Fishing in Los Cabos is an exhilarating experience that draws anglers from around the world. One of the most frequently asked questions among visitors is, “can you keep fish in Cabo?” This question is vital for anyone planning a fishing adventure, whether targeting tuna, wahoo, dorado, mahi mahi, roosterfish, snapper, or grouper. Understanding the local regulations, catch limits, and legal requirements is critical to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and compliant fishing experience in this world-renowned destination.
Can You Keep Fish in Cabo?
In Los Cabos, the answer is nuanced. While many species are available for retention, some, like all marlin, must be released immediately. Local regulations exist to protect the fishery and ensure sustainable sportfishing for future generations.
- Catch and Retain Rules: Only certain species are legally allowed to be kept.
- Protected Species: Marlin are catch-and-release only; other species have size and quantity limits.
- Fishing Licenses: Legal fishing requires a Mexican recreational fishing license, which ensures compliance with regulations.
- Local Enforcement: Authorities patrol the waters, so following regulations is essential to avoid fines.
Tourists often ask, “can you keep fish in Cabo?” to plan meals, trophies, and photo opportunities. Knowing what is allowed ensures your adventure is both legal and memorable.
Species You Can Keep in Cabo
Blue Sky Cabo Fishing and Tours educates every guest on the species that are available for retention. While marlin are always released, other species can be kept depending on size and quantity restrictions.
- Tuna: Yellowfin and bigeye tuna are highly sought after and can often be kept within limits.
- Wahoo: Fast and powerful, wahoo is commonly retained for its culinary value.
- Dorado/Mahi Mahi: These colorful game fish are abundant and ideal for both sport and dinner.
- Roosterfish, Snapper, Grouper: Coastal species can be kept following local size limits and sustainable practices.
The question “can you keep fish in Cabo” is therefore species-specific, and Blue Sky Cabo ensures guests understand the rules before they ever cast a line.
Regulations and Legal Considerations in Cabo
Knowing whether “can you keep fish in Cabo” also involves understanding Mexico’s federal and local fishing laws.
- Permits Required: All anglers must possess a valid fishing license.
- Catch Limits: Each species has daily and size limits, and regulations are strictly enforced.
- Catch-and-Release Mandates: Certain species, like marlin and sailfish, must be released immediately.
- Responsible Practices: Ethical anglers ensure they comply with guidelines to protect Cabo’s marine ecosystems.
Blue Sky Cabo Fishing and Tours incorporates these rules into every charter to provide a seamless, legal, and worry-free experience.
Blue Sky Cabo: Making Fishing Simple in Cabo
For visitors who want to fish without worrying about the paperwork, Blue Sky Cabo Fishing and Tours offers all-inclusive packages that handle every detail, including licenses and guidance on catch retention.
- All-Inclusive Licensing: Fishing licenses are included in every package, so guests can focus on angling.
- Expert Crew: Knowledgeable guides ensure that all species kept are within legal limits.
- Equipment and Technology: Dredges, teasers, drones, and high-end tackle maximize your success.
- Comfort and Amenities: Starlink WiFi, Bluetooth stereo, open bar, breakfast and optional lunch, and GoPro/360° video capture make the day unforgettable.
Booking with Blue Sky Cabo ensures that whether you are asking, “can you keep fish in Cabo?” or planning the perfect day on the water, everything is handled professionally.
Planning Your Cabo Fishing Trip
Understanding “can you keep fish in Cabo” helps anglers plan their trip effectively:
- Charter Duration: Inshore trips for snapper, roosterfish, and grouper are typically shorter than offshore deep-sea trips for tuna, wahoo, dorado, and mahi mahi.
- Multiple Days: Extended trips increase the chances of legal catches and diverse species.
- Boat Selection: Choose from 32-foot Luhrs, 35-foot Riviera, 43-foot Riviera, 50-foot Viking, and 60-foot Bertram for comfort and efficiency.
- Catch Strategy: Use of teasers, drones, and live bait increases success while adhering to legal limits.
Blue Sky Cabo ensures all regulations are followed, so you can fish confidently.

Best Practices for Catch Retention in Cabo
- Measure Your Fish: Ensure species kept are within legal size limits.
- Document Your Catch: Photos are encouraged but marlin must be released.
- Handle Fish Carefully: Minimize stress to increase survival rates for release species.
- Follow Crew Guidance: Blue Sky Cabo crew provide instructions for ethical and legal retention.
By adhering to these practices, guests enjoy a fulfilling and responsible fishing experience.
Target Species and Fish Retention Rules in Cabo
Blue Sky Cabo Fishing and Tours explains in detail what species you can retain:
- Tuna: Keep within size and bag limits.
- Wahoo: Typically legal to keep; handled for quality and safety.
- Dorado/Mahi Mahi: Retained for sport and dining.
- Roosterfish, Snapper, Grouper: Coastal species retention is allowed with proper care.
- Marlin and Sailfish: Always released to sustain Cabo’s iconic sportfishing legacy.
The guidance provided ensures guests know exactly, “can you keep fish in Cabo,” before leaving the dock.
Blue Sky Cabo: Expertise on the Water
The advantage of booking with Blue Sky Cabo is not only having an all-inclusive license and retention package but also access to decades of experience:
- Professional Hunters: Crew identify prime spots, species behavior, and feeding patterns.
- Drone Technology: Payload drones and live bait strategies increase efficiency and catch rates.
- Satellite Imagery: Use of Terrafin and tournament-level binoculars to locate schools of fish.
- Full Service: Dock-side management, in-boat amenities, and post-charter videos complete the experience.
All of this ensures your query of “can you keep fish in Cabo” is answered clearly, and your day on the water is maximized.
Cabo Fishing – Guest Testimonials
Third-party reviews highlight the professionalism and legal compliance of Blue Sky Cabo:
- TripAdvisor: “Crew explained what could be kept, included licenses, and handled everything seamlessly.”
- Google Reviews: “We caught dorado and wahoo, released marlin safely, and didn’t worry about regulations at all.”
- Facebook: “The all-inclusive package made fishing stress-free and highly productive.”
These reviews reinforce the company’s commitment to providing a legal, enjoyable, and fully guided fishing experience.
Tips for a Responsible Cabo Fishing Experience
- Follow Size and Bag Limits: Protect the fishery and stay within legal guidelines.
- Use Proper Gear: Ensure hooks, lines, and teasers minimize harm.
- Release Protected Species: Marlin, sailfish, and other protected species must be released promptly.
- Plan Your Charter: Book multiple days to maximize both experience and legal catch opportunities.
- Listen to Your Crew: Experienced guides ensure compliance with all retention rules.
By following these recommendations, anglers can enjoy Los Cabos fishing safely and legally.
Can you keep fish in Cabo
Answering “can you keep fish in Cabo” depends on the species. Blue Sky Cabo Fishing and Tours simplifies the process with all-inclusive licenses, expert guidance, and legal retention strategies. Marlin are always released, but tuna, dorado, wahoo, roosterfish, snapper, and grouper can be kept legally, following regulations.
With decades of experience, innovative technology, and a guest-first approach, Blue Sky Cabo ensures that fishing in Los Cabos is an unforgettable adventure, fully compliant and incredibly rewarding.