Located at the very southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, the port of Cabo San Lucas is truly "at lands end." A combination of natural features explains why so many pelagic (adj. living or growing at or near the surface of the ocean) fish gather here in such large numbers.


The open-ocean gamefish of Cabo San Lucas are among the strongest in the world. Leave your trout rods, fine tippets, and finesse at home, and come prepared to do battle.

Waters from the Sea of Cortez (sometimes called the Gulf of California by "gringos") and the Pacific Ocean merge just south of Cabo San Lucas. Each body of water has a different temperature and the area where the waters meet creates a third temperature zone. All oceanic fish are very particular about the water temperature they swim in. The baitfish go where they're most comfortable, and the predator fish follow them. With at least three different water temperatures available all year long, there are always sport fish in Cabo waters.


There is an abundance of sea life near the port of Cabo San Lucas. Porpoises, humpback whales, seals, sea lions, brown pelicans, and frigate birds are just a few of the sights you are likely to see in the area.

Another natural physical phenomenon is a number of deep canyons just off shore. They create an upward movement of water, providing an upswell of nutrients to feed fish of all species and sizes. Some canyons drop 2,000 feet just a few hundred yards off shore. This makes Cabo one of the few fishing ports in the world where, at certain times of the year, anglers can begin fishing as soon as they leave the harbor. The last few days (Dec. 1-3, 1998), for instance, there has been a good bite of yellowfin tuna up to 20 pounds just 200 yards from the harbor entrance.

Billfish are still the big draw at Cabo; swordfish, blue, black, and especially striped marlin. Owners of fishing yachts from around the world schedule a block of time each year to fish the Pacific at Cabo San Lucas. The richest marlin tournaments in the world take place here, for good reason. The fishing yachts of the rich and famous are joined by a fleet of local boats captained by local residents who make their living providing guide service to fishermen. Sport fishing is big business in Cabo.