The Magic of Cabo San Lucas: Why Anglers Flock to the Tip of Baja
Cabo San Lucas, with its raw natural beauty, sapphire-blue waters, and heart-pounding offshore action, is a siren call to anglers from all over the globe. But if you’re one of the many planning your once-in-a-lifetime Cabo fishing charter, you’ve likely asked the golden question: what is the best time to fish in Cabo? This question isn’t just a fleeting thought—it’s a key to unlocking the ultimate experience in the world’s most electrifying fishery. And yes, it’s a question that deserves far more than a quick answer.
Cabo enjoys more than 355 days of sunshine per year, warm temperatures year-round, and conditions that often defy the need to venture too far offshore. Whether you’re a seasoned offshore angler or a first-time adventurer, asking what is the best time to fish in Cabo is the first step in planning an extraordinary marine adventure.
Let’s dive into the layered reality of this question by exploring not just the calendar, but also the science of the sea—weather, wind speed, water clarity, moon phases—and the real-time, boots-on-deck, salt-in-the-eyes insight that only local captains and seasoned crews can provide.
Cabo Fishing Charters Run on More Than Luck—They Run on Strategy
Sure, luck plays a part in any fishing trip, but the true magic of Cabo fishing charters lies in the combination of cutting-edge tools and boots-on-the-ground knowledge. Today’s top-rated charters like Blue Sky Cabo combine traditional wisdom with tech-forward strategies like ROFFS satellite services, Terrafin, and even Starlink WiFi—turning a Cabo trip into a world-class fish-tracking mission.
So, what is the best time to fish in Cabo? It depends. And that’s a good thing. It means there’s always something biting if you know where to go, and more importantly, when to go.
Understanding Seasonal Fish Behavior in Cabo Waters
To answer what is the best time to fish in Cabo, we have to look at what species you’re targeting. The sea calendar in Cabo is full of peaks and surprises. While the waters remain productive throughout the year, certain species show up with show-stopping strength in specific months. Here’s a breakdown of seasonality by species:
Striped Marlin – Cabo’s Superstar
If your idea of angling paradise includes a hard-fighting marlin, you’re in the right place. Striped marlin are around nearly all year, but their numbers swell from November to April, making those months a hotbed for targeting this sleek, athletic predator.
The answer to what is the best time to fish in Cabo might just be during this striped marlin explosion, especially when you combine their presence with clear water, cooler currents, and predictable moon phases that trigger aggressive feeding behavior. Local captains know when to hit the bite window, often using sonar, bird activity, and captain-to-captain radio chatter as their guide.
Dorado (Mahi-Mahi)
These golden torpedoes start showing up in good numbers in late summer through early winter, typically August to December. The visual thrill of seeing them chase baitfish near the surface is unforgettable. They are responsive to bright-colored lures, trolled ballyhoo, and teaser spread tactics enhanced by dredge rentals like those offered by Blue Sky Cabo. Combine the right water temperature, good visibility, and a little local intel, and you’ve got a Dorado daydream in the making.
Tuna (Yellowfin)
For many, what is the best time to fish in Cabo becomes a quest for yellowfin tuna. These torpedoes of muscle frequent the Cabo banks from July through October, though they sometimes surprise anglers in winter. Known for their brute strength and school-feeding behavior, yellowfin demand an arsenal of tools: poppers, live bait, and satellite imagery to locate temperature breaks or plankton-rich waters. The longer runs—sometimes 20 miles out—are worth every second when you hook a 100+ pound fish.
Roosterfish
Want an exotic inshore fight with a fish that looks like it belongs in a comic book? Roosterfish are your jam. Best targeted from May through September, they often lurk in surf zones, rocky outcrops, and near beaches. The benefit here is you don’t need to run far—sometimes only a mile or two from shore—to find action that rivals offshore pursuits.
Grouper and Snapper
These deep dwellers aren’t just delicious—they’re strategic. Found near rocky bottoms and reefs, they bite year-round but respond best to slow-trolling jigs and live baits when water clarity is stable. If you’re wondering what is the best time to fish in Cabo for these species, try late winter to spring, when many locals switch gears to bottom fishing to beat windy offshore conditions.
Wahoo
The fastest fish in the ocean is best targeted October through January. Often shadowing the outer reef lines and bait-rich ledges, wahoo are easily influenced by moon phase and water temperature. That’s why captains using ROFFS and Terrafin get the edge—they know exactly when those temperature bands stack up with bait clouds.
Sailfish
Summer’s banner flagfish shows up from June through August, blending speed, aerobatics, and showmanship. If your idea of answering what is the best time to fish in Cabo involves acrobatic leaps and dancing silver sails, then warm summer currents are your friend.
Sharks
Makos, hammerheads, and threshers make sporadic appearances but are best targeted March through June. Not for the faint of heart, but perfect for thrill-seekers.
The Local Cabo Advantage: Insider Intel and Captain Communication
You could subscribe to every satellite service and still not outperform the good old-fashioned network of Cabo fishing charter captains who talk daily. These skippers—many of whom are related, childhood friends, or simply seasoned allies—share up-to-the-minute info over radio. This hyper-local knowledge is pure gold.
Why? Because the fish don’t read forecasts. They follow bait. They chase temperature. They react to pressure systems, moonlight, and tidal pulses. And those subtle variables are best interpreted by the people who’ve spent a lifetime on these waters.
So when asking what is the best time to fish in Cabo, realize that it’s as much about who you’re with as when you go. Captains who know the “code” can shift plans in real time—from cruising the Sea of Cortez to pivoting up north toward Cerritos, or anchoring close to Pedregal.
Wind Speed, Weather, and Moon Phase: Nature’s Influencers
Even in paradise, nature is boss. Here’s how these natural factors influence what is the best time to fish in Cabo:
- Wind Speed: Calm days make for better trolling and bait presentation. Fall and spring often bring smoother seas.
- Weather: With over 355 sunny days a year, weather isn’t usually an issue—but slight drops in barometric pressure can wake up predator species.
- Water Clarity: Key for species like wahoo and dorado. Green water can shut down a bite in seconds.
- Moon Phase: New and full moons ignite feeding frenzies. Planning around these lunar phases is a pro move.
Cabo Fishing Doesn’t Always Mean Deep Sea
One of the great truths of fishing in Cabo is that the fish often come to you. Unlike many global fisheries that require half-day transits to reach pelagic zones, Cabo benefits from an underwater canyon that begins less than a mile from shore. That means your Cabo fishing charter can begin catching within minutes.
Whether it’s a 45-minute hop to a dorado school or a two-hour sprint to a tuna bank, the point is this: what is the best time to fish in Cabo is also about how quickly you can get on fish. In Cabo, the answer is usually: immediately.
Satellite Tech Meets Old-School Grit
Modern tech like Terrafin, ROFFS, and Starlink has revolutionized fishing in Cabo. Satellite temperature maps, chlorophyll indicators, and bait movement overlays help captains home in on productive waters. Blue Sky Cabo enhances this experience by offering Starlink on board—not only for safety and real-time updates, but also for clients to check work emails, livestream catches, or send photos to jealous friends back home.
Blue Sky Cabo: Where Service Meets Saltwater
Ask around, and you’ll hear the name Blue Sky Cabo over and over—for good reason. With a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor, over 2,350 five-star reviews on Google, and recognition from USA Today as the top tour company in Cabo, they’re not just meeting expectations—they’re blowing them out of the water.
From Starlink WiFi, drone footage ($15/hour with pilot fees only), to an exclusive money-back guarantee dredge rental program (check it here), every detail screams quality and commitment. The company also ensures each trip is hosted in English and managed by dock master Keith, who checks in with every group before and after departure.
Whether you’re planning your first trip or your fifth, knowing what is the best time to fish in Cabo becomes a lot easier when you’re in expert hands. Reach them at info@blueskycabo.com, WhatsApp +1.480.635.2965, or find them on Facebook and Instagram @blueskycabo.
