Dorado Fishing in San Jose del Cabo
Private mahi mahi charters from Puerto Los Cabos Marina, peak season July through October
Dorado (also called mahi mahi) are one of the most exciting and family friendly target species off San Jose del Cabo. Peak season runs July through October, with bull dorado over 40 pounds caught regularly along weed lines and current edges. Daliken Sportfishing runs private charters from Puerto Los Cabos Marina with the right tackle for fast surface action.
The Most Colorful Game Fish in the Pacific
If you only have one day on the water in San Jose del Cabo and you want a guaranteed memory, dorado is the species to target. These fish strike aggressively, fight hard with spectacular aerial leaps, light up in green and gold and electric blue when hooked, and finish the day as one of the finest meals you will ever eat. They are the perfect target for families, first time offshore anglers, and serious sportsmen who want a fast bite alongside their billfish trip.
At Daliken Sportfishing we know exactly where the dorado are stacking each month of the season. Floating debris, sargassum lines, current edges. Less time searching, more time on fish.
About the Pacific Dorado
The dorado (Coryphaena hippurus), known as mahi mahi in Hawaiian, dolphinfish in English markets, and dorado in Spanish, is one of the fastest growing fish in the ocean. According to NOAA Fisheries, dorado can reach over 4 feet in their first year of life and over 6 feet in four years, with a relatively short lifespan of approximately 5 years.
The current IGFA All Tackle World Record for dorado is 87 pounds, caught by Manuel Salazar off the Gulf of Papagayo in Costa Rica on September 25, 1976. The record has stood for nearly 50 years. Cabo waters have produced multiple fish over 75 pounds historically, including women's line class records set off Cabo San Lucas in the 1990s.
What makes dorado special
- Iridescent green, gold and electric blue colors that change in real time via chromatophores in the skin
- Among the fastest growing fish in the ocean, reaching 40 pounds in less than a year
- Bull dorado, the larger males, develop a distinctive square forehead crest as they mature
- Travel in schools and follow floating structure, often coming up boatside in groups for multi hookup action
- Considered one of the finest eating fish in the ocean with firm white mild flesh
Dorado Season in San Jose del Cabo
Dorado are warm water fish that show up as Pacific currents push tropical water north along the Baja peninsula. Action builds in June, peaks through summer and fall, and continues into early winter in good years.
When the big bulls show up
September and October consistently produce the largest dorado of the year. Water temperatures sit between 80 and 86 F, sargassum and floating debris stack up along current lines, and bull dorado in the 40 plus pound class come up to feed. This is also when dorado overlap with blue marlin and yellowfin tuna at Gordo Banks, opening up genuinely productive mixed bag days.
Where to Find Dorado off San Jose del Cabo
Dorado are surface dwellers that follow floating structure and current edges. We do not fish a fixed bank for them, we fish the conditions. The captain reads water color, current seams, sargassum lines, and anything floating that might hold fish.
Sargassum Lines
Floating sargassum weed lines form during peak summer months and concentrate dorado along their edges. Bait schools shelter under the weed, dorado hunt them, and the action can be fast and visual. Sight casting opportunities are common when conditions are right.
Gordo Banks Edges
The structure at Gordo Banks holds bait that attracts dorado throughout peak season. We often catch dorado as part of mixed bag days targeting yellowfin tuna or marlin at the bank. Bull dorado push the structure looking for bait balls.
Floating Debris
Logs, palm fronds, ropes, anything floating in open water can hold a school of dorado. Our captains run search patterns through productive water during peak season specifically looking for these high payoff targets. One floating object can produce a dozen fish.
Best Boats for Dorado in Our Fleet
Dorado are caught on lighter tackle than billfish and stay closer to shore than tuna trips. Most groups choose the 28 ft Habanero for dedicated dorado days, but the 35 ft Tiara and 33 ft Abamar work well when combining dorado with billfish or tuna.
Habanero
Our top recommendation for family dorado trips. Onboard restroom, shade, comfortable layout for kids and first time anglers, and the right size to maneuver through sargassum lines and floating structure. Most popular choice for dedicated dorado days.
From $450 ContactAbamar
Reliable offshore workhorse for mixed bag days. Run to Gordo Banks early for tuna or marlin, then work the sargassum lines on the way back for dorado. Excellent platform when the trip is more than just dorado.
ContactTiara
Premium sportfisher for groups that want the comfort of a larger boat without giving up on dorado action. Strong choice when combining dorado with serious billfish work or longer offshore days.
ContactTackle and Technique for Dorado
Dorado are aggressive surface feeders that respond to a wide range of presentations. Our boats run with the setup for fast action and the option to switch to bigger gear when bulls show up.
Trolling
- Small skirted lures in pink and white, blue and white, green and yellow at 6 to 8 knots
- Rigged ballyhoo with chuggers, the classic dorado bait
- Spread of 4 to 5 lines worked through productive water
Casting and pitch bait
- When a dorado shows in the spread or under floating debris, pitch a live bait or topwater plug
- Soft plastics on jigheads are deadly when fish are following the boat
- Spinning gear keeps the fight fun and visual
Tackle
- School dorado (5 to 25 lb): 20 to 30 lb class spinning or conventional with 30 to 40 lb fluorocarbon
- Bull dorado (30 to 50 lb plus): 30 to 50 lb class conventional with 50 to 60 lb fluorocarbon
- Circle hooks for catch and release, J hooks when keeping fish for the table
The Captains Who Run Our Dorado Trips
Finding dorado is about reading water. Where the current seams are, where the sargassum is drifting, what color the water turns at the edges. Our captains have decades of experience reading these signs off San Jose del Cabo.
Pancho
One of our most experienced offshore captains and a specialist in reading current edges where dorado stack up. Pancho excels at finding floating structure and working sargassum lines for fast multi hookup days on dorado.
Hollywood
Second generation fisherman born and raised in San Jose del Cabo, with over 35 years on these waters. Bilingual, patient with first time anglers, and the right captain for family days when dorado is the priority.
Ulices
Tournament minded captain with a track record across all offshore species. Ulices runs efficient mixed bag days, putting groups on dorado in the morning and shifting to bigger targets when conditions point that way.
Bag Limits and the Best Eating Fish in the Ocean
Pacific dorado are one of the most sustainable game fish on the planet thanks to their fast growth rate and short reproductive cycle. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with healthy populations across the eastern Pacific. Mexican sportfishing regulations allow 2 dorado per angler per day, which respects the resource while letting groups take home a meaningful catch.
Dorado are widely considered one of the finest eating fish in the ocean with firm white mild flavored flesh that takes well to grilling, ceviche, tacos, or pan seared. Daliken offers free filleting at the marina after the trip and optional vacuum sealing and freezing for $2 USD per pound so you can take the catch home or to your hotel restaurant.
What's Included in a Dorado 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 when needed
- Crew tip, typically 15 to 20 percent of the trip cost
- Round trip transportation from your hotel, available on request
Real Dorado Days with Daliken
More photos from our boats off San Jose del Cabo. 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 dorado charter at Puerto Los Cabos Marina.
Dorado Fishing FAQ
When is dorado season in San Jose del Cabo?
What is the difference between dorado and mahi mahi?
How big do dorado get in Cabo?
Where do we fish for dorado near San Jose del Cabo?
What techniques do you use for dorado?
Can we keep the dorado we catch?
Are dorado good for first time anglers and families?
What does a dorado charter cost?
Ready for a Day on Dorado?
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.