Summer fishing is booming in Cabo San Lucas

If you’re looking for a summer fishing destination that offers world-class action across multiple species, Cabo San Lucas should be at the top of your list. June is one of the most exciting turns of the fishing calendar in Los Cabos, and right now, the flavor is as diverse as it is anywhere in the world.

I recently connected with the owner, Arturo Chacon Tags Cabo SportfishingWho gave me first-hand reports on what fishermen are experiencing on the water right now. Chacón knows these waters as well as anyone, and his reports are making me count down the days until my July trip.

“June is one of my favorite months,” Chacon said. “Water temperatures are in the low 80s, bait schools are forming, and we’re getting multiple species at the same time. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

striped marlin

Striped marlin fishing remains the highlight of the offshore scene, with consistent action around 1150 Bank, Herradura, Palmilla and Gordo Bank. Multiple hookups in the same morning are common, and Chacon said the early bite window is where you want to be.

“Get out there quickly,” he said. “Striped marlin are traveling with small tuna schools along the current shore, and when conditions are right at sunrise, the game begins. Live caballitos and slow-moving ballyhoo are getting the job done.”

As water temperatures continue to rise, blue marlin have also become more frequent sightings, with a few black marlin mixed in offshore.

tuna and wahoo

Yellowfin tuna have become increasingly prevalent around Vinorama, San Luis, Iman Bank and Gordo Bank. Most fish are ranging from 10 to 40 pounds, although larger fish are beginning to appear. Some boats have reported quick limits during the morning hours before the wind increases.

Wahoo fishing has also improved, especially near structure and high ground around Gordo Banks. “Dark colored high-speed trolling lures are the ticket for wahoo right now,” Chacon said. “And the numbers of dorado continue to increase every day. We’re finding them from Punta Gorda all the way to the Pacific.”

shore action

For anglers looking for something close to shore, the cockroach bite has been exceptional. Off the beaches from Palmilla to East Cape the fish are feeding aggressively, chasing live sardines in the surf line during the first few hours after sunrise.

“There is something special about cockroach activity this time of year,” Chacon said. “Poppers, stickbaits, live bait, they’re eating it all. If you’ve never fished a cock on light tackle, you need to get down here.”

Bottom fishing around rocky structure in 150 to 300 feet of water is also producing solid action on grouper, snapper, amberjack and jack crevalle.

Chacon has an optimistic outlook heading into the summer. As water temperatures continue to rise during June and July, the bite for both Dorado and Blue Marlin is expected to improve significantly, meaning the best fishing of the summer may still be ahead.