01
Striped marlin
Marlín rayado
Cabo's signature billfish. Around all year, best in the cooler months when they push close to shore.
Where: Pacific side, Golden Gate and San Jaime banks
Cabo Insider Field Guide · No. 01
The Cabo Fishing Calendar: what's biting, month by month
Where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez, the fish change with the water. Here's when to come for marlin, tuna, dorado and roosterfish, told straight.
Best overall
October – November
Marlin, tuna, dorado and wahoo all overlap.
Biggest fish
August – October
Warm water brings blue and black marlin.
Calmest seas
June – July
Dorado season and easy days for first-timers.
The chart
Seven fish, twelve months
Read across to see a fish's season, or down to see what you're likely to find in the month you're visiting.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Striped marlinMarlín rayado | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Possible | Possible | Possible | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak |
| Blue & black marlinMarlín azul y negro | Rare | Rare | Rare | Rare | Possible | Possible | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Possible |
| Yellowfin tunaAtún aleta amarilla | Possible | Possible | Possible | Possible | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Dorado (mahi-mahi)Dorado | Rare | Rare | Rare | Possible | Possible | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Possible |
| WahooPeto | Possible | Rare | Rare | Rare | Possible | Good | Possible | Possible | Good | Peak | Peak | Good |
| RoosterfishPez gallo | Rare | Rare | Possible | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Possible | Possible | Rare | Rare |
| Sierra & yellowtailSierra y jurel | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Possible | Rare | Rare | Rare | Rare | Rare | Possible | Good |
RarePossibleGoodPeak
Know your fish
Why Cabo is called the Marlin Capital
Deep water drops away just minutes from the marina, so you can be over billfish grounds before breakfast. That short run is the whole secret.
02
Blue & black marlin
Marlín azul y negro
The heavyweights. Summer and autumn warm water brings them in, which is why the big tournaments run in October.
Where: Offshore, often 20+ miles out
03
Yellowfin tuna
Atún aleta amarilla
Most runs are 20 to 40 lb 'football' tuna. Bigger 'cows' show up some autumns, but never promise them.
Where: Under porpoise pods and birds, Pacific and Sea of Cortez
04
Dorado (mahi-mahi)
Dorado
Bright, acrobatic and excellent to eat. The easiest 'wow' fish for first-timers in summer.
Where: Around floating debris and kelp paddies
05
Wahoo
Peto
Fastest fish out there. Short windows, usually around moon phases in autumn.
Where: Drop-offs, ridges and the Gorda banks
06
Roosterfish
Pez gallo
Catch-and-release trophy. Best from a panga close to the beach in late spring and summer.
Where: Surf line toward the East Cape
07
Sierra & yellowtail
Sierra y jurel
The winter inshore bite. Great on light tackle, and sierra ceviche is a local favorite.
Where: Inshore reefs and the Pacific beaches
Month by month
A captain's-eye view of the year
January
Cooler waterStriped marlin season
Striper numbers are strong and whales share the water. Mornings can be breezy, so pick a bigger boat if you get seasick.
February
Coolest of the year waterStripers and sierra
Wind is the wildcard. Inshore sierra and yellowtail keep light-tackle trips productive on rough days.
March
Cool waterQuiet but steady
Fewer boats, good striped marlin, and whale season is still running. A solid month for combining the two.
April
Warming waterThe changeover
Winter fish thin out and roosterfish begin to show along the beaches. Mixed bags are common.
May
Warming waterRoosterfish time
Beach panga trips for roosterfish hit their stride, and the first warm-water species start to arrive offshore.
June
Warm waterSummer switches on
Dorado and tuna build, seas are usually calm. One of the most comfortable months to be on the water.
July
Warm waterDorado month
Dorado around every piece of floating debris, and blue marlin start showing. Hot on land, lovely at sea.
August
Warmest waterBig blues arrive
Peak warm water brings blue and black marlin. It is hurricane season, so book with a flexible captain.
September
Warmest waterBig fish, few crowds
Some of the best offshore fishing of the year with the lowest visitor numbers. Watch the storm forecasts.
October
Warm waterTournament month
The famous billfish tournaments run now. Marlin, tuna, dorado and wahoo all overlap. Book boats well ahead.
November
Cooling waterThe grand slam window
Striped marlin return while tuna and wahoo linger. Many captains call this the best all-round month.
December
Cooling waterHoliday stripers
Striped marlin close to shore and whales arriving. Holiday demand is high, so reserve early.
Insider notes
Before you book a boat
- Go early. Boats leave the marina around 6:30 to 7 am. The first hours are usually the best bite and the calmest water.
- Panga or cruiser? A panga is cheaper and great inshore. A cruiser is steadier and faster for the offshore marlin grounds.
- Ask what's included. License, bait, drinks and fish cleaning vary by boat. Get it in writing.
- Seasick? Take your remedy the night before and again at breakfast, not once you feel it.
- Tip the crew. Around 15 to 20% of the charter price is customary, in cash.
Fishing in Cabo: quick answers
What is the best month to fish in Cabo San Lucas?
For the widest mix of species, October and November. Striped marlin, tuna, dorado and wahoo all overlap, and the seas are usually settled. For the biggest blue marlin, August through October.
Can you fish in Cabo all year?
Yes. Something is always biting. Striped marlin are around in every month, and the inshore bite changes with the season, from sierra in winter to roosterfish in summer.
Do I need a fishing license in Cabo?
Yes. Mexico requires a sport fishing license for everyone on board a fishing boat, even people who are not fishing. Most charters include it or arrange it for you, so ask when you book.
Is Cabo fishing catch and release?
Billfish like marlin are released by strong local custom and tournament rules. Tuna, dorado, wahoo and sierra can be kept within daily limits, and many restaurants will cook your catch.
Seasons are general guidance based on long-running local fleet patterns. Every year is different, so ask your captain for the latest reports.