Closing out August, the yellowfin tuna are still the best fishing out of Puerto Los Cabos Marina. The San Luis Bank and the Iman Bank are both producing well and the tuna action remains excellent, from schoolies on live sardines and poppers up to the big fish on live bait. The marlin and wahoo have slowed down this week, the dorado are running about 40 percent, and inshore the roosterfish are still active along the shoreline. If tuna is what you came for, the timing is right.
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
Today's Conditions
The water is warm and the bait is holding on the banks, which is exactly why the tuna have stayed put. We just came off the full moon and are now on a waning gibbous, so the tides are easing down from the spring range but there is still good current movement, and that keeps the bait active and the tuna feeding. The mornings have been the best window with a light south breeze and the flattest water at first light. This is a get-out-early week.
Tide, Moon and Currents
Coming off the full moon the water is still moving well, which keeps the bait stacked and the tuna on the feed over the banks. We run so the first light window and the morning tide movement line up, since that is when the surface activity is at its best. For exact times the day of your trip, check the live weather and tide report linked above.
Tuna Still Excellent at San Luis and Iman
The yellowfin have not let up. San Luis Bank and Iman Bank are both producing consistently, and the tuna remain the most reliable fishing in the area as August closes out. The schoolies are eating live sardines on the drift, and when the fish come up and boil on the surface, poppers have been deadly, which is some of the most exciting tuna fishing there is. Watching a yellowfin blow up on a topwater plug is something you do not forget.
For the bigger grade, live caballito and small skipjack are what it takes. Those fish require patience and heavy gear, but they are still in the area and worth the commitment if a trophy yellowfin is your goal. Either way, the tuna are the play right now and the banks are holding them.
The sharks are still around and they turn on at times. When they key in on an area they will tax hooked tuna during the fight and take baits off the line before you can get a fish to the boat. It is a running theme this summer with the bait and predators stacked on the same banks. Our crews handle it by fighting fish hard and fast and moving off the spot when the sharks show up, rather than feeding them fish after fish. Worth knowing going in that not every hookup makes it to the deck right now.
The Bite Right Now, Species by Species
Here is the honest breakdown of what our crews and the rest of the fleet are seeing from the shoreline out to the banks.
Yellowfin Tuna
Still excellent and the clear target. San Luis and Iman both holding fish. Live sardines on the drift for steady action, poppers when they boil on the surface, and live caballito or small skipjack for the bigger grade. Start up-current of the marks and adjust weight to the drift speed.
Marlin and Wahoo
Both have slowed this week. The marlin bite is off compared to earlier in the month and the wahoo have been scarce. We keep a rod rigged and ready in case one shows while we are working the banks, but neither is a realistic target to build a day around right now.
Dorado
Running about 40 percent, so call it a coin flip leaning against. When they do show they have been good size, coming on rigged ballyhoo and lures while working the offshore water. A welcome bonus fish and excellent eating, but not something to plan the trip around this week.
Roosterfish and Inshore
Still active along the shoreline. The roosters remain the reliable light tackle option close to the marina, eating live caballito and green jacks, with jacks mixed in. All roosterfish released. A great half-day choice if the long offshore run is not what you are after.
Roosterfish Holding On Along the Beach
The gallos have been a constant all summer and they are still active as we close out August. Live caballito and green jacks along the shoreline are producing, and every rooster goes back in the water. If you want steady action, a spectacular light tackle fight and a shorter day on the water, the roosters are right there and still eating.
Fish the Tuna Banks Early and Watch for Surface Boils
My call this week is simple: we run to San Luis or Iman at first light and fish tuna. Come off the full moon the current is still moving, and the early window is when the fish come up and boil. When that happens we throw poppers, and that is the most fun tuna fishing you can have. Otherwise we drift live sardines over the marks and stay patient. If you want a bigger fish we put out live caballito or a small skipjack and commit to it. The marlin and wahoo are slow this week and the dorado are a coin flip, so I would not build the day around either, though we always keep a rod ready in case something shows. If the sharks fire up, trust the crew when we say move. And bring sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water, because the late August sun is still fierce out there.
Tuna Tackle by Size
Tuna fishing is not one setup. Here is what we run for each class of fish so you know what to expect and what to bring if you fish your own gear.
| Tuna Class | Rod | Reel | Line and Leader | Hook and Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 to 80 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 | 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook, live sardine, light drag and let them run first |
| Surface boils Popper setup |
7.5 to 8 ft popping rod, medium-heavy | 8000 to 14000 size spinner, high retrieve speed | 65 to 80 lb braid, 60 to 80 lb fluorocarbon leader | Topwater popper or stickbait with upgraded hooks, cast ahead of the boil |
| 150 lb and up Bigger grade |
Heavy stand-up, 80 to 130 lb class | 50W to 80W two-speed, full drag capability | 100 to 130 lb main line, 200 to 300 lb leader | 9/0 to 11/0 circle hook, live caballito or small skipjack, harness and gimbal belt |
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 doing right now. The popper setup in particular is worth having ready this week, because when the tuna come up on the surface the topwater bite is the best action of the day.
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
- Surface technique: when the tuna boil, cast poppers or stickbaits ahead of the school and retrieve fast, one of the most exciting bites of the season
- Bigger tuna technique: live caballito or small skipjack, be patient and let the fish eat before coming tight, heavy gear only
- Marlin and wahoo: both slow this week, but we keep a rigged ballyhoo and a lure ready in case one shows while working the banks
- Roosterfish setup: spinning gear with 30 to 50 lb braid, live caballito and green jacks along the shoreline, all released
- Sun protection: sunscreen, hat, polarized sunglasses and plenty of water are essential in the late summer heat
San Luis and Iman are still loaded with tuna as August closes out. Sardines on the drift, poppers on the boils and live bait for the big ones. The marlin can wait, this is a tuna week.
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 San Luis and Iman tuna program, and the pangas are perfect for the inshore roosterfish bite. 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 tuna banks 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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