Fishing in Los Cabos and Baja Sur

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Fishing

There are more than 800 species of fish in the waters off Los Cabos, and some anglers seem determined to catch them all. The most popular quarry are the huge blue, black, and striped marlin, which leap with glistening majesty in the sea. Anglers more interested in putting the catch-of-the-day on the table aim for dorado (also called mahimahi), tuna, and wahoo. Something's always biting, but the greatest diversity of species swim Cabo waters from June to November.

Fishing charters arranged through hotels or sportfishing companies include a captain and crew, tackle, bait, licenses, drinks, and sometimes lunch. Prices start at $375 per half-day for a 28-foot cruiser that can carry two or three passengers. A larger cruiser with a head (bathroom) and sunbathing space starts at about $500 -- from here, the sky's the limit. Private boats have air-conditioned staterooms, hot-water showers, full kitchens, and every other imaginable amenity. Pangas (small motorized skiffs) with a skipper rent for about $200 to $250 for six hours. They're most comfortable with one or two passengers. Companies typically try to help solo anglers hook up with a group to share a boat.

Vendors along the harbor-front in Cabo San Lucas offer all sorts of fishing options. To choose the best one for you, hang out at the harbor between 1 PM and 4 PM when the boats come in and ask the passengers about their experiences.

Anglers are strongly encouraged to release any fish they won't eat, rather than bring them in as trophies. Marlin are often hauled in to be weighed for photos and then discarded because the meat is not very tasty. The fish you bring in can be weighed and filleted at the docks, and vendors are available to take your catch away to be frozen, smoked, or canned. Most restaurants gladly prepare your catch any way you like. Nearly all boats leave from the Cabo San Lucas harbor, either from the sportfishing docks at the south end of the harbor or from behind the Plaza Las Glorias Hotel.

San José del Cabo

Most hotels in San José can arrange fishing trips. Until the Puerto Los Cabos marina north of San José is completed, you can only catch large sport-fishing boats out of the marina in Cabo San Lucas.

Fishing gear and line are available at Deportiva Piscis Fishing Tackle Shop (Calle Mauricio Castro, San José del Cabo. near Mercado Municipal. 624/142-0332). The pangas (small skiffs) of Gordo Banks Pangas (La Playa, near San José del Cabo. 624/142-1147; 800/408-1199 in U.S. www.gordobanks.com) are near some of the hottest fishing spots in the Sea of Cortez: the Outer and Inner Gordo Banks. The price for three anglers in a small panga runs from $200 to $240. Cruisers, which can accommodate four to six people, are available for $350 to $530 per day.

The Corridor

Some Corridor hotels have fishing fleets anchored at the Cabo San Lucas Marina; all can set up fishing trips. Francisco's Fleet (Playa Palmilla, the Corridor. 624/142-1092; 800/521-2281 / in U.S.) has long been a favorite for its pangas with shade awnings and plastic seats. The outfitter also has cruisers. Victor's Sport Fishing (624/122-1092) has a fleet of pangas on the Palmilla resort's beach. Rates start at $180.

Cabo San Lucas

The Gaviota Fleet (Bahía Condo hotel, Playa Médano, Cabo San Lucas. 624/143-0430 or 800/932-5599. www.grupobahia.com) currently holds the record for the largest marlin caught in Cabo's waters. The company has charter cruisers and pangas.

Jig Stop Tours (34186 Coast Hwy., Dana Point, CA, 92629. 800/521-2281 in U.S. www.jigstop.com) books fishing trips for several Los Cabos fleets.

Renowned tackle store Minerva's (Madero, between Blvd. Marina and Guerrero, Cabo San Lucas. 624/143-1282. www.minervas.com) has four charter-fishing boats.

At the long-established Solmar Fleet (Blvd. Marina, Cabo San Lucas. across from sport-fishing dock. 624/143-0646, 624/143-4542, or 800/344-3349. www.solmar.com), boats and tackle are always in good shape, and regulars wouldn't fish with anyone else.

Some of the Corridor's priciest hotels choose the Pisces Sportfishing Fleet (Cabo Maritime Center, Blvd. Marina, Cabo San Lucas. 624/143-1288. www.piscessportfishing.com). The fleet includes the usual 31-foot Bertrams, plus 50- to 70-foot Hatteras cruisers with tuna towers and staterooms.