Top Anglers vs Pisces
By Max Vargas, international sportfishing judge accredited by the FIPS-M · Last reviewed
Top Anglers and Pisces are two of the most established fishing charter companies in Cabo San Lucas. Pisces traces its start to 1978, Top Anglers to 2004. Both put anglers on marlin, tuna and dorado year-round. They are very different operations, and this page breaks down the differences so you can decide which fits your trip.
Disclosure: Top Anglers Sportfishing Charters is our company. Information about Pisces comes from their website as of November 3, 2026, and each figure links to the page it came from; it may have changed since, so please check with them directly. Top Anglers prices on this page are live from our booking system.
At a glance
| Top Anglers | Pisces Sportfishing | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2004 | 1978 (La Paz) |
| Fleet | 20 boats | About 36 boats |
| Boat sizes | 23'–60' | 23'–130' |
| Starting price | $468 (live) | $300 (panga); standard boats from $540 |
| What the price includes | Captain, crew, tackle, bait, ice, water, dock fees, taxes, one fishing license | Boat price excludes 16% tax; licenses ($18.50 each) and live bait extra unless All-Inclusive |
| How you book | Direct, no booking fee | Direct: phone, WhatsApp, email |
| Notable | Prize at Bisbee's Black & Blue 2025 | IGFA Lifetime Achievement Award for Conservation |
Pisces Sportfishing figures from their website as of November 3, 2026; Top Anglers prices live from our booking system.
Company background
Top Anglers
Top Anglers was founded in 2004 by Captain Victor Vargas at Marina Principal in Cabo San Lucas. Today the Vargas family runs a fleet of 20 boats from 23 to 60 feet, working with a hand-picked group of local captains and boat owners. Victor Jr runs operations, Max handles strategy and guest relations, and Andy runs administration.
Every booking goes through the family: online on our booking page, or by WhatsApp, phone or email. There is no booking platform, no call center and no booking fee, and the price you see includes captain, crew, tackle, bait, one fishing license, dock fees and taxes.
Pisces Sportfishing
Pisces started as a family business in La Paz in 1978 with one 28-foot boat (About us); its homepage says "since 1980". Its charter page lists about 36 boats, from 23-foot pangas to a 130-foot yacht.
Pisces says many of its captains fish more than 300 days a year and that most of its team spend their whole careers there. It cites an IGFA Lifetime Achievement Award for Conservation and says it was the first fleet in Mexico to switch exclusively to circle hooks for live-bait fishing (About us). Anglers can tag, name and track released fish online, and Pisces reports a 98.6% billfish release rate (Conservation).
Fleet comparison
Top Anglers: 20 boats, 23'–60'
Every price includes one fishing license, captain, crew, tackle, bait (live when available), ice, water, dock fees and taxes. Each additional license is $30.
- 23' Panga: up to 3 anglers, $468 half day
- 27' Center Console: up to 4 anglers, $698 half day / $863 full day
- 26' Shamrock: up to 3 anglers, $737 half day / $793 full day
- 28' Sportfisher: up to 4 anglers, $809 half day / $865 full day
- 30' Uniflite: up to 5 anglers, $824 half day / $881 full day
- 33' Owens: up to 6 anglers, $870 half day / $989 full day
- 33' Uniflite: up to 6 anglers, $870 half day / $989 full day
- 30' California: up to 4 anglers, $881 half day / $927 full day
- 31' Bertram: up to 6 anglers, $927 half day / $1,051 full day
- 32' Blackfin: up to 6 anglers, $1,051 half day / $1,226 full day
- 35' Bertram: up to 8 anglers, $1,174 half day / $1,288 full day
- 35' Owens: up to 7 anglers, $1,174 half day / $1,288 full day
- 33' CABO Express: up to 6 anglers, $1,421 half day / $1,746 full day
- 40' Fiorentino: up to 10 anglers, $1,479 half day / $1,582 full day
- 35' CABO Express: up to 6 anglers, $1,644 half day / $2,004 full day
- 35' CABO Flybridge: up to 8 anglers, $1,644 half day / $2,004 full day
- 36' Blackwatch: up to 10 anglers, $1,685 half day / $2,097 full day
- 44' Viking: up to 10 anglers, $1,994 half day / $2,488 full day
- 45' CABO Express: up to 12 anglers, $1,994 half day / $2,488 full day
- 60' Hatteras: up to 10 anglers, $4,033 half day / $4,517 full day
Pisces Sportfishing: about 36 boats, 23'–130'
Pisces groups its boats into five categories on its charter page. The lowest price listed in each:
- Pangas (23'–27'), 4 boats, from $300
- Standard (28'–35'), 10 boats, from $540
- Midsize (35'–42'), 9 boats, from $850
- Large (46'–72'), 8 boats, from $1,900
- Luxury (55'–130'), 5 boats, from $1,350
Their homepage shows different starting prices ($445 standard, $1,100 midsize, $3,500 large, $1,200 luxury), so ask for the price of the specific boat. Their FAQ says all prices exclude 16% sales tax and lists fishing licenses ($18.50 per person per day, including processing), live bait ($40 for 10) and box lunches ($15) as extras; the All-Inclusive package includes 10 live bait. Compare the total, not the boat price.
Reviews and reputation
Top Anglers
- Google: 4.8 stars, 150+ reviews
- Facebook: 100% recommend
- Nautical Pathfinder Trusted Charter designation
Pisces
- TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice: 2013–2023 and 2025 (badges on their homepage)
- Check Google and TripAdvisor for current scores; review counts change every week
Tournament and conservation credentials
Top Anglers
- 2025 Bisbee's Black & Blue: prize winner (our 45' CABO Express crew)
- 33rd CIPS-M Big Game World Championship (Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, France, 2025): Victor Vargas captained both Mexican teams, one of which placed first on two of three days; Max Vargas sat on the jury
- 2025 Pan-American Billfish Championship: Jason Bailey, a longtime friend of the Vargas family who helps our US guests plan their trips, earned bronze for Team USA
- Organizers of a CIPS-M World Championship and the 2024 German National Championship
Pisces
As listed on their homepage:
- IGFA Lifetime Achievement Award for Conservation
- Billfish Foundation: Top Overall Marlin Release Captain Worldwide
- Gray FishTag Research: Top Tagging Fleet on the Pacific coast of Mexico
Booking
Top Anglers
Book online with live prices: choose the boat and date, the team confirms availability, and you pay a 50% deposit by card through a secure link. The balance is paid at the dock and you get a ticket with a QR code.
- Victor: +52 624 122 1643 (WhatsApp or call)
- Andy: +1 619 600 9061
- Victor Jr: +1 307 221 1291
- Email: contact@topanglerscharters.com
- Book online
Pisces
Pisces books by phone, WhatsApp and email: USA 1-619-819-7983, toll-free 1-877-286-7938, Mexico +52 624 143 1288, WhatsApp +52 624 220 6367, bookings@piscesgroupcabo.com (contact details on their site). With about 36 boats, they often have availability on short notice.
Our verdict
Choose Top Anglers if you want a family-run experience, a wide price range (from $468 for a half day), live published prices with taxes, dock fees and one license included, and direct contact with the people organizing your trip. Our fleet runs from 23-foot pangas to a 60-foot Hatteras.
Choose Pisces if you want the largest selection, yachts over 60 feet, a fish-tagging program, or last-minute availability. Their record since 1978 and their conservation work speak for themselves.
Ready to fish with Top Anglers?
20 boats from $468, one license included, no booking fees.