Home > Species GuideSCIENTIFIC REFERENCE
What Fish Can
You Catch In
Cabo San Lucas?
A complete scientific and angler's guide to every sport fishing species in Cabo — seasonal availability, world records, taxonomy, and techniques. Written by captains with over 20 years on these waters.
8
MAJOR SPECIES
12/12
MONTHS FISHABLE
2
OCEAN SYSTEMS
20+
YEARS OF DATA
SEASONAL CALENDAR
When to catch what
SPECIES PROFILES
Explore Every Species
Click any species for a deep-dive page with full scientific data, fishing techniques, seasonal patterns, tackle recommendations, and conservation information.
Kajikia Audax
Striped Marlin
PEAK: OCT-APR
Cabo’s signature billfish. The most commonly caught marlin in the Eastern Pacific, known for aggressive surface feeding and spectacular aerial displays.
One billfish per boat. Catch-and-release highly suggested.
IGFA RECORD
~494 lb
MAX LENGTH
~13’
TOP SPEED
~50 mph
Makaira Nigricans
Blue Marlin
PEAK: JUN-NOV
The undisputed king of offshore sport fishing. Blue Marlin regularly exceed 300 pounds in Cabo waters and are the prize catch of Bisbee’s Black & Blue, the richest fishing tournament in the world.
IGFA RECORD
~1,376 lb
MAX LENGTH
~16 ft
TOP SPEED
~50 mph
Istiompax Indica
Black Marlin
PEAK: JUL-SEP
The strongest of all billfish. Black marlin are among the largest bony fish in the ocean and are distinguishable by their rigid pectoral fins that cannot be folded flat against the body.
IGFA RECORD
~1,560 lb
MAX LENGTH
~15 ft
TOP SPEED
~50 mph
Istiophorus Platypterus
Pacific Sailfish
PEAK: MAY-JUL
Widely considered the fastest fish in the ocean. Sailfish are known for their enormous dorsal fin, electric blue coloring, and explosive aerial acrobatics when hooked on light tackle.
IGFA RECORD
~221 lb
MAX LENGTH
~11 ft
TOP SPEED
~68 mph
Thunnus Albacares
Yellowfin Tuna
PEAK: JUN-NOV
Raw power on the line. Yellowfin are one of the hardest-fighting species in the ocean and a Cabo favorite for anglers who want to keep their catch — fresh sashimi on the dock is a Cabo tradition.
IGFA RECORD
~427 lb
MAX LENGTH
~7 ft
TOP SPEED
~47 mph
Coryphaena Hippurus
Dorado (Mahi-Mahi)
PEAK: JUN-OCT
The most visually stunning fish in Cabo’s waters. Dorado are aggressive feeders, acrobatic fighters, and widely regarded as one of the finest table fish in the ocean.
IGFA RECORD
~87 lb
MAX LENGTH
~7 ft
TOP SPEED
~50 mph
Acanthocybium Solandri
Wahoo
PEAK: SEP-NOV
The ocean’s speed demon. Wahoo can burst to 60 mph, making the initial strike one of the most electrifying moments in fishing. Their firm white flesh is considered among the finest eating fish in the sea.
IGFA RECORD
~184 lb
MAX LENGTH
~8 ft
TOP SPEED
~60 mph
Nematistius Pectoralis
Roosterfish
AVAILABLE: YEAR-ROUND
Baja’s most iconic inshore species. Named for their spectacular comb-like dorsal fin, rooster fish are powerful fighters found only in the Eastern Pacific, from Baja California to Peru.
IGFA RECORD
~114 lb
MAX LENGTH
~5 ft
TOP SPEED
~35 mph
UNDERSTANDING THE CATCH
Billfish vs. Pelagic Gamefish
Billfish
CATCH AND RELEASE REQUIRED
Billfish are the apex predators of the open ocean — marlin and sailfish, identifiable by their elongated upper jaw (bill). Mexican permits allow one billfish per boat per day, though we strongly encourage catch and release. These are the fish that put Cabo on the map as a world-class sport fishing destination.
Blue marlin Makaira Nigricans
Striped marlin Kajikia Audax
Black marlin Istiompax Indica
P sailfish Istiophorus Platypterus
Pelagic Gamefish
KEEP YOUR CATCH (WITHIN LIMITS)
Pelagic gamefish are open-ocean species that anglers can keep — most allow 5 per license per day (dorado and roosterfish are limited to 2.5). These are the fish that go from the ocean to the dinner table — many Cabo restaurants will cook your catch the same day. All are powerful fighters that deliver both sport and sustenance.
Yellowfin Tuna Thunnus albacares
Dorado Coryphaena Hippurus
Wahoo Acanthocybium Solandri
Roosterfish Nematistius Pectoralis
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Species FAQ
Common questions about fishing species in Cabo San Lucas
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Cabo San Lucas offers eight major sport fishing species: striped marlin (Kajikia audax), blue marlin (Makaira nigricans), black marlin (Istiompax indica), Pacific sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus), yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), dorado or mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), and roosterfish (Nematistius pectoralis). Additional inshore species include sierra, jack crevalle, snapper, and grouper.
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Every month in Cabo offers productive fishing, but the peak months depend on your target species. October is widely considered the single best month overall because striped marlin, blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, dorado, and wahoo are all available simultaneously. January through April is peak striped marlin season. June through November is prime for blue and black marlin. May through December is best for yellowfin tuna. Inshore species like roosterfish are available year-round.
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Cabo produces some of the largest marlin in the Pacific Ocean. Striped marlin commonly range from 100 to 200 pounds, with the IGFA world record at 494 pounds. Blue marlin regularly exceed 300 pounds in Cabo waters, with the IGFA world record standing at 1,376 pounds on rod and reel. Black marlin can exceed 1,000 pounds, with the IGFA world record at 1,560 pounds. The annual Bisbee's Black & Blue tournament has awarded multi-million dollar prizes for blue marlin over 500 pounds.
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Mexican fishing permits allow one billfish (marlin or sailfish) per boat per day. Top Anglers strongly encourages catch and release for all billfish, and our captains are experienced in proper release techniques to ensure high survival rates. Most other species allow 5 per license per day. Dorado and roosterfish are limited to 2.5 per license per day (so a solo angler keeps 2, but two anglers together can keep 5).