Yellowfin Tuna Fishing at Gordo Banks
Gordo Banks is one of the top yellowfin tuna fishing grounds in the world, holding cow class fish over 200 pounds and producing documented catches over 300 pounds in recent seasons. Peak season runs July through November. Daliken Sportfishing runs private charters from Puerto Los Cabos Marina, the closest launch to the bank.
Why Gordo Banks Is World Class for Yellowfin Tuna
Gordo Banks is a seamount system sitting roughly 8 to 10 miles off the coast of San Jose del Cabo. The structure rises from the depths of the Pacific to create the kind of upwelling and bait concentration that consistently holds trophy class yellowfin tuna. This is the home of the annual Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot and the launch point that has produced multiple super cow yellowfin over 300 pounds in recent seasons.
At Daliken Sportfishing we run private charters from Puerto Los Cabos Marina, which gives our boats the shortest possible run to the inner banks. Less time running, more time fishing. Direct booking, local captains who have been working these waters for decades, and the right tackle for stand up cow tuna fights.
About the Pacific Yellowfin Tuna
The yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), also known as ahi or kihada, is one of the fastest and most powerful pelagic predators in the ocean. According to NOAA Fisheries, yellowfin grow fast, reaching up to 6 feet and 400 pounds with a relatively short lifespan of 6 to 7 years.
The current IGFA All Tackle World Record for yellowfin tuna is 443 pounds, set by Earl Gill IV off Mexico's Lower Banks on November 11, 2024 and certified by the IGFA in April 2025. The previous record was a 405 pound fish caught off Magdalena Bay in 2010. Both records came out of Baja California waters, the same fishery that holds Gordo Banks.
What makes Gordo Banks yellowfin special
- Documented super cow catches over 300 pounds in recent seasons, including 365 and 370 pound fish weighed at La Playita
- Multiple class sizes available on the same trip, from school size 30 to 60 pound fish to true cow tuna over 200 pounds
- Bait stacks consistently on the seamount, drawn by year round upwelling
- Some of the fastest action anywhere, with limit days possible during peak bite windows
Yellowfin Tuna Season at Gordo Banks
Yellowfin tuna are caught at Gordo Banks every month of the year. The bite intensifies as warm water pushes north in late spring, peaks through summer and fall, and remains strong into early winter. Daliken's own fish reports consistently log 150 to 200 pound class fish during the peak window, with the biggest cows showing in the late summer to fall transition.
The cow tuna window
September and October consistently produce the largest yellowfin of the season. Water temperatures sit between 78 and 86 F, baitfish stack on the structure, and big cows feed aggressively before winter conditions arrive. November is the month of the Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot, when serious tuna anglers from across the world converge on the bank. If you want a shot at a 200 pound plus fish, this is your window.
The Tuna Zones We Work
Gordo Banks is not a single point but a system of structure with inner and outer banks, each producing differently depending on the day. Our captains choose where to start based on the latest reports, water color, current, and bait activity.
Gordo Banks Inner
The closer of the two main banks, holding consistent school size yellowfin and providing the fastest run from Puerto Los Cabos Marina. Productive on a 6 hour trip, ideal when the bite is hot early in the morning and you want to maximize time on the fish.
Gordo Banks Outer
The outer edge where the structure drops into deeper water. Where the cow class yellowfin tend to concentrate during peak season. The right call when you are specifically targeting bigger fish over 100 pounds and have the gear for a real stand up fight.
1150 Spot & Outer Pacific
When Gordo Banks is slow or pressured, the 1150 Spot and outer Pacific structure can deliver. Longer run time but worth it when conditions point that direction. Best fished on a full 8 hour day with the right boat.
Best Boats for Yellowfin Tuna in Our Fleet
Tuna fishing rewards boats that can run quickly to the banks, drift cleanly on chunk lines, and handle a heavy stand up fight. Two offshore boats in the Daliken fleet are built for this work, with a comfort option for groups that prefer extra shade and an onboard restroom.
Tiara
Our premium sportfisher and the top recommendation for cow tuna trips. Stable drift platform for chunking, the deck space for fighting a 200 pound class fish on stand up gear, and the range to push to the outer banks when needed.
ContactAbamar
Reliable offshore workhorse for mixed days. Fast run to the inner banks, comfortable platform for school size yellowfin action, and the right tackle for trips that combine tuna with marlin or dorado.
ContactHabanero
Comfort option with onboard restroom and shade. Works well for yellowfin tuna trips to Gordo Banks Inner during calm conditions. Family friendly choice for groups that include kids or first time offshore anglers.
From $450 ContactTackle and Technique for Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin tuna respond to a range of techniques depending on size class and conditions. Our boats run with the setup for fast school size action and the heavy gear for cow class fights, with the captain switching tactics based on what the bank is doing that day.
Chunking
- Anchor or drift over structure, cut up bait and feed it back in a controlled chunk line
- Drop a hooked bait in the line at the depth where fish are showing on sonar
- The classic technique for cow class yellowfin, used to set the current IGFA all tackle world record in 2024
Live bait and slow trolling
- Live caballito, sardines or live skipjack tuna are the top baits for big yellowfin at Gordo Banks
- Slow troll bait through productive zones or pitch into surface bait activity
- Watch for porpoise schools and diving birds, yellowfin frequently travel beneath them
Kite fishing
- Suspend live bait from a kite to keep it on the surface where big yellowfin attack
- Effective when fish are line shy or surface feeding
- Conditions dependent, the captain calls when it makes sense
Tackle setup
- School yellowfin (20 to 60 lb): 30 to 50 lb class spinning or conventional, 40 to 60 lb fluorocarbon
- Trophy yellowfin (60 to 150 lb): 50 to 80 lb class conventional, 80 to 100 lb fluorocarbon
- Cow yellowfin (150 lb plus): 80 to 130 lb class with circle hooks and heavy stand up rods
The Captains Who Run Our Gordo Banks Trips
Reading Gordo Banks is an art. Where to anchor, when to drift, how the current is running, where the bait is stacking. The captains who can make these calls fast are the ones who put groups on cow class fish. Our captains have been working this seamount for decades.
Pancho
One of our most experienced offshore captains and a specialist in reading bait movement at Gordo Banks. Pancho excels at finding the porpoise schools that yellowfin travel under and setting up the right drift to put the boat on consistent action.
Hollywood
Second generation fisherman born and raised in San Jose del Cabo, with over 35 years on these waters and tournament experience across the Cabo billfish and tuna circuit. Bilingual, calm under pressure, and the captain you want when the day calls for a real shot at a cow.
Ulices
Tournament minded captain with a track record on big fish across all offshore species. Ulices runs efficient days, knows exactly when to commit to a zone and when to relocate, and has put clients on multiple 150 plus pound yellowfin in recent seasons.
Catch Limits and Conservation
Pacific yellowfin tuna are managed under international cooperation and the stock is currently not overfished according to NOAA Fisheries. Daliken Sportfishing follows Mexican sportfishing regulations on bag limits and supports responsible practices, including releasing undersized fish and avoiding over harvest when a school is concentrated on the boat.
Yellowfin tuna are a legal keeper species in Mexico and one of the best table fish in the ocean. After the trip our crew handles catch cleaning and filleting at the marina at no extra charge. For groups taking fish home, we offer vacuum sealing and freezing for $2 USD per pound so the catch travels well.
What's Included in a Yellowfin Tuna Charter
- Private boat for your group only, no sharing with strangers
- Experienced bilingual captain and mate
- Tournament grade rods, reels, lures and rigged baits
- Bottled water and ice on board
- Catch cleaning and filleting at the marina
- Optional vacuum sealing and freezing for $2 USD per pound
What's not included
- Mexican sportfishing licenses at $20 USD per angler, available at check in
- Live bait at $30 to $50 USD per trip, essential for cow tuna trips
- Crew tip, typically 15 to 20 percent of the trip cost
- Round trip transportation from your hotel, available on request
Real Days at Gordo Banks
More photos from our boats at Gordo Banks. Every image on this page is from a real Daliken Sportfishing trip, no stock photography. The kind of days you sign up for when you book a private yellowfin tuna charter from Puerto Los Cabos Marina.
Yellowfin Tuna Fishing FAQ
When is yellowfin tuna season at Gordo Banks?
How far is Gordo Banks from Puerto Los Cabos Marina?
How big do yellowfin tuna get at Gordo Banks?
What technique do you use for cow tuna at Gordo Banks?
What tackle do you use for yellowfin tuna?
How long should a yellowfin tuna trip be?
Can we keep the yellowfin tuna we catch?
What does a yellowfin tuna charter cost?
Ready to Chase a Cow at Gordo Banks?
Send us your dates and group size. We will match you with the right boat, the right captain, and the right plan for the conditions on the day you want to fish.