Los Cabos Fishing Report – January 2026
Cabo San Lucas fishing report for January 2026: roosterfish on the beaches, striped marlin, yellowfin tuna and dorado, with whales on the way out.
Angler with a roosterfish near the beach, January 2026
January 2026 | Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur | Top Anglers Sportfishing Charters
Key takeaways
- Roosterfish were the star of the month along the beaches and rocky points.
- Striped marlin were a regular catch offshore.
- Yellowfin tuna and dorado were around in smaller numbers than in the fall.
- Humpback and gray whale season was in full swing.
- NOAA satellite data put the water at 77–80°F (24.9–26.5°C) during these dates.
Water and moon
| Sea surface temperature | 77–80°F (24.9–26.5°C), average 78°F (25.7°C) |
|---|---|
| Start → end of period | 80°F → 77°F |
| Moon | Full moon on January 3 and new moon on January 18. |
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
Roosterfish
January’s star fish. Roosterfish patrolled the sandy beaches and rocky points, and live sardines and mullet were the bait of choice. Families on the Duetto had some of the best roosterfish days of the month.
Striped marlin
Striped marlin showed up on many offshore trips, including fish jumping right behind the boat. We encourage releasing billfish and follow the local rule of one per boat per day.
Yellowfin tuna
Yellowfin tuna were around in the offshore waters, in smaller numbers than in the fall.
Dorado (mahi-mahi)
Dorado were fewer than in the fall, but still around floating debris.
Also seen: Humpback whale, Gray whale. Humpback and gray whales were often seen on the way to the fishing grounds.
Photos from our boats
A striped marlin jumps behind the boat, January 2026
Angler with a roosterfish at sunrise, January 2026
Young angler with a roosterfish, January 2026
Angler with a bull dorado, January 2026
Father and daughter with a roosterfish, January 2026
Angler with a dorado, January 2026
Couple with a dorado, January 2026
Angler with a roosterfish near Land’s End, January 2026
Angler with a fish caught at sunrise, January 2026
Planning a trip for this time of year?
January is roosterfish and whale season. A half day on a panga or a smaller sportfisher is a great family outing.
- What’s biting in January, 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.
