We get loads of emails asking us questions about fishing in Cabo – so many that we kept a running list until we had a good idea of what people wanted or needed to know before they hop on a plane to visit. Most things you need to know are covered here, but if you can't find your answers here, feel free to drop us an email and we'll get back to you with the answers.
Pretty much all year long is a good time. Sure, specific seasons offer the best chance for certain species, but all in all, there really isn't a bad time of year save for Winter in the East Cape as it get's very windy with fishable days often far and few in between. For more in-depth information on when specific fish are in peak season, take a look at our Cabo Fishing Seasons Chart.
Everyone on board a vessel carrying fishing equipment must have a license. If you're going out for a day of fishing on a boat – charter or a private boat – you and everyone aboard will need a fishing license whether fishing or not. The only exception is for surf fishing – no license is required to fish anywhere from land.
If you're booking a fishing charter with a reputable company, they'll most likely help you with your fishing licenses. If not, visit www.sportfishingbcs.gob.mx to purchase licenses for a single day, a week, month or up to one year. Another option is www.mexpermits.com which, as far as we know, is the only US based provider of Mexican Fishing Permits sanctioned by the Government of Baja California Sur, which includes Los Cabos.
If you're looking for the complete set of fishing regulations for Mexico, the best answer we can give is to check with Conapesca, Mexico's version of Fish and Game. Their website is in Spanish with some English translation. The regulations we've been able to find are fairly lean but they can and have changed from time to time. These are the latest we're aware of but we can't guarantee the accuracy going forward.
You can, but it's really not necessary. Most charter boats have sufficient gear on board including rods, reels, terminal tackle and lures.
The basics. Sunblock, preferably waterproof, a good hat, long sleeve shirt or jacket for cold mornings and to protect you from the sun and some form of legal ID. Why? Well you have a fishing license with your name on it, you may have to prove that it's really you! You should also make arrangements with your charter provider for food and drinks. You can bring your own, but for convenience sake it's easier to have them handle it so all you need to do is have fun and fish. For more info on charter preparedness, read our article about chartering safely and securely in Los Cabos.
Should no strike occur but you spot a marlin coming up the spread, drop back both a live and dead bait and try to put them right in its face. At times, marlin will come up mouths wide open and a seasoned angler can literally drop a bait back right down its throat. Dead bait is easier to position than live in this instance and are often jumped on, especially by blacks. We'll assume you're using a circle hook on your baits – if not, you should be – so don't worry about the fish swallowing the bait and getting gut hooked. Let her eat.... then slowly bring up your drag pressure and the circle hook will slide up her gullet and found a home in the corner of her mouth.
If you're susceptible to motion sickness, bring some Dramamine or similar meds with you and take them the night before and again in the morning before you get on the boat. Taking it once you're on the water usually won't help much. And by all means, it's best to avoid alcholic drinks the night before. Some people say there's nothing worse than a bad case of seasickness but add a hangover and you've got a whole new beast to ruin your day. Your charter provider will return to port should you feel too ill but don't expect a refund of any kind.
Any reputable charter service will refund your money if the port is closed for weather related reasons or if the boat you reserved is out of service. If the reason you can't make the charter is your fault, it's usually your problem and a refund isn't coming your way. Still, take the time to get in touch with your charter provider. Many have big hearts and smart business minds and may make exceptions to that rule from time to time. The key is to be nice, be polite and show them some respect. Like they say, you catch more flies with honey than with... well, you know.
If you're a decent human being, you should. While a life of taking folks fishing sounds like fun, it's hard work with long hours. The crews often spend hours working on their boats and gear each and everyday, even on days they had charters. Plus they don't make much. As a rule, 15% is standard but just like when you get a great meal and service at a restaurant, going beyond that percentage is the right thing to do. And, just because the fishing might not have been great, as long as your crew worked hard to put you on fish, you should still tip.
Absolutely. But there's some things you need to know to keep your expenses down and your catch in good condition. First, only hard-sided coolers can be used to transport fish. The fish must be frozen to ensure no spoilage during the trip home, especially if unexpected delays or flight cancellations occur. No ice can be packed in with the fish. It's best to limit your total weight, cooler and fish combined, to less than 50 pounds or you're in for some pretty stiff overweight fees or worse yet, oversized luggage fees.
For processing your fish for the flight home, we recommend Gricelda's Smokehouse in Cabo. They can filet, vacuum pack and freeze your catch plus both offer smoking services as well. You'll pick up your catch the day of your departure. Pack it in your cooler and head to the airport. Once you've cleared the check-in process, the agents will let you seal up your cooler with duct tape to prevent leakage and keep your catch safely enclosed and cold for the trip home. Make sure you bring your own tape as the airport may not have any available. If your cooler isn't full, pack some of your dirty clothes on top of your fish for extra insulation.