Brimming with vibrant aquamarine waters among stunning cliffside backdrops, both offshore and inshore species abound on every angler’s hit list, ranging from striped marlin, blue marlin, mahimahi, roosterfish, jack crevalles, and dozens of other aspirational catches of a lifetime.Angling adventures can last from a mere 4 hours up to a 12-hour full-day fishing marathon — it all depends on what fits into your schedule. Here’s what to expect.

THE DEEP SEA

When non-fishermen refer to the “deep sea,” that means heading to the offshore grounds that can range anywhere from 10 to 50 miles into the Pacific Ocean. These far-off waters are the playgrounds for some of the wildest big game species in the world. Topped off by the highlight, the striped marlin is in abundance offshore of Los Cabos more than anywhere else in the world’s oceans, earning the destination as the number one spot to achieve your “striper” catch. But don’t be fooled — other massive marlin species are caught every day as well, including black marlin that can reach 800 to 1,000 pounds and blue marlin of the same caliber.

Top-of-the-line sportfishing yachts depart daily to chase marlin, deploying tactics such as trolling with rigged ballyhoo baits, squid spreader bars and daisy chains, and even live baiting with sardines to tempt a strike. The prime season for marlin runs from September to mid-March, with anglers typically landing four to six marlin during a full day offshore during peak season.

If gladiator billfish are too much for you to handle, dial it down offshore and target the vibrantly hued mahimahi, aka dolphinfish, which range from 20 to 60 pounds on any given day and are notably absolutely delicious in the frying pan. Dolphinfish are primarily targeted from February through April. Speed demons in the form of wahoo, going up to 80 pounds, are also on tap, earning their name from an angler’s exclamation of “Wahoo!” when they take the bait and rip the line off the reel. Another prized catch, yellowfin tuna, weighing up to 250 pounds, are a daily occurrence from September through March. If you’re a big sushi fan, you certainly won’t eat anything fresher!

STAYING INSHORE

While the deep sea is tempting, you don’t have to make long runs offshore to enjoy exciting fishing opportunities. Inshore waters along the Sea of Cortés and along the Los Cabos waterfront offer up plenty of species both big and small to test your tackle. Anglers descend on Cabo San Lucas and along the East Cape to search out the incredibly beautiful roosterfish, with its coxcombed dorsal fin and brilliant black striped pattern along its silver flanks. Roosters, or “el gallo” in the native language, put up big game battles right within sight of the land, offering up the chance to truly feel the thrill of a big game battle while trolling diving plugs or tossing live baits back to them. This is a top destination for flyrodders looking to check the rooster off their bucket list.

The myriad seamounts and submarine rock piles hugging the coastline also attract a vast array of bottom species, including red snapper, groupers, jacks, and various types of cabrilla species, that fill the cooler for most charters to bring back home to the grill.

And if you don’t have your sea legs and want to stay on shore, don’t worry! There’s always the opportunity to hire a surf fishing charter and cast lures from the crashing surf to tangle with roosterfish, mackerel, and cabrilla species. Inshore species are also available year-round, so you’ll always be there at the right time, no matter what month you choose to visit.

HOPPING A CHARTER BOAT

Of course, when you’re out on the open sea, you want to fish in comfort and style, and the top dog in the area is the Pisces Fleet. Equipped with dozens of fishing charter boats for hire, the Pisces Fleet can get you on board your personal 80-foot sportfishing yacht for offshore adventures or rent out smaller midsize watercraft to chase inshore species. All boats come fully locked and loaded with a professional captain who knows the waters, a stocked fridge filled with beer and food, mates on deck to set the lines and assist you in your battles, and top-tier tackle to ensure your equipment never fails

when you have the big one on. Local panga boats at the marina offer four-hour half-day trips from 8 a.m. to noon, with prices ranging from $250 to $375.

Standard sportfishing boats of 25 to 32 feet from the Pisces Fleet are available for half-day excursions priced between $450 and $900. Midsize vessels, ranging from 31 to 42 feet, operate from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., catering primarily to billfish and offshore tuna fishing, and are priced between $1,000 and $1,400. The more luxurious 48- to 80-foot sport yachts, equipped with top-tier tackle and Seakeeper technology to ensure a steady journey, offer daylong charters spanning 30 to 60 miles and range from $3,000 to $6,000. Elite anglers with a penchant for the best can charter the 80-foot Viking sportfishing marvels, with a full day’s fishing priced between $12,000 and $15,000.

And don’t worry — if you fear you might be missing out because you’re flying solo or have a limited budget, you can even join a boat as a “share” on a charter with other likeminded anglers.

Tournament Time

Every year, the waters off Los Cabos transform into a competitive playground for anglers from around the world as the region hosts some of the most prestigious fishing tournaments on the planet.

With some of the world’s largest fishing tournaments taking place in Los Cabos, you not only have the chance to earn some serious cash winnings if you enter one, but the after-parties are the stuff of legends! Every fall, the region hosts competitions that see top captains and anglers from across the globe vying for significant cash prizes. In 2024, for instance, the Bisbee’s Black and Blue tournament awarded over $6.85 million in prize money.

If you’re considering experiencing these weeklong piscatory parties, here are the top tournaments to look out for in October and early November 2025:

» Los Cabos Billfish Tournament
» Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore
» Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore
» Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin
» Western Outdoor News Cabo Tuna Jackpot

Whether you’re a participant or a spectator, the energy and spectacle of these tournaments make Los Cabos a prime destination for any fishing enthusiast.