The Ultimate Guide to the Cabo Fishing Calendar and How It Shapes the Fishing Experience in Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas, nestled at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, is a global hotspot for sport fishing, drawing anglers from all over the world. Its unique location, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez, creates a thriving marine ecosystem that changes with the seasons. This seasonal flow is meticulously tracked through the Cabo fishing calendar, a valuable resource that dictates when and where fishing charter companies like Blue Sky Cabo take their clients to maximize their chances of a successful and unforgettable fishing experience.
With a fleet of four versatile vessels—ranging from the intimate 32-foot Luhrs to the luxurious 60-foot Bertram—Blue Sky Cabo Fishing and Tours offers year-round charters tailored to the species and hotspots dictated by the Cabo fishing calendar. Let’s dive into how each month and season affects the fishing grounds in and around Cabo San Lucas, detailing where Blue Sky Cabo ventures to find the most coveted catches and the techniques used to land them.
January – March: The Start of the Season
- Species: Striped Marlin, Yellowtail, Roosterfish, Grouper
- Key Locations: Poza Cotur, Golden Gate, Hacienda Encantada Rocks
During the early months of the year, striped marlin are the stars of the Cabo fishing scene. These powerful fish are abundant in January, February, and March, often found around hotspots like Poza Cotur and Golden Gate. Blue Sky Cabo’s captains use live bait, such as mackerel and sardines, to entice marlin. Trolling with teasers and lures is another popular technique, especially in deeper waters near Golden Gate.
Yellowtail and grouper make their presence known around Hacienda Encantada Rocks, an area known for its rocky underwater structure, ideal for bottom fishing. Anglers aboard Blue Sky Cabo’s fleet use jigging and bottom rigs to target these species, with grouper often found lurking near the rocks and yellowtail swimming closer to the surface. Roosterfish are also present along the Pacific side, particularly near the Smaller Arch, offering exciting inshore action for those seeking a thrilling fight.
April – June: Spring Abundance
- Species: Dorado, Roosterfish, Jack Crevalle, Snapper
- Key Locations: The Smaller Arch, Hacienda Encantada Rocks, Gordo Banks
Springtime ushers in warmer waters, attracting dorado (mahi-mahi) and roosterfish closer to Cabo’s shores. Blue Sky Cabo’s captains know that this is the perfect time to venture near the Smaller Arch on the Pacific side, where roosterfish patrol the surf. Using live bait or poppers along the surface, anglers can experience heart-pounding topwater action.
Snapper and jack crevalle are commonly found near Hacienda Encantada Rocks, with bottom fishing rigs and jigs being the preferred methods. The deeper waters of Gordo Banks also come alive during this season, with anglers targeting larger snapper and dorado using trolling techniques or drift fishing with live bait.
July – September: Prime Time for Big-Game Fishing
- Species: Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Dorado
- Key Locations: Gordo Banks, South of the Arch, Golden Gate
The summer months are when Cabo San Lucas transforms into a paradise for big-game anglers. The Cabo fishing calendar highlights this period as peak season for blue and black marlin, with these magnificent species patrolling the deeper waters off Gordo Banks and Golden Gate. Blue Sky Cabo’s captains often use a combination of large trolling lures and teasers to attract marlin, creating a visual spectacle that leaves anglers in awe.
Yellowfin tuna make their way to the waters south of the Arch, where anglers can engage in exhilarating battles using kite fishing techniques and live bait rigs. Tuna are known for their speed and strength, making this an unforgettable challenge for even the most experienced fishermen. Dorado continue to thrive, often caught while trolling in the same areas, adding variety to the catch.
October – December: The Grand Finale
- Species: Striped Marlin, Dorado, Wahoo, Tuna
- Key Locations: Finger Banks, South of the Arch, Gordo Banks
As the year winds down, the Cabo fishing calendar marks October through December as a prime time for striped marlin and dorado. The legendary Finger Banks become a focal point for Blue Sky Cabo’s fleet, especially in late November and December. This remote area, approximately 50 miles north of Cabo, is renowned for its incredible marlin action, often leading to multiple hookups in a single day.
Dorado and wahoo also thrive during these months, providing anglers with the chance to land a variety of species. Trolling with artificial lures and live bait near the Finger Banks and south of the Arch yields excellent results. Tuna remain abundant south of the Arch, particularly in December, when Blue Sky Cabo’s captains utilize chumming and drift fishing techniques to attract these powerful fish.
Breaking Down the Cabo Fishing Calendar by Species and Techniques
Striped Marlin
- Season: January to March, October to December
- Best Locations: Poza Cotur, Golden Gate, Finger Banks
- Techniques: Live bait, trolling with teasers, lures
Blue and Black Marlin
- Season: July to September
- Best Locations: Gordo Banks, Golden Gate
- Techniques: Trolling with large lures, teasers
Dorado (Mahi-Mahi)
- Season: April to June, October to December
- Best Locations: Hacienda Encantada Rocks, Gordo Banks, Finger Banks
- Techniques: Trolling, drift fishing
Yellowfin Tuna
- Season: July to December
- Best Locations: South of the Arch, Gordo Banks
- Techniques: Kite fishing, live bait, chumming
Roosterfish
- Season: January to June
- Best Locations: Smaller Arch, Pacific shoreline
- Techniques: Live bait, surface poppers
Grouper and Snapper
- Season: Year-round
- Best Locations: Hacienda Encantada Rocks
- Techniques: Bottom fishing, jigging
Wahoo
- Season: October to December
- Best Locations: Finger Banks, South of the Arch
- Techniques: Trolling with high-speed lures
Why Blue Sky Cabo Follows the Cabo Fishing Calendar
Understanding the Cabo fishing calendar allows Blue Sky Cabo to deliver exceptional fishing experiences year-round. Their ability to adapt to seasonal changes and target specific species in designated areas ensures that clients enjoy both the thrill of the catch and the beauty of Cabo’s diverse marine environment.
With four boats in their fleet, Blue Sky Cabo can cater to various fishing preferences, from inshore fishing for roosterfish to offshore marlin expeditions. Their captains’ deep knowledge of the Cabo fishing calendar and the area’s fishing grounds guarantees a tailored and memorable adventure for every angler.
Final Thoughts
The Cabo fishing calendar is more than just a guide; it’s a blueprint for maximizing success and enjoyment on the water. By aligning their operations with this calendar, Blue Sky Cabo Fishing and Tours ensures that each charter is perfectly timed to coincide with the peak seasons of Cabo’s most sought-after species. Whether you’re chasing marlin at the Finger Banks, reeling in tuna south of the Arch, or targeting grouper near Hacienda Encantada Rocks, the Cabo fishing calendar ensures that your fishing adventure in Cabo San Lucas will be nothing short of extraordinary.
