The east wind has fully activated across the San Jose del Cabo fishery, and the bite has responded. Striped marlin numbers are climbing fast offshore, with multiple-fish days reported from our private charters this week. Inshore, the roosterfish and jack crevalle action is heating up along Palmilla and the rocky points south of Puerto Los Cabos Marina. This is the moment of the year when the Sea of Cortez transitions into peak billfish mode — and conditions right now favor anglers who plan smart and book the right boat.
What's biting this week
- Striped Marlin: surging offshore on east wind — 100-180 lb fish, multiple-fish days
- Roosterfish (Pez Gallo): strong inshore bite near Palmilla, light-tackle paradise
- Jack Crevalle (Jurel Toro): aggressive surface bite, 15-30 lb fish on poppers
- Dorado (Mahi Mahi): scattered but present, mixed with marlin spreads
- Conditions: east wind 10-15 knots, water 74-77°F, 1-3 ft sea state
- Top pick: 26ft Super Panga for the half-and-half — marlin AM, inshore PM
Current ConditionsSan Jose del Cabo
Conditions this week have shifted decisively with the arrival of sustained east winds, flattening the Sea of Cortez side and pushing baitfish patterns closer to structure. Water temperature is climbing steadily — the trigger for peak billfish movement and aggressive inshore predation.
What's HittingRight Now
Striped Marlin — the headline fish
The story of this week is the striped marlin surge. The east wind shift has aligned with the seasonal northward migration of striped marlin through the Sea of Cortez corridor, and the boats are seeing it. Multiple captains reported 2-to-4-fish days within 10-18 miles of Puerto Los Cabos Marina.
Most of the action is happening on the troll with cedar plugs, ballyhoo, and skirted lures in the standard marlin spread, though several fish have come on bait-and-switch presentations with live mackerel for clients targeting trophy hookups. The water color has been clean blue-green, and the bait is concentrated. When you see frigate birds working in pairs at sunrise, that is the signal — the marlin are below.
Roosterfish — Pez Gallo on light tackle
The inshore bite is fully on. Roosterfish, locally called pez gallo, are showing in numbers along the beaches just south of Puerto Los Cabos and around Palmilla Point. The east wind has the inshore water clean and the bait pinned tight to structure — ideal for slow-trolling live mullet and caballito.
This is one of the most iconic fights in saltwater fishing — that flared-up rooster comb breaking the surface in a high-speed run is unforgettable. Light tackle (20-30 lb class spinning gear) gives you the most sport, and we strongly recommend catch-and-release on roosterfish to protect the resource. The Super Panga 23ft is purpose-built for this exact program.
Jack Crevalle — Jurel Toro, the inshore brawler
Jack crevalle, or jurel toro as the local crews call them, are showing in aggressive schools along the same inshore zones holding the roosterfish. These are pound-for-pound one of the hardest-pulling fish in the region, and they are eating topwater poppers, stickbaits, and live bait with equal enthusiasm.
When a school of jurel toro busts the surface chasing sardines, the boat goes electric. Cast a popper into the foam and hang on. This is the kind of fishing that hooks first-time anglers for life, and we have been weaving jack crevalle stops into roosterfish programs all week with great results.
Dorado, Tuna & Bycatch — what else is around
Dorado (Mahi Mahi) have been scattered but present — typically picked up while running the marlin spread or near floating debris and weed lines. Sizes are mixed, with most fish in the 8 to 18 pound range and a few bulls pushing 30. The Sea of Cortez can produce strong dorado runs as water continues to warm through May and June, so expect this fishery to ramp up.
Yellowfin tuna reports remain consistent from the deeper grounds toward Gordo Banks. These fish are typically chased on full-day offshore programs rather than inshore mixed days, but a few football tunas have hit the deck on the way back from marlin sessions. Sierra mackerel and bonito are providing reliable bycatch in the inshore zones — excellent for bait or the table.
Recent ActivityLast Two Weeks
Stepping back from this week's snapshot, the broader trend since April 26 tells a clear story: the fishery has been steadily building toward this east-wind activation. In the final days of April, boats out of Puerto Los Cabos Marina were already reporting an uptick in striped marlin sightings along the standard tracks toward Iman Bank and the offshore canyon edge, though numbers were inconsistent and tied to early-morning weather windows.
The first week of May brought a clear pattern: roosterfish moved into reliable holding zones along the southern beaches as the water crept past 72°F, and the first solid dorado bulls showed up scattered along weed lines on calmer days. Several charters reported double-digit fish days when mixing inshore and short-offshore programs — what we call the half-and-half — taking advantage of the calm dawn conditions before the daily breeze.
Then, around May 7-8, the east wind locked in. Captains who shifted their programs immediately — adjusting departure times, running tighter to structure, and committing to live-bait tactics — saw an immediate jump in productivity. The marlin numbers have stayed elevated through the back half of last week and into this week, and the inshore bite has only gotten stronger.
The takeaway: this is not a one-day window. We are inside what looks like a multi-week productive stretch, and the boats that are booked and on the water are putting fish in front of clients consistently. Anglers planning a trip in the next four to six weeks should expect this report to continue strengthening.
Tactics & RecommendationsFor This Week's Bite
For Striped Marlin — offshore program
Pull a standard marlin spread of cedar plugs, skirted lures, and ballyhoo behind a 26ft or 28ft boat with the range to work 10-20 miles out. Watch for diving frigate birds at first light. When fish are spotted on the surface, switch to bait-and-switch with live mackerel for a higher hookup rate. Best results between sunrise and 11 AM before the breeze freshens.
For Roosterfish — inshore light tackle
Slow-troll live mullet or caballito along the beach in 15-40 feet of water, working drop-offs and rocky structure south of the marina toward Palmilla. Light spinning gear (20-30 lb class) is ideal. Best windows: dawn and the last two hours of light. Always release roosterfish — they are a sportfishing-only species and the resource depends on it.
For Jack Crevalle — surface popping
When you see bait sprays or surface boils, cast topwater poppers or stickbaits into the action. Long casts and a fast, choppy retrieve trigger violent eats. Sardine and caballito imitations are working best. These fish school, so when one hits, expect more — keep the bait in the strike zone.
What to bring — for any program
Sunscreen (mineral preferred — better for the marine environment), polarized sunglasses, a hat, light long-sleeve shirt, closed-toe deck shoes, water, snacks, and your camera. Everything else — rods, reels, tackle, licenses, ice, bait — is included on every Daliken charter. We supply quality gear matched to the target species.
Best time to book — next 4-6 weeks
Right now is the front edge of peak striped marlin season, which runs strong through early July before transitioning into summer Blue Marlin and Dorado patterns. If you can move on a date in the next month, do it. The water is warming, the bait is here, and the fish are responding. Weekday departures are easier to book than weekends.
Super Panga in ActionRoosterfish & Mahi Mahi
A quick look at what a Super Panga day looks like right now — roosterfish and dorado action straight from the deck.
Boat RecommendationsFor This Bite
Based on the current activity, here are our three private boats and which program each fits best right now. All charters are 100% private — your group only — and include licenses, bait, water, ice, and tackle.
San Jose del Cabo Fishing ReportCommon Questions
What is biting right now in San Jose del Cabo?
How does the east wind affect fishing in San Jose del Cabo?
What is the best boat for this week's fishing report?
How big are the striped marlin right now?
How early should I book for the peak striped marlin window?
Where do the charters depart from?
What is included in the charter price?
Ready to Fish San Jose del Cabo?The Window Is Open Right Now
Striped marlin offshore, roosterfish and jurel toro inshore. The east wind has the fishery lit up. Book direct with the owner — no agencies, no shared boats, just your group and the captain.
