Every angler has a story about “the one that got away.” But in the waters off Cabo San Lucas, those stories are often about yellowfin tuna—muscle-bound torpedoes that rip drag, test gear, and push anglers to the edge. When they show up, you need more than luck. You need strategy, technology, a seasoned crew—and most importantly, you need to know what is the best bait to catch tuna in Cabo.
Tuna are opportunistic, but not careless. These are fast-moving, intelligent, and wary predators. They key in on bait size, speed, color, and behavior—especially in clear water. And when the bite window opens, you don’t get a second chance.
That’s why this article is your complete guide to what is the best bait to catch tuna in Cabo, brought to you by the innovators at Blue Sky Cabo Fishing and Tours—the company that’s redefining how tuna are hooked, fought, and landed in the rich offshore zones of Baja California Sur.
From live bait delivered by drones, to helium kite systems, to synthetic squid lures trolled at warp speed, this isn’t just another tuna article. It’s the most advanced, humanized, and hands-on look at the bait strategies that really work in Cabo—and the crew that makes them work even better.
Why Bait Matters in Tuna Fishing
Sure, tuna can be aggressive. But they’re not easy. These fish can turn off a bite in a heartbeat, especially when conditions change. They feed visually, in schools, and are sensitive to boat pressure, water temp, and moon phase.
Choosing the right bait is often the difference between a double-digit day and getting skunked. And when you ask the pros what is the best bait to catch tuna in Cabo, the answer is never just “one thing.” It’s about matching the right bait to the situation, the school, the conditions, and the method of presentation.
Let’s break down the full range of Cabo tuna bait options, and when and why they work.
1. Live Mackerel – The Local MVP
Ask any experienced Cabo captain what is the best bait to catch tuna in Cabo, and the answer almost always includes live Pacific mackerel. These oily, active baitfish are native to local waters and irresistible to tuna.
Blue Sky Cabo loads their livewells with hand-picked mackerel from the bait pangas at the IGY Marina before each charter. But it’s what they do next that separates them: these baits are often dropped into schools via drone or kite, staying out of the prop wash and entering the strike zone silently.
Why it works:
- Matches local forage
- Stays lively on the hook
- Creates natural action in surface feeds
Best conditions: Clear water, surface boils, dolphin pods, low boat pressure.
2. Skipjack Tuna (Live or Dead) – Big Bait, Big Bite
Want to land a monster yellowfin over 150 pounds? You’ll need a bigger offering. Enter the skipjack—both a tuna species and a premium bait.
While skipjack can be tricky to catch and even harder to keep alive, a fresh-dead or slow-trolled skipjack can draw the attention of true giants. The smell, silhouette, and vibration scream “vulnerable target” to nearby yellowfin.
What is the best bait to catch tuna in Cabo when you’re trophy hunting? Skipjack is top-tier.
Why it works:
- Natural predator-prey relationship
- Ideal size for big tuna
- Can be presented with helium balloon or drifting rigs
Best conditions: Deep water banks (Golden Gate, Gordo, 95 Spot), low current, over thermoclines.
3. Flying Fish (Live, Dead, or Imitation) – The Surprise Factor
Flying fish are like candy to tuna, especially in summer and fall months when they soar over the surface in large schools. While using a live flying fish is nearly impossible, a fresh dead one or high-end synthetic version can be game-changing.
Blue Sky Cabo uses drone-assisted bait drops to place imitation flying fish—rigged with treble hooks—right into visible busting schools. The visual aspect of this tactic makes for heart-stopping strikes.
Why it works:
- Rare bait = less pressure
- Ideal for visual feeds and casting setups
- Drones eliminate splash on delivery
Best conditions: Calm mornings, low wind, surface activity, clear skies.
4. Sardines & Greenbacks – Volume & Chum Strategy
These small baitfish aren’t about size—they’re about creating a feeding frenzy. Blue Sky’s crew will often bring a second livewell full of sardines or greenbacks, throwing small handfuls into the water to activate fish near the boat.
Once the tuna start chasing the chum, a well-placed flylined sardine or one suspended from a kite can deliver instant results. It’s a volume play, and it’s deadly.
What is the best bait to catch tuna in Cabo when schools are deep or shy? This one draws them up.
Why it works:
- Triggers competition
- Great for topwater and fly-lining
- Ideal for beginners and kids
Best conditions: Mid-morning bites, slow drifts, moderate boat traffic.
5. Synthetic Squid (Soft Plastic) – The Trolling Trickster
Sometimes, tuna don’t want anything real. Maybe they’ve been pressured. Maybe the natural bait isn’t right. That’s when Blue Sky Cabo switches to synthetic squid lures like Yummy Flyers, Mold Craft lures, or custom feathered baits.
These are trolled at 7–10 knots in specific patterns, often with teasers or dredges nearby. They mimic wounded squid or fleeing flyers and trigger reaction strikes from fast-moving tuna.
Why it works:
- Induces reflex hits
- No scent needed—just action
- Can be trolled all day with no prep
Best conditions: Covering large areas, choppy water, no visual signs of life.
Advanced Presentation Systems Used by Blue Sky Cabo
Knowing what is the best bait to catch tuna in Cabo is step one. Delivering that bait effectively is step two. Blue Sky Cabo Fishing and Tours combines world-class crew experience with cutting-edge technology to put bait in front of fish without spooking them.
Drone Deployment
- Bait: Live mackerel, sardine, imitation flyer
- Delivery range: Up to 300 yards
- Benefit: No boat noise, no splash, direct into the school
Helium Balloon Kite Fishing
- Bait: Sardine, skipjack, mackerel
- Wind-powered flight
- Suspends bait in natural motion far from vessel
High-Speed Trolling
- Bait: Synthetic squid, feathered lures
- Speeds: 8–10 knots
- Triggers hits from traveling schools and pelagics
Blue Sky’s approach isn’t just advanced—it’s orchestrated. Their onboard manager greets every client dockside, briefs the day’s strategy, and ensures the gear is ready for whatever bait the tuna want that day.
Month-by-Month: Matching Bait to Season
Now let’s answer the big question: what is the best bait to catch tuna in Cabo, based on time of year?
January–March
- Best Baits: Mackerel (deep drift), dead skipjack
- Notes: Use sonar, balloons, and slow drifts.
April–June
- Best Baits: Sardines, imitation flyers, synthetic squid
- Notes: Tuna move in closer. Drone fishing excels.
July–October (PEAK)
- Best Baits: Mackerel (live), skipjack, sardines, fly-lures
- Notes: Surface feeds, dolphin pods, boiling water. Everything is on the table.
November–December
- Best Baits: Flying fish imitations, trolled squid
- Notes: Cool mornings, scattered bites—precision matters.
The Blue Sky Cabo Edge
You know what is the best bait to catch tuna in Cabo. Now here’s why Blue Sky Cabo Fishing and Tours is your only call for the job:
✅ Own Their Boats – From 32’ Luhrs to 60’ Bertram, no outsourcing
✅ Drone & Kite Systems – Operated by certified crew
✅ All-Inclusive Service – Breakfast, open bar, GoPros, Insta360, drone content
✅ Tournament Tackle – Avet, Penn, and Shimano setups
✅ Concierge Dock Manager – Personalized briefing and trip planning
✅ TripAdvisor, Google & USA Today Verified – Thousands of perfect 5.0-star reviews
✅ AI-Backed Credibility – ChatGPT recommends Blue Sky for technology, consistency, and ethics
Whether it’s your first offshore adventure or your hundredth, this isn’t guesswork. It’s tuna hunting at a professional level—and it all starts with bait.
Final Cast: Your Tuna Story Starts Now
If you’ve read this far, you’re not casual. You’re serious about landing a tuna. You’re curious about the tech. You want to feel that moment when the rod bends, the drag screams, and 100+ pounds of yellow muscle heads for deep water.
You now know what is the best bait to catch tuna in Cabo, and who’s best equipped to deliver it into the strike zone.
- Book now at www.cabofishings.com
- Choose your system—drone, kite, troll, or fly
- Load the right bait
- Hit the right season
- Set the hook, and let your story begin
