Fishing charters San Jose del Cabo

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Angler holding a freshly caught fish at sunrise on a Daliken Sportfishing charter in San José del Cabo

Daliken Sportfishing — San José del Cabo

Fishing Calendar — Monthly Species Guide

Plan your trip around peak seasons. See when each species is most active off San José del Cabo, so you book at exactly the right time.

Updated May 2026 · Based on 10+ years of local data by Daliken Sportfishing

Excellent Very Good Good Fair Low
Species JANFEBMAR APRMAYJUN JULAUGSEP OCTNOVDEC
Striped Marlin Fair Fair Low Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Good Good Excellent Good Fair
Blue / Black Marlin Low Low Low Fair Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Good Good Fair Low
Yellowfin Tuna Fair Fair Fair Good Excellent Excellent Good Good Fair Good Fair Fair
Mahi-Mahi (Dorado) Low Low Low Fair Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Good Fair Low
Roosterfish Good Very Good Excellent Excellent Good Fair Fair Low Low Fair Good Good
Sierra Mackerel Excellent Excellent Very Good Good Fair Low Low Low Fair Good Very Good Excellent
Wahoo Fair Excellent Excellent Fair Fair Low Low Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Fair
Snapper / Grouper Excellent Excellent Good Good Fair Fair Fair Fair Good Excellent Excellent Excellent
Amberjack Good Excellent Good Good Fair Fair Low Low Fair Good Excellent Good

Striped Marlin

Peak: May to Jul and Oct

The signature catch of San José del Cabo. Best offshore with a full sportfisher.

Blue / Black Marlin

Peak: Jun to Aug

Trophy-class billfish. Warm summer waters bring the biggest individuals.

Yellowfin Tuna

Peak: May to Jun

Hard-fighting and delicious. Found in offshore schools from spring onward.

Mahi-Mahi (Dorado)

Peak: Jun to Sep

The most colorful fish in Baja and one of the best to eat. Summer staple.

Roosterfish

Peak: Mar to Apr

Iconic inshore species with a fierce fight. Best on pangas near the beach.

Wahoo

Peak: Feb to Mar and Sep to Nov

The fastest fish in the sea. Two peak windows make it a great target year-round.

Sierra Mackerel

Peak: Jan to Feb and Dec

Excellent winter fishing. Great for beginners and perfect for ceviche.

Snapper and Grouper

Peak: Oct to Feb

Bottom-fishing giants. Reliable year-round, at their best through winter.

Amberjack

Peak: Feb and Nov

Powerful reef fighter. Underrated and one of the strongest pulls you will feel.

When to Fish in San José del Cabo

San José del Cabo sits at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. This geography creates one of the world's most productive sport fishing zones, with year-round activity and a rotating cast of species that peaks at different times throughout the year.

Fall is the golden season. October through December brings peak conditions for multiple species at once: striped marlin, wahoo, snapper, and amberjack are all at their best simultaneously. This is also the period when the largest blue marlin are most likely to be encountered offshore. If you can only come once, plan for October or November.

Summer is ideal for pelagics. June through September delivers the best action for dorado (mahi-mahi), blue and black marlin, and yellowfin tuna. Water temperatures rise and bait concentrations push offshore game fish closer to the coast. This is the season for serious billfishing on our deep sea fishing charters.

Winter and spring are underrated. January through April means excellent sierra mackerel, roosterfish, snapper, and wahoo. Sea conditions are calm, crowds are lower, and charter rates are the same, making this a smart time to book for families and first-time anglers on our inshore panga charters.

Ready to plan your trip? Read our full Best Time to Fish guide or check our latest fish reports for current conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best month to fish in San José del Cabo?
October, November and December offer peak conditions for multiple species simultaneously: striped marlin, wahoo, and snapper are all at their best. May through August is prime for dorado (mahi-mahi) and blue marlin. If you can only come once, October or November are the strongest months overall.
When is marlin season in San José del Cabo?
Striped marlin peak from May to July and again in October. Blue and black marlin are most active from June through August. The fall window (October to November) is considered the golden season for trophy marlin in San José del Cabo.
Is there year-round fishing in San José del Cabo?
Yes. San José del Cabo offers year-round fishing. Even in slower months (January to March) there are active species like sierra mackerel, snapper, grouper, and roosterfish making it a great destination in any season.