Los Cabos Fishing Report – Early April 2026
Cabo San Lucas fishing report for April 1–15, 2026: striped marlin, yellowfin tuna, dorado, the first wahoo of the season and roosterfish on the beaches.
Angler with a dorado offshore of Cabo San Lucas, early April 2026
April 1–15, 2026 | Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur | Top Anglers Sportfishing Charters
Key takeaways
- Striped marlin were the headline, with tailing fish on the surface on the Pacific side most mornings.
- Yellowfin tuna started to build offshore, and dorado stayed the most reliable fish in the spread.
- The first wahoo of the season showed up on the deeper ledges.
- Roosterfish and jack crevalle woke up along the beaches for half-day panga trips.
- NOAA satellite data put the water at 72–76°F (22.3–24.6°C) during these dates.
Water and moon
| Sea surface temperature | 72–76°F (22.3–24.6°C), average 75°F (23.6°C) |
|---|---|
| Start → end of period | 72°F → 76°F |
| Moon | Full moon on April 1. |
Water temperature: NOAA daily sea-surface temperature (OISST v2.1, satellite and buoy blend) for the open water just south of Cabo San Lucas (22.6°N, 109.9°W). Source. For today’s numbers see our fishing conditions page.
What was biting
Striped marlin
Striped marlin were the fish of early April, often seen tailing on the surface on the Pacific side. Live caballito bait worked best when fish refused lures. We encourage releasing billfish and follow the local rule of one per boat per day.
Yellowfin tuna
Yellowfin tuna started to build on schedule. Finding a working porpoise school was the key to fast action.
Dorado (mahi-mahi)
Dorado were the most dependable fish of the period, around weed lines and floating debris, with some big bulls in the mix.
Wahoo
The first wahoo of the season hit on the deeper ledges, on fast-trolled lures with wire leaders.
Roosterfish
Roosterfish showed up along the beaches, the start of their spring season. Half-day panga trips were the way to go.
Also seen: Jack crevalle, Sierra, Pacific sailfish. Also in the mix: jack crevalle and sierra inshore, and the first sailfish of the season.
Photos from our boats
Angler with a roosterfish, early April 2026
Angler with a bull dorado, early April 2026
Angler with a roosterfish near the coast, early April 2026
Angler with a dorado, early April 2026
Mother and son with a dorado, early April 2026
Angler with a roosterfish close to the beach, early April 2026
Two anglers with a bull dorado, early April 2026
Angler with a jack crevalle, early April 2026
Angler with a jack crevalle, early April 2026
Young angler and crew member with a dorado, early April 2026
Happy angler with a yellowfin tuna, early April 2026
Planning a trip for this time of year?
April is the start of peak season in Cabo, with marlin, tuna, dorado, wahoo and roosterfish all possible. A full day gives you the best shot at the offshore species.
- What’s biting in April, species by species
- Our fleet, from the 23’ panga for inshore roosterfish to the 60’ Hatteras for a full offshore day
- Live prices for every boat, with captain, crew, tackle, bait, ice and water included
- How to tell a striped marlin from a sailfish
Book your charter direct with our family or message us on WhatsApp at +1 307 221 1291.
How we put this report together
This report is based on what our captains and crews reported from their trips during these dates, and on their photos. Photos of billfish out of the water are not shown. Water temperatures come from NOAA and moon phases are calculated for Cabo San Lucas time. This report was updated in October 2026 to this format.
