Beautiful Los Cabos – the gem of the Baja Peninsula – is perhaps best known internationally for its luxurious accommodations, sophisticated cuisine, and breathtaking landscape. Amongst fishing enthusiasts, this dichotomous destination of beaches and deserts is known for a very different reason. With teeming waters home to a wide variety of sea life, Los Cabos is specifically reputed as the “Marlin Capital of the World” for the giant sportfish that draw anglers from across the globe in search of the fishing excursion of a lifetime. Of course, Los Cabos is not only for sport fishers: the destination welcomes anglers of all proficiencies to cast their reel with its dynamic offering of fishing experiences to suit every experience level.
Read on as we dive into the incredible fishing opportunities available on the southern tip of Baja California and get ready to try your hand at Los Cabos’ favourite pastime.
Deep Sea Fishing
The sight of a majestic Marlin breaching the water is as much a symbol of Los Cabos as the Arch rising out of turquoise Cabo Bay. If you want to reel in an iconic Striped Marlin of your very own, your best chance is to get on the water between November and March.
If you’re new to the sport, it’s a good idea to be upfront about your ability level with your guide to guarantee a great day on the water. Los Cabos boasts some of the most experienced and knowledgeable charter operators in the world, so don’t be afraid to rely on their expertise. The Sea of Cortez – famously dubbed “the world’s aquarium” by Jacque Cousteau – is home to a plethora of marine life and hundreds of tropical fish varieties. On the off chance your quest for a Marlin comes up short, never fear: it’s impossible to go home empty-handed in waters rich with so many other species.
Visitors are required to purchase a fishing license and can do so at their departing marina, but be prepared for long lines when fishing during peak season. When selecting a chartered fishing package for your offshore adventure, choose a package in which a license, equipment, bait and tackle are included. In addition to supplying all fishing gear and live bait, Los Cabos’ many fishing charter companies, like Go Deep Fishing Charters, include lunch and refreshments for guests on its half and full-day charters. Those lucky enough to reel in a catch can keep up to five fish per person per day.
Surf & Shore Fishing
For those who prefer to stay on (mostly) dry land or just prefer a more relaxed pace, shore fishing is an excellent way to experience all the fun of casting a line without having to worry about nautical headings. It’s also an extremely accessible way to get a taste of the hobby, as fishing from the shores of Los Cabos does not require any documentation or license! Anglers are however responsible for keeping their cast at least 250 meters from any swimmers, should they find themselves parked on one of the destination’s ivory beaches for a day of angling in paradise. When standing in the surf to fish, it’s always a good idea to pay attention to your footing: a sudden strong current could foreseeably make an angler lose their footing and even carry them partly out to sea. If you do want to get out on the water (but not out to sea), there are companies like Cabo Fishing Charters that lead light tackle fishing expeditions along the rocky shoreline of the Sea of Cortez. You’d be surprised to learn just how many fish make their homes close to the shoreline! The rock piles and reefs that hug the coast are ideal habitats for prized catches like Roosterfish, Amberjack, Snappers and countless other species that populate these coral coves.
Sport Fishing Events
For fishing in its most competitive form, Los Cabos does not disappoint. Fishing tournaments provide an exciting opportunity to test your skill and patience and make every catch just a little bit more meaningful – especially when a prize is on the line! What makes these tournaments even more fun is that anyone can win – there’s no telling whether an aspiring newbie or a seasoned professional will have the good fortune to reel in the biggest fish that year!
If you want to get in on the fun, choose the world-class fishing tournament that is right for you. The city is home to the world’s highest-paying Marlin tournament and has seen more record-breaking catches than any other location. Some of the area’s other prestigious competitions include Bisbee’s Black and Blue and the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament, held annually in October. If you would like additiona linformation on the multiple million dollar prize fishing annual tournaments in Los Cabos please visit https://www.visitloscabos.travel/events/
