There are few places that offer the same fishing experience as Cabo San Lucas. Considered by many to be the best fishing spot in the world, it is undeniably an anglers dream destination. You’ll have a huge variety of fish to target and an incredible holiday resort city to call home.
Why Fish in Cabo San Lucas?
The diverse fish species in Cabo San Lucas attracts anglers from all over the world. Cabo is home to the likes of marlin, roosterfish, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, and many more.
Whether you enjoy inshore or offshore fishing, you will be spoiled for choice. It’s also home to one of the biggest billfishing tournaments in the world. When you aren’t fishing, this popular resort city provides plenty of exciting entertainment and activities.
The Fishing – Marlin Fishing Capital of the World
The marlin fishing in Cabo is known worldwide. From offshore fishing to inshore angling, Cabo San Lucas is the perfect place to tick off a few species on your bucket list.
Fishing
The Billfish fishing in Cabo San Lucas is nothing but exceptional with blues, blacks and especially striped marlin in plague proportions at certain times of the year. With that being said it’s the perfect place for a billfish grand slam.
Other popular fish species include Mahi Mahi, wahoo fish, colorado snappers, jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel, yellowfin tuna and also the worlds largest concentration of roosterfish.
The bycatch that is on hand whilst waiting, in-between bites from a billfish is nothing but exceptional and will keep you busy all day.
Charter Boats
With an exceptional offshore scene, you can expect some top-notch charter operators with a vast range of boats to choose from. From 70 foot flybridges down to 22 foot banana boats, Cabo has it all starting from as little as 200 USD all the way up to 5000 USD for a day out on the water.
Fishing Tournaments & Events
Baja California Sur is a popular fishing destination with many tournaments each year. While visiting Cabo San Lucas, be sure to check out one of the biggest billfish competitions in the world – Bisbee’s Black and Blue.
It takes place during October, with entry prices either $2,500 or $5,000 per team depending on whether you are entering the release or basic categories. This high entry cost is justified, with over $3,000,000 in prize money up for grabs.
Winners are decided based on the weight of the billfish caught. There is also an additional Tournament Jackpot prize pool that can be entered into to win some extra prizes for daily catches.
Other competitions in the Cabo area include:
- Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore [August]
- Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore [October]
- Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing [June]
- Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot [November]
Best Time to Visit Cabo San Lucas
The best time for fishing is during the shoulder months of September and October. During this time, the fish are very active. It’s also when the biggest fishing competitions take place.
However, it is peak season, so you will need to be booking your accommodation and charters between 60 – 90 days in advance.
The winter months from November to December are great weatherwise. You can also find good fishing conditions on most days.
The summer months from July to August can have some good fishing days. But it’s very humid and extremely hot, so make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen.
Places to Stay in Cabo San Lucas
Being a resort city, you can expect a lot of accommodation options available. You’ll be able to choose from luxury accommodation, holiday vacation rentals, and liveaboard opportunities.
Luxury Accommodation
If you’re willing to set aside some extra money, you will be able to enjoy world-class resort and hotel accommodation. Most of these are located in prime locations, mere minutes away from the beach. The most popular options include Hacienda Beach Club & Residences, Pueblo Bonita Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort, and The Cape (a Thompson Hotel).
Holiday Vacation Rentals
If you’re looking for something a bit more local, then you’re in luck. There are many vacation rentals available in Cabo San Lucas. You can spend a little extra and stay in luxury or find quality budget accommodation; it’s up to you.
Liveaboard Opportunities
This area of Mexico is a popular destination for yachts and boat life in general. If you want to be close to the water, you can’t get closer than living aboard a boat. There are plenty of liveaboard opportunities available.
How to Reach Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas is located on the Baja California peninsula in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur.
The quickest way to reach the city is by taking a flight to the nearest airport – Los Cabos International Airport. It is a short 30-minute drive away from Cabo San Lucas. You can rent a car, take a taxi (most expensive), or use a bus.
Everything You Need to Know About Cabo San Lucas Fishing
When planning a fishing trip to Cabo San Lucas, the most important thing to know is that you will need a fishing licence except for a noteworthy exception. Fortunately, you can apply for it online in English.
There are limits to how many fish you can take home, but not how many you can release. However, the fish must be returned to the water in a healthy condition.
Note: The exception is that you don’t need a licence when fishing from the shore. However, you will still need to be abiding by the fishing limits.
Planning Your Trip
If you’re planning a trip to Cabo San Lucas, it’s best to be prepared. This fishing mecca is even better if you prioritise your time with a line in the water. You can either rent some rods locally or bring your own tackle for shore fishing.
If you’re not heading out on your own boat, there are plenty of charters available. These can be booked at relatively short notice, but it’s best to book in advance during the peak holiday seasons.
Below is a great fishing calendar chart provided by Armada Sportfishing that you may want to take into consideration when planning your fishing trip in Cabo San Lucas.
It’a time to fish in Cabo San Lucas! Head out to the golden sandy beaches of California Baja with the whole family – there are few places like this anywhere in the world.
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