Los Cabos Fishing Report – Early April 2026
April 1–15, 2026 | Top Anglers Sport Fishing Charters
Conditions Overview
Peak season has officially arrived in Cabo San Lucas. The Pacific is behaving exactly the way we want it to for early April — water temperatures holding a steady 78–80°F, a clean warm current pushing in from the south, and baitfish stacked so thick offshore you can see them boil on the surface from a mile out. The spring run is no longer a forecast; it's here, and our boats have spent the last two weeks in the middle of it.
For serious anglers planning a trip, April 1–15 delivers the rare combination Cabo is known for: marlin still holding from the late-winter push, yellowfin tuna numbers building offshore, dorado back on the edges in force, and — the part a lot of visitors don't realize — wahoo and roosterfish waking up for the first time this year. You can target any one of them on a full-day. On the right day, you can land three.
Species Report
Striped Marlin
Striped marlin are the headline species of the first half of April. Pods of tailing fish have been visible on the surface most mornings on the Pacific side, and our captains have raised multiple fish per trip on the right days. Bait-and-switch with live caballito has been the most reliable setup, with dropback presentations producing several solid bites when fish refused trolled lures. Every marlin hooked during this period was released healthy, per our standard catch-and-release protocol.
Yellowfin Tuna
The yellowfin bite is building exactly on schedule. School-size fish in the 30–60 lb range showed first, followed by the first cows of the season — the heavy fish that make April and May so rewarding. Porpoise sign has been the tell; once a captain finds a working pod, it's usually fast action on cedar plugs and live bait. For anyone Googling "yellowfin fishing charters Cabo San Lucas" right now, the honest answer is: book the next two months.
Dorado (Mahi-Mahi)
Dorado remain the most dependable species in the spread. Gold-and-electric-blue fish hit the long riggers aggressively, and the acrobatic jumps are why they're the favorite first billfish-substitute for new anglers. Action has been consistent on the outer edges and anywhere floating structure or weedlines concentrate bait. Several bulls pushed north of 30 lb this period — good eating fish for the grill, and excellent sport on lighter tackle.
Wahoo
Wahoo are waking up. The first confirmed hookups of the season came in during the opening week of April, with the cleanest bites on the deeper ledges. A wahoo strike is unmistakable — a blistering drag run that will tell you inside three seconds whether your knots are honest. We rigged heavier wire and ran dedicated high-speed spreads on afternoon returns and saw the method pay off. Expect activity to intensify through April and May.
Roosterfish (Inshore)
On the inshore side, roosterfish have started their spring appearance along the beaches. Sight-casting live mullet to cruising fish is the signature Cabo experience for any angler who's done it — the mane-like dorsal cutting the surface, the strike, and the short blistering run. Half-day panga trips have been the move, and fly anglers specifically have had several shots per morning on the right tide.
Also Seen
Brief mentions worth logging: Sierra mackerel added steady inshore sport on lighter tackle, the first sailfish of the season was raised (and released) off the Gordo Banks line, and bait balls of bonito drew in everything hungry within a mile.
Trip Highlights: Memories Near El Arco
The first two weeks of April gave us the exact mix of trips that define why people come to Cabo: multi-generational families landing their first dorado, serious anglers releasing their first striped marlin, couples celebrating anniversaries with a half-day on the water, and a standout afternoon when one of our charters came back with a wahoo, a dorado, and two yellowfin — all from the same spread.
El Arco framed most of the hero photos, as it always does. The iconic silhouette in the background of a grip-and-grin shot is the reason those pictures go on living rooms back home, and it's the reason April and May bookings are filling faster every year.
The full photo set from April 1–15 is below. Every fish in those images was landed by one of our Top Anglers Certified Captains, and every client walked off the dock with their own version of the story.
Cabo Fishing in April — Frequently Asked Questions
What's biting in Cabo San Lucas in April?
Early April produces striped marlin and yellowfin tuna offshore, dorado on the edges, wahoo on the outer grounds, and roosterfish along the beaches on inshore trips. Water temperatures of 78–80°F hold all five species in range at the same time, which is why April marks the start of peak season.
Is April a good time to fish Cabo San Lucas?
It is one of the best months of the year. Striped marlin are still present, yellowfin tuna numbers build quickly, dorado action is consistent, and wahoo and roosterfish begin hitting reliably. Seas are calmer than winter and the weather is stable — ideal conditions for first-time visitors and serious anglers alike.
What's the water temperature in Cabo San Lucas in early April?
During April 1–15, 2026, water temperatures held at a steady 78–80°F around Cabo San Lucas, with warmer currents fully established offshore. Those conditions concentrate bait and keep game fish within range of both half-day and full-day charters.
What's the best time of day to leave for a Cabo fishing charter in April?
Dawn departures — typically 6:30 to 7:00 AM from the Cabo San Lucas marina — produce the strongest bite windows. We also run select afternoon half-days for inshore roosterfish and dorado when conditions align.
Do you catch and release marlin in Cabo?
Yes. Top Anglers practices 100% catch-and-release on all billfish — striped marlin, blue marlin, black marlin, and sailfish — to protect the fishery. Anglers get the fight, the photo, and the story; the fish swims away.
Book Your Peak Season Adventure
The Top Anglers fleet is fully mobilized for the explosive fishing that April and May deliver — from our nimble pangas for inshore roosterfish and sierra, to our 35 ft and 38 ft Bertrams, the 45 ft Cabo Express, and our flagship 60 ft yacht for offshore full-days. Every captain carries the Top Anglers Certified Captain credential. Every trip is booked directly with our Cabo team — no booking fees, no commissions.
April and May dates are filling fast. If you're considering a fishing charter in Cabo San Lucas, now is the time to lock in your days.
Visit topanglerscharters.com, message us on WhatsApp, or call +52 624 122 1643 to reserve your charter today.
