July is here and with it the moment every offshore angler waits for. Blue marlin are starting to show out of Puerto Los Cabos Marina, marking the opening of Los Cabos trophy billfish season. The tuna bite is offshore right now, following the porpoise well out to sea starting around 20 miles from the coast, with fish from 30 to 100 pounds. Striped marlin remain active in the area, the mahi mahi bite has slowed, and inshore the roosterfish are still firing along the shoreline. Big game offshore and one of the best rooster bites of the year on the beach, this is Los Cabos summer fishing coming into its own.
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
Today's Conditions
The water is warm and blue offshore, exactly the conditions that bring the blue marlin in and keep the tuna schools moving with the porpoise. On the Cortez side the water sits in the upper 70s, while cooler blue water holds out on the offshore edges where the pelagics are concentrating. We are just past the full moon on a waning gibbous, so the tides are still moving well but easing off the peak. South wind has come up on some mornings and pushed greener water inshore, so an early start and a run to the clean blue is the play.
Tide, Moon and Currents
Just off the full moon, the water is still moving with good current, which the pelagics use to feed. We time the run so first light and the morning tide movement line up, and offshore we follow the porpoise and bird activity to the tuna. For exact times the day of your trip, check the live weather and tide report linked above.
Blue Marlin Are Starting
This is the news the offshore crowd waits all year for. The blue marlin are beginning to show, right on schedule as July opens the trophy billfish season in Los Cabos. These are the fish that made this coast the Marlin Capital of the World, and the window is opening now and building through summer into the fall. Trolling lures and rigged ballyhoo on the clean blue water offshore is the program, with heavy gear ready and a pitch bait for any fish that comes up on the teasers. If a trophy blue is on your bucket list, the season is officially underway.
Tuna on the Porpoise: 30 to 100 Pounds
The tuna bite has moved well offshore. The fish are following the porpoise pods, starting around 20 miles from the coast and out, with yellowfin from 30 to 100 pounds in the mix. Finding the porpoise is finding the tuna, so we run offshore, look for the pods and bird activity, and work live bait and lures around them. It is a longer run, but the payoff is quality tuna and a real shot at a bigger cow. Come ready to cover water and put in the fight.
Roosterfish Are Still Very Active Inshore
While the big game is happening offshore, the shoreline is still on fire. The roosterfish remain very active along the beach, giving anglers the best light tackle fight in the region. Live caballito and green jacks along the shoreline are the ticket, and we run to whichever stretch is fishing best that morning based on wind and water color. Every roosterfish is released to protect this iconic fishery. If you want non-stop action without the long offshore run, the gallos are the answer 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 offshore banks and beyond.
Blue Marlin
Starting to show as July opens the season. Trolling lures and rigged ballyhoo on the clean blue water offshore, heavy gear ready. The first fish of the trophy billfish run that builds all summer. This is the one every offshore angler wants a shot at, and the window is opening now.
Yellowfin Tuna
The offshore story. Fish 30 to 100 lb following the porpoise starting around 20 miles out. Find the pods and the birds, work live bait and lures around them. A longer run but quality tuna and a shot at a bigger fish. Bring your stamina, these are hard pullers.
Striped Marlin
Still active in the area alongside the arriving blues. Raising them on trolled lures and ballyhoo, with a pitch bait ready for the ones that come up on the teasers. A classic Los Cabos billfish target that keeps producing shots for boats working the offshore water.
Mahi Mahi and Inshore
The dorado bite has slowed compared to earlier in the season, so they are more of a bonus fish right now than a target. Inshore, the roosterfish more than make up for it, with jacks mixed in along the same shoreline to keep the light tackle busy.
Two Great Games: Offshore Trophy or Inshore Action
This week gives you a clear choice and both are excellent. If you want a trophy, we run offshore early, chase the porpoise pods past 20 miles for the 30 to 100 lb tuna, and work the clean blue water for the blue and striped marlin that are on right now. It is a longer run and a real hunt, but this is how the biggest fish of the summer come aboard. If you want steady action and an incredible fight without the distance, we stay inshore for the roosterfish, which are still very active on the beach, and mix in jacks on light tackle. My advice: decide what matters most to you, the trophy hunt or the non-stop bite, and leave the marina at first light either way. The early window with the moving tide is always the best.
Tackle and Gear
What We Are Running
- Blue marlin setup: 80 to 130 lb stand-up gear, 300 to 500 lb leaders, trolled lures and rigged ballyhoo on the clean blue water offshore, pitch bait ready
- Tuna setup: 30 to 60 lb test, live bait and lures worked around the porpoise pods past 20 miles, heavier gear ready for the bigger cows
- Striped marlin setup: 80 to 130 lb rods, 200 to 400 lb leaders, lures and ballyhoo on the offshore water, pitch rod with live bait
- Roosterfish setup: spinning gear with 30 to 50 lb braid, live caballito and green jacks along the shoreline
- Finding the fish: offshore we run on porpoise pods and bird activity for the tuna, and read the water color for the clean blue where the marlin hold
- Bait: live caballito, green jacks and sardines all available and key to the tuna and inshore bites
Blue marlin starting, tuna on the porpoise past 20 miles, and roosters still firing on the beach. July opens the trophy season in Los Cabos, and the offshore hunt is officially on.
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 for the offshore tuna and blue marlin hunt, 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 amenities for the offshore run 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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