San José del Cabo Fishing Report — April 26, 2026: Striped Marlin Bite Heats Up at Gordo Banks, Inshore Action Stays Strong

Striped marlin numbers picked up across the Gordo Banks zone this week, with most fish landing in the 80 to 100 pound class. Yellowfin tuna stayed on the menu with moderate success as east winds shaped afternoon conditions, while inshore anglers found steady action on roosterfish, jack crevalle, and sierra mackerel along the Palmilla and Punta Gorda stretches. Here is the full breakdown from our captains and our recommendations to plan your next trip out of Puerto Los Cabos Marina.

Ocean and Weather Conditions

Conditions across the San José del Cabo fishing grounds remained warm and mostly fishable through the weekend, with sunny skies, light morning winds, and a building east wind pattern most afternoons. Water temperatures across our offshore zones (Gordo Banks, 1150 Bank, Iman) are running on the warm side for late April, which is helping push billfish and pelagic activity closer to home.

The east wind is the variable that matters most right now. Mornings have been calm and clean, perfect for trolling and setting up offshore drifts before 11 AM. Once the easterly fills in past midday, drift fishing becomes harder, the surface gets choppier, and tuna in particular get pickier. Captains are responding by leaving earlier, prioritizing the morning bite window, and switching to slow trolling or controlled trolls in the afternoon to keep lines wet without losing presentation.

Offshore Action: Striped Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna

Striped Marlin Bite is Hot

This is the headline of the week. Striped marlin activity increased across the entire offshore zone, with consistent action reported from Outer Gordo, the 1150 Bank, and the corridor between Inner Gordo and the Iman drop. Most fish are running 80 to 100 pounds, with a few larger specimens in the mix. On strong mornings, boats targeting marlin specifically are seeing 3 to 6 hookups before lunch. Slower mornings still produced 1 to 2 marlin per boat for crews willing to put in the troll time.

The most productive presentations have been live caballito and green jacks, drop-back baits behind a teaser spread, and rigged ballyhoo. Trolled marlin lures (Black Bart, Marlin Magic, large jet heads in blue and white or pink and white) are also producing, especially in the cleaner water just outside the 1150. If you are targeting marlin specifically, this is one of the better windows we have had this month.

Yellowfin Tuna Medium Probability

Tuna are around but the bite has been spotty due to east wind affecting drift conditions and bait challenges across the marina. Most fish are coming from the Iman Bank, San Luis, and the Cardon zone, with sizes ranging mostly 20 to 50 pounds and a few 60 to 80 pound class fish in the mix. Squid strips have been the most reliable bait, with live caballito producing when available. Sardines have been scarce, which keeps total numbers down on slower days.

If tuna is your primary target, plan for an early start, prioritize calm-water mornings, and budget time to drift multiple high spots. A full day trip gives you a much better shot at a quality tuna day right now than a half day, simply because the morning window before the east wind matters so much.

Inshore Action: Roosterfish, Jack Crevalle and Sierra Mackerel

Roosterfish (Pez Gallo) Active

Inshore is delivering steady action this week along the beach stretches from Palmilla to Punta Gorda, with consistent roosterfish activity in the 10 to 25 pound class and occasional shots at larger fish closer to 30 plus pounds. Live mullet and live caballito are the bait of choice. Slow trolling with a flat line presentation along the surf line just outside the breakers has been the most productive approach. This is also the perfect window for fly fishing or light tackle anglers who want a true Baja inshore experience.

Jack Crevalle (Jurel Toro) Active

Schools of jack crevalle have been hammering live bait inshore, often mixed in with roosterfish on the same beach runs. Average sizes are 15 to 25 pounds. They are not prized for the table but they are one of the best light tackle fights you will get in this area, and they are perfect for kids, beginners, or any angler who wants a non-stop bend in the rod.

Sierra Mackerel Shore Action

Sierra mackerel action picked up close to shore along the Palmilla rocks and the Cardon shoreline. Best results are coming on small spoons (Krocodile, Kastmaster), hoochies, and live sardines when available. Sierra are excellent eating fish and a perfect species for half day inshore trips, particularly for groups bringing kids or first-time anglers who want guaranteed action and a cooler full of fresh fillets.

Tactics, Bait and Tackle for This Week

Inshore Action on Video: Fly Fishing for Roosterfish

Recent footage from our 23ft Super Panga, fly fishing for roosterfish along the beach. This is the kind of inshore experience that is firing right now during the east wind window.

Fly fishing roosterfish aboard our 23ft Super Panga, San José del Cabo

San José del Cabo Fishing FAQ — Late April 2026

Report by Daliken Sportfishing, Puerto Los Cabos Marina, San José del Cabo, BCS. Updated weekly with real catches and current conditions from our captains. For questions about your specific dates, contact the owner directly.