The port reopened and the fishing came back better than it left. After Hurricane Marie forced the Port Captain to close San José del Cabo for three days, the first boats back out found the tuna wide open at the San Luis and Iman banks, and it has stayed excellent since. There are skipjack everywhere, the fish over 100 pounds are still coming on small skipjack and chihuil, and the 30 to 40 pound grade is eating sardines. One important note before you book: the sardines can be scarce in the mornings, so bait needs to be ordered a day ahead. Marlin, dorado and wahoo are scarce right now, and there is a good reason for it.
Check the live San José del Cabo weather and sea conditions before your trip so you fish the right window.
Check the Live Weather Report
Daliken Sportfishing Report
Hurricane Marie Closed the Port for Three Days
Tropical Storm Marie formed on September 1 and strengthened quickly, and the Capitanía de Puerto ordered the closure of the San José del Cabo port that same evening. The system went on to reach Category 2 hurricane strength as it tracked northwest offshore of the peninsula. It never made landfall here, but it brought heavy rain, street flooding across Los Cabos and swells that topped 10 to 12 feet, and all navigation was suspended for safety. The port stayed closed for three days.
When it reopened, the fishing was outstanding. The activity started off excellent from the first day back, which is what we often see once a system stirs and oxygenates the water column and gets the bait moving. That is exactly where we are now, with bait everywhere and the tuna feeding.
Today's Conditions
Conditions have settled back to fishable and the water is alive after the storm. We are on a waning crescent approaching the new moon later this week, which means the tides are building back up from neap toward the spring range with stronger current, and that moving water is keeping the bait concentrated and the tuna feeding. Nearshore the water is still a little stirred up and off color from the storm runoff, which affects the shoreline fishing more than the offshore banks.
Tide, Moon and Currents
With the new moon coming later this week, the tides are building back toward the spring range and the current is picking up. Combined with the post-storm mixing, the water is really moving and the bait is stacked, which is a big part of why the tuna are feeding so well. We time the run so the first light window and the morning tide movement line up over the banks.
Tuna Wide Open at San Luis and Iman
The tuna fishing has been outstanding since the port reopened and both the San Luis Bank and the Iman Bank are producing. There is an enormous amount of skipjack in the area right now, which is both good news and part of the story, because that bait is what has the tuna in the zone and feeding.
The bigger fish, over 100 pounds, are still eating small live skipjack or chihuil. That is the classic Gordo and San Luis big tuna program and it works, but it takes patience. The 30 to 40 pound grade is eating live sardines and that bite has been steady and productive, which makes for a fantastic day on the water for anyone who wants consistent action and quality fish in the box.
Order Your Bait a Day Ahead
Here is a practical detail that can make or break your morning. The sardines have been scarce some mornings, and if you show up at the dock hoping to buy live bait on the spot, you may not get it. Bait needs to be ordered with the bait sellers a day in advance so it is ready and waiting when you leave. We handle this for our guests as part of the trip, but if you are running your own boat or booking with another operator, make the call the day before. Showing up without sardines on a week when the 30 to 40 pound tuna are eating them is a wasted morning.
Marlin, dorado and wahoo are scarce right now, and there is a reason beyond just numbers. Several captains have reported seeing marlin floating and sunning on the surface, but they simply will not eat. With this much bait in the water, the fish are full. It is a frustrating situation that every experienced angler down here recognizes: you can raise a fish, put a perfect bait in front of it, and get nothing, because it has already fed. That is the honest picture this week. We keep a rod rigged and ready in case one turns on, but the tuna are where the fishing is.
Which Trip Is Right for You
This week the fishing splits clearly into two very different experiences depending on your background. Here is our honest guidance so you book the right day.
Go for the Big Tuna
If you have fought heavy fish before and you understand that trophy fishing means waiting, go after the tuna over 100 pounds on small skipjack or chihuil. The fish are here and they are eating that bait. What it requires is patience: you put the bait out and you wait for the bite, sometimes for a long stretch of quiet water. When it comes, it is the fight you came to Los Cabos for. This is a serious angler's day and we will run it exactly that way.
The 30 to 40 lb Tuna Is Excellent
If this is your first time offshore, you are bringing family, or you simply want a day with plenty of action, the 30 to 40 pound tuna on live sardines is the perfect trip right now. These fish pull hard enough to give you a real fight and a great story, they come consistently, and they are outstanding eating. You stay busy, everybody catches, and you go home with fish. For most visiting anglers this week, this is the trip we recommend.
The Bite Right Now, Species by Species
Yellowfin Tuna, Big Grade
Fish over 100 lb still coming on small live skipjack and chihuil at San Luis and Iman. Heavy gear and patience required. Put the bait out, work the bank and wait for the window. The fish are in the area, it is a matter of being there when they decide to eat.
Yellowfin Tuna, 30 to 40 lb
Excellent and consistent on live sardines. Drift over the marks, start up-current, keep a measured chum line. This is the high-action, high-percentage fishing right now and perfect for most anglers. Just remember the sardines need to be ordered ahead.
Marlin, Dorado and Wahoo
All scarce this week. Captains have seen marlin floating on the surface but they are not eating, because the water is full of bait and the fish are full. We keep gear rigged in case that changes, but none of the three is a target to build a day around right now.
Roosterfish and Inshore
The roosters are still along the shoreline, though the water is still a bit stirred up and off color from the storm runoff, which has made the inshore fishing tougher than it was. As the water clears over the coming days the rooster bite should improve. All roosterfish released.
Roosters Still There, Water Still Clearing
The gallos have not gone anywhere and are still active along the shoreline, but the storm left the nearshore water somewhat stirred up and off color, which makes them harder to find and harder to fool. Live caballito and green jacks are still the bait of choice. Give it a few more days of settled weather and the water should clean up, and when it does the shoreline should turn back on. All roosterfish are released.
Fish the Tuna and Book Your Bait Ahead
This is a tuna week and an easy call. We run to San Luis or Iman at first light and fish the banks. Before you even get on the boat, though, make sure your bait is ordered, because the sardines have been thin some mornings and that is the difference between a great day and a slow one. Once we are out there, tell me honestly what kind of angler you are. If you have the experience and the patience for a big fish, we put out a small skipjack or a chihuil and we commit to the wait, and the payoff is a tuna over 100 pounds. If you want steady action, we drift sardines for the 30 to 40 pound grade and you will stay busy all morning. Do not come expecting marlin or dorado this week, they are around but they are full and they are not eating. And with the current building toward the new moon, the early window is the best water movement of the day.
Tuna Tackle by Size
Different grades of tuna need different setups. Here is what we run so you know what to expect and what to bring if you fish your own gear.
| Tuna Class | Rod | Reel | Line and Leader | Bait and Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 to 40 lb School grade |
7 ft medium-heavy, 30 to 50 lb class | 6500 to 8000 size spinner, or 30 class conventional | 50 to 65 lb braid, 40 to 50 lb fluorocarbon leader | Live sardine, 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook, light drag and let them run first |
| 60 to 100 lb Mid grade |
6.5 to 7 ft stand-up, 50 to 80 lb class | 50 class two-speed lever drag | 80 lb braid or mono, 80 to 100 lb fluorocarbon leader | Live sardine or caballito, 5/0 to 7/0 circle, gimbal belt recommended |
| 100 lb and up Big grade |
Heavy stand-up or bent butt, 80 to 130 lb class | 50W to 80W two-speed, full drag capability | 100 to 130 lb main line, 200 to 300 lb leader | Small live skipjack or chihuil, 9/0 to 11/0 circle, harness and gimbal belt essential |
All of this gear is on board and included on our trips. If you prefer to fish your own rods, this table matches what the fish are eating right now.
Tackle and Techniques
What We Are Running
- School tuna technique: drift live sardines over the marks at San Luis and Iman, start up-current, measured chum line, adjust weight to current speed
- Big tuna technique: small live skipjack or chihuil worked over the bank, patience is the whole game, let the fish eat before coming tight
- Bait logistics: order sardines with the bait sellers a day in advance, they have been scarce some mornings and you cannot count on buying at the dock
- Billfish: keep a rigged ballyhoo ready in case a fish turns on, but with this much bait in the water they have been full and refusing
- Roosterfish setup: spinning gear with 30 to 50 lb braid, live caballito and green jacks along the shoreline, tougher while the water clears, all released
- Sun protection: sunscreen, hat, polarized sunglasses and plenty of water, the September sun is still intense
The Week Ahead
With Marie moving off into the open Pacific, the skies are clearing and conditions are settling back to normal September weather: hot, humid, mostly clear and with the lightest wind in the early mornings. The nearshore water should continue to clean up over the coming days, which should improve the shoreline roosterfish bite. Offshore, with the new moon arriving later this week the tides build toward the spring range, so the current should stay strong and keep the bait and the tuna active on the banks.
One reminder that matters this time of year: September is peak hurricane season in Baja California Sur, and conditions can change fast. We monitor the Capitanía de Puerto notices daily and no trip goes out if the port is closed or conditions are unsafe. If a system develops during your stay, we will keep you informed and work with you on rescheduling. Always check the live weather report before your trip.
Three days of closed port, and the ocean came back hungry. Tuna wide open at San Luis and Iman, bait everywhere, and the marlin so full they will not even look at a bait.
From the Day on the Water
Book Your Trip
Our fleet runs daily out of Puerto Los Cabos Marina in San José del Cabo, the quieter side of Los Cabos away from the Cabo San Lucas crowds. The bigger boats have the range and the heavy gear for the big tuna program, and the pangas are perfect for the sardine bite and the inshore action. Choose the boat that fits your group:
Fish With Us From the Cabo San Lucas Side
On the Cabo San Lucas side instead? Our California 32ft runs out of Cabo San Lucas with legendary Captain Roberto and quality gear including Shimano Talica reels. Same honest fishing, no need to cross to San José.
Looking for a Bigger Boat?
Larger groups or anglers who want more space, range and heavy tackle for the big tuna program can see the full lineup on our fleet page.
View the Full FleetBrowse our latest Los Cabos fishing reports for the full week of catches and conditions out of Puerto Los Cabos Marina.
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