Fishing seasons, species, tournament dates and trip information for Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo and the East Cape. Compare inshore and offshore options before booking.
Select a month to compare target species, inshore and offshore options, and typical weather considerations.
Cool-water emphasisTransitionWarm-water emphasis
January fishing in Cabo
Striped marlin offshore; sierra and jacks inshore
Start with striped marlin offshore and sierra close to shore. Dorado and tuna sometimes persist in warm pockets, but a winter trip should not depend on them.
Ask your captain“Are the marlin within the normal trip range, and what is the coastal fallback?”
February fishing in Cabo
Winter marlin and coastal light-tackle fishing
February options include striped marlin offshore and sierra or jacks inshore. Water temperatures and fish locations can vary across the fishing grounds.
Ask your captain“Would you choose an offshore or inshore day this week if you were fishing yourself?”
April fishing in Cabo
Striped marlin, roosterfish and jacks
April can hold both lingering cool-water opportunities and early signs of a warmer-water fishery. Local bait and water clarity matter more than the date of your arrival.
Ask your captain“Is there enough beach bait and clean water for a dedicated roosterfish day?”
May fishing in Cabo
Roosterfish and coastal casting
May is a useful month to consider roosterfish and coastal casting. Offshore, ask about current striped-marlin catches and reports of warm-water species.
Ask your captain“For fly fishing, is the crew set up for beach sight-casting or boat-based teasing?”
June fishing in Cabo
Dorado and tuna offshore; roosterfish along the coast
June options include dorado, tuna and warm-water billfish offshore, with roosterfish along the coast. Timing and abundance vary between years and sides of the cape.
Ask your captain“Can we switch methods if we find feeding dorado, or is this a dedicated marlin trip?”
August fishing in Cabo
Blue marlin, yellowfin tuna and dorado
August offshore targets include blue marlin, yellowfin tuna and dorado. Check the operator’s cancellation and rescheduling terms, as tropical weather can disrupt trips.
Ask your captain“Will a tournament change our departure time, crew, price or access to the usual boat?”
November fishing in Cabo
Striped marlin alongside late-season tuna and wahoo
November may offer striped marlin alongside tuna, dorado and wahoo. Bait location and water conditions determine which species crews are finding on each side of the cape.
Ask your captain“Is the bite close to Cabo, or does it need a separately arranged extended-range day?”
December fishing in Cabo
Striped marlin and cooler-water inshore species
December shifts attention toward striped marlin and cooler-water inshore species. Dorado and tuna may carry over, but the winter plan should remain flexible about both species and fishing grounds.
Compare identification, habitat, seasonal patterns and fishing methods for 20 species found around Los Cabos, with handling and release guidance for each.
Compare target species, techniques and trip requirements to decide which type of fishing suits your group.
Los Cabos fishing tournaments
Find offshore and shore-fishing events, registration dates, fishing days and weigh-in information. Each listing links to the organizer’s schedules and rules.
