The designation as "Marlin Capitol of the World" appears to be well deserved. There have been more Striped Marlin tagged and released in Cabo than anywhere else in the world. The Striped Marlin are here year-round and as the water warms up in the summer their relatives, Blue and Black Marlin move in. The "Bisbee Black and Blue" is held here in Cabo San Lucas for a good reason. If you were hosting a tournament offering over $2,5000,000.00 in prize money it makes sense to hold it where the fish are.

Golden Gate Banks, San Jaime Banks, Gordo Banks and the Cabrillo Seamount are often the destinations for the day charter boats out of Cabo San Lucas since they can be reached within two hours. The islands from 200 to 400 miles offshore are the destinations for the long-range boats that spend from 4 to 10 days out. With deep-water canyons just offshore, the Banks rising to within 200 feet of the surface and the currents of the Pacific meeting the currents of the Sea of Cortez, it is no wonder that Cabo San Lucas has developed the reputation as a fishing Mecca.

The month of October is a hectic one here. With tournament following tournament the marina is a constant buzz of activity. Other Billfish are available here, with Sailfish in the spring and Swordfish in the winter, plus there are Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna and Wahoo to carry you through when the Marlin bite slows down or you just get tired of battling these giant billfish.

The waters off the Cape are well know for Giant Yellowfin Tuna with fish of 200-300 pounds not uncommon and 100-200 pound fish barely bringing a raised eyebrow back at the marina. Most of the fish are smaller, but when you tie into one of the larger ones, hang on, you are in for the workout of your life! Wahoo, the speedsters of the ocean, often reaching speeds in excess of 30mph on their initial run, are found in sizes ranging from 20 pounds to over 100 pounds. And then there are the Dorado! Known as Mahi-Mahi in Hawaii and Dolphin Fish on the east coast, these fish begin to be caught on a regular basis as the water warms in the summer. With their beautiful yellows, greens and blues, these fish are as good to eat as they are fun to catch. If Marlin are a bit to large for you, the Dorado can give you the same aerial acrobatics in a much smaller, easier to handle package if they are in the 15 to 30 pound range. If you get into the larger Dorado, 50+ pounds, you might think at first you are hooked to a Marlin, these fish are fighters!

Working closer to shore the species that can be found are Sierra, well known for being the prime ingredient in the Mexican dish of Civeche; Roosterfish, Snapper, Grouper, Amberjack, jack Crevalle, Skipjack Tuna and Bonito. For those wanting a shorter fishing trip or smaller gamefish these offer excellent fishing opportunities.

Along with the development of Cab San Lucas and the world class marina has come a related expansion in the number of boats available for charter, plus an increased access for those bringing their own boats. Charter boats ranging in size from open 22 footers to ultra-deluxe yacht with their own chefs and everything in between are available, and there are multiple booking venues.

Many anglers are happy with a 5-hour trip, fishing close to shore for species such as Sierra and Roosterfish. This type of fishing is typically done from a "panga", which is an open 22-24 foot boat powered by an outboard engine. All of the "pangas" have a Bimini top for shade and on most of them the Captain is also the owner. Rates average $150 for 5 hours of fishing and normally include all gear, fuel, and the Captains services and sometimes include bottled water, sodas and ice. "Pangas" are authorized to carry up to three people, plus the Captain.

For going offshore after the big game pelagic a larger boat is often needed. While catching large Tunas and Marlin from a "panga" is done on a regular basis, often anglers need to go more than three mile offshore to find the fish. In that case, a larger boat, known as a "Cruiser" is required. These are typically 28 feet to 35 feet in length and can carry from 4 to 7 people, depending on the size of the boat. A 28' can carry 4 anglers, a 31' can carry 6 anglers and a 35' can carry up to 7 anglers. Rates run from $350 to $750 for 8 hours on the water. With all the charter boats available, you normally get what you pay for. The higher price ranges are normally for either newer, larger boats or for ones with a high demand due to the reputation or the Captain and crew. It is always a good idea to check on the condition of the equipment and if possible, to get references, this can eliminate the possibility of going for a boat ride instead of the fishing trip you are looking for.

For people interested in bringing their own boat to Cabo San Lucas, there are two ramps available for launching. The charge is currently $5 U.S. in and the same out. There are two fuel docks and for larger boats there are usually slips available for daily mooring. You must be prepared for a price shock with the slip prices; they are the most expensive in the world!

There are many methods of booking a charter in Cabo. Going through an established travel agent specializing in Cabo enables the use of a credit card for payment, usually gives you a wide selection of boats and they normally have a toll free number to use. Unfortunately they are not on location and sometimes their information concerning the fishing and the weather can be outdated. They also have high overhead and commissions are often considerable, plus there is the chance of dealing with an inexperienced agent.

Dealing with the boats directly via the Internet has become very common in the last few years, particularly for anglers who have been to Cabo before and know the boat they want. With up to the minute fishing information and booking schedules available you can be sure you are getting the straight scoop. Plus there is the fact that references are always available if you are using a boat/captain for the first time. Always ask for contacts with anglers who caught fish and who didn't catch fish! The problems with booking your charter through the internet are small when compared to the advantages offered, but can consist of having to make an occasional long distance phone call or having to make arrangements for a deposit.

What used to be one of the most common ways to book a charter in Cabo was to wait until you arrived then cruise the marina or go to one of the local booking offices. Doing this often gives you the chance to talk directly with the crew or anglers on the boat and you also get to see for yourself what the days catch consists of. If you are a repeat client or have been referred to a particular boat by a friend, you will sometimes find that the boat you wanted has already been reserved in advance. Internet booking and dealing with the owner on site both offer the advantage of personal contact and having a no-commission rate, but be careful when booking on the marina. There are many "agents", also called "coyotes". Around the marina that will be happy to rent you "their" boat, take a deposit and then disappear. Make sure you deal with a licensed charter agent who only deals in fishing trips.

However you book a charter, there are certain things to make sure of. Ask what is included in the price; do they include ice, drinks, filleting and bagging the fish? Are your fishing licenses included, taxes, or live bait or lunch? What time do you leave and where do you leave from? What is the name of your boat and the Captains name, do they speak good English (if your Spanish is not great) and what is the expected tip? Individually these are small items, but do add up, and when totaled can make your charter enjoyable or a nightmare.

Being a Captain or crew on a charter boat is a prestigious job here in Cabo San Lucas and many of the Captains working now were taught by their fathers, who might have been charter Captains or commercial fishermen themselves. These crew are well paid by Mexican standards and enjoy very good tips, plus they often take home fresh fish for family, friends and neighbors. With the amount of money involved n tournaments here and the number of experienced anglers who come here to fish, it does not take long for new ideas and techniques and new ideas to get a toehold. It was not long ago that the only thing used for Tuna was live bait, now it is common to find color sounders, GPS, downriggers, spreader bars, kites and daisy chains on the boats. These crews are very competitive and try their best to find fish for the anglers, their pride (plus tips) demand it.

Whether it is your first trip as a novice angler or you are an experienced big fish battler, there is a charter for you in Cabo San Lucas that will meet your needs. With a little research and the assistance of Lady Luck on the fishing grounds, you just might go home with the memories of a lifetime! Until we see you in Cabo, Tight Lines!

George Landrum
"Fly Hooker" Sportfishing
gmlandrum@hotmail.com

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