Cabo Sportfishing Seasons: What You'll Catch & When (2026)

Cabo San Lucas is one of the great sportfishing destinations on the planet — the place where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez and billfish gather year-round. But the boat you book and the season you visit shape exactly what ends up on your line. This guide walks through Cabo sportfishing seasons month by month, what each species is doing, and how to match a boat to your trip. Remember that fishing in Cabo runs on the same boats as the yacht fleet, so you are choosing from real, capable vessels.

Cabo's Year-Round Fishery

Cabo's biggest draw is consistency. Warm, food-rich water means you can hook something nearly any week of the year. That said, each species peaks at a different time, so timing your trip — or simply knowing what to expect — makes all the difference. Browse charters and check availability on the Los Cabos fishing page.

When is marlin season in Cabo?

Marlin are the headline act. Striped marlin are the steady performers, most reliable from roughly late fall through spring, with strong winter action. Blue and black marlin — the giants — favor the warmer water of summer into early fall, typically July through October. If a billfish is your goal, plan around these windows, though stripies show up across much of the year.

Dorado (Mahi-Mahi), Tuna, Wahoo & Sailfish

• Dorado / mahi-mahi — the acrobatic, golden crowd-pleaser; best when the water is warm, generally summer through fall, and fantastic eating.
• Yellowfin tuna — strong from late spring into fall, often near porpoise pods offshore; expect hard, deep fights.
• Wahoo — fast and prized at the table, most common in the warmer months of late summer into fall.
• Sailfish — another summer-into-fall billfish that delivers spectacular surface runs and jumps.

The short version: winter and spring lean toward striped marlin and cooler-water action, while summer and fall light up with dorado, tuna, wahoo, sailfish, and the big blue and black marlin. These are general patterns — ocean conditions shift year to year, so a good captain reads the current week's bite.

How do you choose a boat by size?

The right boat depends on how far offshore you want to run, how many anglers are aboard, and how much comfort you want between bites. Because fishing shares the yacht fleet, you have real range to choose from.

Smaller, nimble boats

For a couple or a small crew on a half-day or inshore trip, the 33' Sea Ray, 35' Sea Ray, and 38' Sea Ray are efficient and easy to handle while still reaching productive water.

Mid-size all-rounders

Stepping up, the 42' Sea Ray, 43' Sea Ray, and 45' Sea Ray add range and deck space for a larger group chasing offshore species over a full day.

Comfort and the long run offshore

When you want to fish in style or cover serious distance, the 50' Sunseeker, 50' Azimut, and 60' Azimut deliver luxury along with the fishing. For a big group or a marquee day, the 75' Sunseeker Manhattan and 100' Lady Katana turn a fishing trip into an event. Our yacht guide by size covers the full fleet in detail.

Gear, Spearfishing & Planning

Every Baja Pass boat comes rigged with fishing gear included — rods, reels, tackle, and a crew that knows the water — so you can show up and fish. Prefer to hunt under the surface? Spearfishing is a thrilling, hands-on alternative that puts you in the water with the fish, and it carries a 2-for-1 member deal. For the bigger picture on rates, etiquette, and what to bring, read our complete Cabo fishing charters guide.

How can you fish Cabo for 50% off?

Sportfishing charters are a premium experience, which is exactly why Baja Pass members get 50% off the boat fleet — the same one price covers you and a guest for a full year, stored in Apple or Google Wallet, alongside 2-for-1 deals on restaurants and activities. To reserve a specific boat and date for a fishing day, our team books it for you directly through the contact page.

Whichever season you fish, one good day on the water more than covers your membership. Get your Baja Pass and head offshore for half the price.