Target Species Guide

Cabo San Lucas sits where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez, and that mix of currents brings an unusually wide range of game fish within reach of a single charter. Here's what's actually being targeted, and what makes each one worth going after.

Striped marlin

Cabo's signature catch, and the reason the region is sometimes called the striped marlin capital of the world. Striped marlin are available in some numbers nearly year-round, with the strongest run typically from November through March or April. They're usually worked by trolling lures at a moderate pace, and a marlin that ignores a trolled lure will often still take a live bait dropped back to it — reading that behavior in the moment is part of what a good local crew brings to the trip.

Blue and black marlin

The larger, heavier marlin species, generally showing up in the warmer months — roughly June through November, peaking in mid-to-late summer. Black marlin in particular can reach enormous size, with trophy fish typically the larger females. These are usually fished with larger live bait and heavier tackle than striped marlin, given the size difference.

Dorado (mahi-mahi)

Colorful, fast, and a strong eating fish — dorado tend to gather around floating debris and weed lines offshore, which makes them a reliable target for trolling. They're available for much of the year, with the best action typically from around May through November. Dorado are often the fish that turns a slower day into an exciting one, given how aggressively they strike.

Yellowfin tuna

A powerful, high-endurance fish, with the larger "cow" tuna (well over 200 lbs in some cases) a genuine trophy catch. Yellowfin fishing in Cabo often uses live bait, trolling, or a technique called kite fishing — flying a bait above the water on a kite to imitate a struggling flying fish — and success can shift day to day with water temperature and bait presence. Best months typically run from late spring through the end of the year.

Wahoo

Known for speed and sharp teeth, wahoo often show up as a bonus catch on a trip targeting something else, rather than a fish planned around specifically. They're fished with high-speed trolling and require wire leaders to handle their teeth. Available across a wide window, roughly summer through fall in most years.

Inshore species: snapper and others

Closer to shore, bottom fishing and jigging produce snapper (locally called pargo, with several distinct varieties around Los Cabos) and similar reef species year-round — a good option for a shorter trip or a group that wants steady action without heading far offshore.

What this means for planning a trip with The Marlin Hunter

• Species availability shifts by season — see the Cabo Fishing Seasons guide for the month-by-month pattern.
• A shorter or inshore-focused trip (well suited to Mila Rose or Gaviota IX) is a good fit for snapper and other reef species, or for a first-time or family group that wants reliable action without a long run offshore.
• A full-day trip further offshore (particularly aboard Decimal Dust or The Marlin Hunter 33') suits marlin, tuna, and wahoo, which tend to require more time and distance to reach.
• Share a target species when booking, and the crew can match the trip plan and location to what's actually running that week.