Fishing Cabo San Lucas: The Marlin Capitol of the World

For over a 12 months, I’ve been writing vacation spot fishing articles primarily based on seasonal updates from my buddy Arturo Chacon at Tag Cabo Sportfishing. However this time was completely different. Once I got here to Cabo for my daughter’s wedding ceremony, Arturo invited me to expertise the fishing firsthand moderately than simply write about it. What adopted was an unforgettable day on the water fishing the “Marlin Capitol of the World.”

My day started at 5 a.m. I left our Sandos Finesterra Resort, and after a fast 10-minute stroll to the harbor I used to be at Dock E, the place I met the crew, Andres and Roberto. As all the time after I’m working, my digicam was prepared. As an outside author, I’ve realized to seize each second since you by no means know when these images will inform the proper story.

After idling out of the harbor, a small boat pulled alongside us, and Roberto rigorously chosen our bait for the day: recent ballyhoo and threadfin herring. Arturo defined his desire for dragging at the very least one line with lifeless bait, a confirmed method that will quickly pay dividends.

The Setup

Coming into the Sea of Cortez, the group started their methodical line setup. Two rods carried daisy chain teasers, which Roberto defined create visible and auditory disturbances within the water, mimicking fleeing baitfish faculties to excite gamefish. One other rod featured a straight missile bait with out a blade, its erratic motion capturing left and proper, diving and surfacing like a panicked baitfish. Generally it even jumped away from the water.

The fourth rod carried a conventional arduous crankbait, whereas the fifth held a rigorously rigged ballyhoo. Andres wrapped the baitfish’s face with skinny wax line, reinforcing it so the hook wouldn’t tear by means of throughout the high-speed trolling motion.

The Motion Begins

Ten minutes after setting traces, the primary rod started dancing. I jumped into the combating chair and landed an ideal 30-inch yellowfin tuna, not large however best consuming measurement. As we headed towards what Roberto calls “the 45,” we caught 4 extra yellowfins earlier than Andres switched to marlin baits.

Then it occurred. Whereas watching the rods, I appeared again to see a marlin exploding from the water behind our farthest lure. The fish was leaping nonstop, generally showing to tailwalk throughout the floor. Again within the combating chair, I realized the arduous manner to not let the reel do all of the work. “Horse the fish with the rod, then reel because the tip comes down,” got here the fixed reminder.

Because the fish neared the boat, I stepped apart to seize unbelievable footage earlier than we introduced it alongside. The striped marlin was a magnificence, and after a fast photograph session, we launched it to combat one other day.

On our return journey, one other marlin hit, however this one behaved fully otherwise. “Generally they do this,” Roberto defined. “They’ll hit the lure and head straight down.” This fish by no means jumped, staying deep all through your complete combat. Andres skillfully labored it shut sufficient to take away the hook earlier than launch.

What to Anticipate in August

Throughout our day on the water, I used to be in a position to ask loads of questions on what makes August so particular in Cabo. The group informed me this represents peak season, the place Pacific Ocean waters meet the Sea of Cortez at best temperatures of 75-82°F. Arturo defined that this month provides a few of the 12 months’s finest alternatives for giant sport fishing.

Billfish

Once I requested about billfish, Roberto received excited. He informed me blue and black marlin are at their most lively proper now, with blues averaging 250-350 kilos and blacks doubtlessly exceeding 1,000 kilos. The striped marlin we caught are year-round residents that stay persistently lively at 100-300 kilos. Andres talked about that sailfish numbers improve by means of August, peaking in September.

Tuna

The yellowfin tuna motion we skilled was typical for August, in response to the crew. They defined these fish vary from 20-100 kilos with occasional giants over 200 kilos. “At all times search for diving birds,” Roberto suggested, “they present you the place the feeding faculties are.” Arturo recommends focusing on dorado this month too, as they’re plentiful at 10-30 kilos, whereas speedy wahoo patrol each offshore and inshore waters.

Inshore Choices

I used to be interested in inshore choices, and the group informed me roosterfish are hitting 40-50 kilos proper now, plus purple snapper and grouper supply thrilling motion nearer to shore for these wanting selection.

Preventing two massive striped marlin created recollections I’ll always remember. The mix of Cabo’s world-class fishing, Tag Cabo Sportfishing’s experience, and the area’s gorgeous magnificence makes this vacation spot unbeatable. Whether or not you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort with household or planning a devoted fishing journey, I extremely advocate reserving with Tag Cabo Sportfishing for an genuine Cabo expertise.

After a 12 months of writing about this fishery, experiencing it firsthand proved that generally the truth exceeds even one of the best tales.

Keith Lusher

Keith Lusher is an award-winning outside journalist who resides in Covington, Louisiana. He owns and operates NorthshoreFishingReport.com and writes a weekly outside column for the Slidell Unbiased Newspaper. He additionally writes for the St.Tammany Parish Tourism Fee’s VisitTheNorthshore.com. He’s the previous host of The Northshore Fishing Report Radio Present and is on the board of the Louisiana Out of doors Writers Affiliation. Keith contributes to quite a few publications each on-line and in print and prides himself on selling South Louisiana’s distinctive fishery. To contact Keith electronic mail: keithlusherjr@gmail.com