Your insiders guide to fishing in CABO!
Cabo San Lucas, located on the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, is a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts. The clear blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez provide a rich environment for a variety of fish species, making it one of the world's top fishing destinations.
One of the most popular fish species caught in Cabo San Lucas is the marlin. This large predatory fish can be found in the waters surrounding the area throughout the year, but the peak season for catching marlin is from June to October. The blue marlin, in particular, is highly sought after by anglers due to its size and strength. Other species of marlin, such as the black and striped marlin, can also be found in the waters around Cabo San Lucas.
Another popular species in Cabo is the yellowfin tuna. This fast and agile fish is also caught year-round, but the best time to catch it is during the summer months. Tuna fishing trips in Cabo can be an exciting and challenging experience, as the fish can weigh up to hundreds of pounds and put up a strong fight.
In addition to marlin and tuna, Cabo is also home to a variety of other fish species. Dorado, also known as mahi-mahi, can be caught from June to October and is known for its bright colors and delicious flavor. Wahoo, another predatory fish, can be found in the waters around Cabo from October to February. Additionally, roosterfish, sierra, and pargo can also be caught in the area.
Fishing trips in Cabo can be arranged through local charter companies. Anglers can choose from half-day trips, full-day trips, and even multi-day trips, depending on their preferences and schedules. The boats used for fishing trips are equipped with all the necessary gear, including rods, reels, bait, and tackle. Here is an insiders tip: To arrange for your perfect fishing expedition call Luis at Three Brothers +52 624 265 8305 and let him know you are friends of Villa La Estancia #3301. https://www.villalaestancia3301.com
You can’t fish in Cabo without knowing some history on the most famous fishing tournament in the WORLD. You need to watch “Blue Miracle” starring Dennis Quade. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7084386/. This will get you excited for The Bisbee Fishing Tournament.
The Bisbee Fishing Tournament, held annually (in October) in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, is one of the largest and most prestigious fishing competitions in the world. Attracting anglers from all over the globe, the tournament offers a chance for participants to showcase their skills and compete for substantial cash prizes. https://www.bisbees.com/Tournament/BisbeesBlackAndBlue
The Bisbee Fishing Tournament was first held in 1981 and has since become a tradition in Cabo San Lucas, attracting anglers from all over the world to compete for the largest catches. The tournament typically takes place in early October and lasts for five days. During this time, anglers set out to sea to catch a variety of fish species, including marlin, tuna, dorado, and wahoo, among others.
One of the unique aspects of the Bisbee Fishing Tournament is its format. Unlike other fishing tournaments, the Bisbee is a cumulative event, meaning that the angler with the largest combined weight of fish caught over the five-day period wins the grand prize. This format adds a level of excitement and unpredictability to the competition, as anglers never know which day will bring in their biggest catch.
Another notable aspect of the Bisbee Fishing Tournament is the size of its prizes. The tournament is known for offering substantial cash prizes, with the grand prize often exceeding $1 million. In addition to the grand prize, there are also prizes for the largest fish caught in each species category, as well as for the largest combined weight of a specific species.
The Bisbee Fishing Tournament is not just about the competition. It's also a celebration of Cabo San Lucas and its rich fishing culture. The tournament includes parties, live music, and other festivities that are open to the public. Whether you're an angler or just a fan of the sport, the Bisbee Fishing Tournament is a great opportunity to experience the excitement of competitive fishing and the vibrant culture of Cabo San Lucas.
In conclusion, the Bisbee Fishing Tournament is a highly anticipated event that attracts anglers from all over the world to Cabo San Lucas. With its cumulative format, substantial cash prizes, and festive atmosphere, it offers a unique and exciting experience for participants and spectators alike. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just looking to witness the thrill of competitive fishing, the Bisbee Fishing Tournament is not to be missed.
If you go fishing, what are some of the “tricks of the trade”
Catch and Release: If you are fishing for marlin, it is recommended that you use a catch and release method of fishing to help the local conservation efforts. Cabo San Lucas is one of the world’s top fishing spots and we like to keep it that way by letting the big fish go. If it is your first time fishing or you catch the marlin of a lifetime, it is acceptable and legal to bring back in one billfish. If you only want it for a wall trophy, the technology we have today is capable of creating exact replica wall mounts that will last much longer and let your fish live.
Clean and Fillet Your Fish: The fish that you end up bringing back to shore will need to be cleaned, filleted, and thrown on ice immediately. If your charter did not already include the cost of cleaning in the total price, you will have to pay it yourself. Dorado, Wahoo, Yellowfin and other smaller gamefish will cost around $2 per fish and if you bring back a large billfish it will cost anywhere from $12-$30 depending on the size.
Take to a Restaurant: One of the most popular things to do with your fish is to take some of it to either your resort’s on-site restaurant or a local restaurant that will cook it up for you just how you like it. You will be charged a small fee, but being able to eat your fresh catch of the day while enjoying a Cabo San Lucas sunset is one of the most rewarding experiences, and best tasting too! Your charter will have some good recommendations for restaurants that will cook it for you, some of which are located right there on the marina like Captain Tony's and Solomon's Landing.
Smoking and Freezing: If your charter doesn’t include the freezing of your catch in the price, they will offer the service to you once you get back to the marina. Prices range from $2-$30 per fish for your charter to fillet and freeze your fish but if you want them to vacuum pack it there will be an additional $1.50 per pound fee. Smoking adds great flavor to your fish and is around $5 per pound which should include vacuum packing for you to take home.
Taking Fish Home: Unless you drove your own vehicle down, you are probably going to have to cart the fish back on the airplane. Luckily, the San Jose Del Cabo airport is very familiar with people bringing back fish so it shouldn’t be a problem. Don’t worry about bringing an ice chest down with you to Cabo, you can easily purchase one at the local grocery store or Wal-Mart. Buy the cooler, throw in your frozen fish packed tightly, then wrap the chest up really good with duct tape to make sure you don’t lose your fish when they are being thrown around under the plane. As long as your fish are thoroughly frozen, it is not necessary to add ice (unless you are traveling a very long distance). Most airlines have a 44 pound restriction on what you can bring back but you can bring more as long as you are willing to pay the $1 per pound excess baggage fee. Do not forget that this ice chest will count as one of your checked bags, so do not bring two checked bags down to Cabo with you because then you will have to figure out what to do with the rest of your luggage. To play it safe, always check with your specific airline policies ahead of time so there are no surprises once you get to the airport.
Taxidermy: All captains should be using the catch and release method for marlin fishing but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a taxidermy made of your prize fish. Before you release your fish, get an accurate measurement of the size and take a few good photos. When you get back stateside, look up a reputable taxidermist and send in the photos and measurements for them to create an exact replica made of fiberglass. The fiberglass replica will look great and last much longer than a real billfish skin, and promotes the preservation of the beautiful creatures.
Cabo San Lucas is one of the best deep sea fishing destinations in the world. Even if you don’t catch fish (most likely you will) the scenery and the beauty of seeing the shores of Cabo by sea will make it worth your time.
Remember, if you are looking for a panoramic ocean front villa to rent for your stay in Cabo you need to look no further than Villa La Estancia villa 3301. Check it out: https://www.villalaestancia3301.com