Keith Lusher 08.20.25
For over a 12 months, I’ve been writing vacation spot fishing articles based mostly on seasonal updates from my buddy Arturo Chacon at Tag Cabo Sportfishing. However this time was totally different. After I got here to Cabo for my daughter’s marriage ceremony, Arturo invited me to expertise the fishing firsthand moderately than simply write about it. What adopted was an unforgettable day on the water fishing the “Marlin Capitol of the World.”
My day started at 5 a.m. I left our Sandos Finesterra Resort, and after a fast 10-minute stroll to the harbor I used to be at Dock E, the place I met the crew, Andres and Roberto. As at all times after I’m working, my digital camera was prepared. As an out of doors author, I’ve realized to seize each second since you by no means know when these photographs will inform the proper story.
After idling out of the harbor, a small boat pulled alongside us, and Roberto fastidiously chosen our bait for the day: recent ballyhoo and threadfin herring. Arturo defined his choice for dragging no less than one line with useless bait, a confirmed method that may quickly pay dividends.
The Setup
Getting into the Sea of Cortez, the group started their methodical line setup. Two rods carried daisy chain teasers, which Roberto defined create visible and auditory disturbances within the water, mimicking fleeing baitfish faculties to excite gamefish. One other rod featured a straight missile bait with out a blade, its erratic motion taking pictures left and proper, diving and surfacing like a panicked baitfish. Typically it even jumped away from the water.
The fourth rod carried a standard onerous crankbait, whereas the fifth held a fastidiously rigged ballyhoo. Andres wrapped the baitfish’s face with skinny wax line, reinforcing it so the hook wouldn’t tear by through the high-speed trolling motion.
The Motion Begins
Ten minutes after setting strains, the primary rod started dancing. I jumped into the combating chair and landed an ideal 30-inch yellowfin tuna, not large however excellent consuming measurement. As we headed towards what Roberto calls “the 45,” we caught 4 extra yellowfins earlier than Andres switched to marlin baits.
Then it occurred. Whereas watching the rods, I seemed again to see a marlin exploding from the water behind our farthest lure. The fish was leaping nonstop, typically showing to tailwalk throughout the floor. Again within the combating chair, I realized the onerous means to not let the reel do all of the work. “Horse the fish with the rod, then reel because the tip comes down,” got here the fixed reminder.
Because the fish neared the boat, I stepped apart to seize unbelievable footage earlier than we introduced it alongside. The striped marlin was a magnificence, and after a fast picture session, we launched it to struggle one other day.
On our return journey, one other marlin hit, however this one behaved fully in a different way. “Typically they try this,” Roberto defined. “They’ll hit the lure and head straight down.” This fish by no means jumped, staying deep all through the whole struggle. Andres skillfully labored it shut sufficient to take away the hook earlier than launch.
What to Count on in August
Throughout our day on the water, I used to be capable of ask loads of questions on what makes August so particular in Cabo. The group advised me this represents peak season, the place Pacific Ocean waters meet the Sea of Cortez at excellent temperatures of 75-82°F. Arturo defined that this month affords among the 12 months’s greatest alternatives for large recreation fishing.
Billfish
After I requested about billfish, Roberto acquired excited. He advised me blue and black marlin are at their most lively proper now, with blues averaging 250-350 kilos and blacks doubtlessly exceeding 1,000 kilos. The striped marlin we caught are year-round residents that stay constantly lively at 100-300 kilos. Andres talked about that sailfish numbers improve by August, peaking in September.
Tuna
The yellowfin tuna motion we skilled was typical for August, in accordance with the crew. They defined these fish vary from 20-100 kilos with occasional giants over 200 kilos. “At all times search for diving birds,” Roberto suggested, “they present you the place the feeding faculties are.” Arturo recommends focusing on dorado this month too, as they’re plentiful at 10-30 kilos, whereas speedy wahoo patrol each offshore and inshore waters.
Inshore Choices
I used to be inquisitive about inshore choices, and the group advised me roosterfish are hitting 40-50 kilos proper now, plus crimson snapper and grouper supply thrilling motion nearer to shore for these wanting selection.
Preventing two massive striped marlin created reminiscences I’ll always remember. The mixture of Cabo’s world-class fishing, Tag Cabo Sportfishing’s experience, and the area’s gorgeous magnificence makes this vacation spot unbeatable. Whether or not you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort with household or planning a devoted fishing journey, I extremely advocate reserving with Tag Cabo Sportfishing for an genuine Cabo expertise.
After a 12 months of writing about this fishery, experiencing it firsthand proved that typically the truth exceeds even one of the best tales.
