Tres Marlins
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur (MX)
Anglers from around the world dream of fishing in Mexico. Flanked by the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and blessed with 6,000 miles of coastline, Mexico is hom...
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Anglers from around the world dream of fishing in Mexico. Flanked by the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and blessed with 6,000 miles of coastline, Mexico is home to over 500 different species of fish, from bass and red snapper to big game fish like Swordfish and Striped Marlin.
It’s the unique proximity to two very different bodies of water that makes Mexico a sport fishing mecca. On the Pacific side, big, beautiful game fish like Pacific Sailfish, Swordfish, Dorado (Mahi Mahi), Tuna, Wahoo, and a variety of Marlin are available year-round. On the Gulf of Mexico the Yucatán peninsula provides spectacular access to Atlantic varieties of Sailfish, Swordfish and Marlin, and many protected bays for inshore fly fishing that draw world-class fishing enthusiasts and novices alike.
The Pacific Coast of Mexico is home to world-famous fishing destinations such as Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, and Puerto Vallarta. The Baja California peninsula alone offers a tremendous variety of fishing opportunities— the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) is a breeding and spawning ground for Mahi Mahi (Dorado) and other pelagic fish species. The areas along the inner shoreline offer rock-oriented fishing - targeting amberjack or yellowtail and roosterfish etc - , whereas the tip of the peninsula at Cabo San Lucas is a jumping off point for deep sea fishing.
Baja California Sur has such a variety of fishing opportunities that you can spend an entire lifetime just getting to know all the bays, lagoons, and islands on both coasts of this long, narrow peninsula.
Along the east coast of Mexico there is no shortage of fishing on the Yucatán Peninsula either. No matter where you visit on the Riviera Maya— Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Cancun, and Cozumel – the catch is always good. Anywhere along the east coast the fish are certain to be biting, unless cold thermal currents have driven them south to warmer water.
Mexico is a huge country and also has hundreds of lagoons and bays for the inshore fisherman. Fly fishing is very popular, and experienced guides can help you catch the trophy fish of your dreams, and there is an abundance of luxury fishing lodges on every coast. If you plan on fishing on your own with a hired guide, then we recommend bringing your own fly fishing gear, as it may be difficult to find what you need or are accustomed to using. However, if you are planning on staying at a fishing resort, then chances are you won’t need to bring much gear, but definitely check with the resort before boarding your flight!
Yellowfin tuna grow fast, up to 400 pounds (180kg) in about a 7-year lifespan, and they range in length from 59 inches to 88 inches long. They’re known for their torpedo shape, with a pointed nose and a sickle-shaped tail, and have dark blue backs with yellow sides (thus their name) with a silver underside.
The Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans) is probably the most wanted fish in the sport fishing world. The magnificent fighter usually feeds during day time on fish, octopuses and squids. Blue Marlin is mainly caught trolling with artificial lures or with dead bait (bonito, mackerel...).
The skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) have a strong body with black stripes on the side. The largest skipjack tuna can reach up to 100 cm (40 inch) and weigh up to 10 kg (22 lb). Skipjack are mainly caught trolling lures.
Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) are also commonly referred to as dorado, dolphin or dolphinfish. They are recognizable by their bluntly shaped heads, long dorsal fin and their bright colouring, dark blue and green on their dorsal side and yellow on their sides and underside.
Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), also known as Ono (meaning “delicious” in Hawaiian), are found in many subtropical and tropical waters. They’re identifiable by their blue-green upper body which shifts into silver towards their belly. They also have blue vertical striping along their sides. These predators are torpedo-shaped and have long and largemouths with teeth.
Striped marlin (Kajikia audax) can be told apart from blue marlin due to their “stripes” of blue that run vertically down their bodies. Striped marlin is lighter than blue marlin, but their body shape and even colouring remains the same aside from the stripes. These marlin can weigh up to 180kg (400lb) and have a maximum length of 4 m (12 ft).
Black marlin (Istiompax indica) grows to be as big or bigger than blue marlin, with males reaching lengths of 4.65 meters and weighing up to 750 kilograms (1500lb), females larger. They are part of a group of fish called billfish, which includes varieties of marlin, swordfish, and spearfish.
Sailfish (Istiophorus) are one the most wanted fish in the sport fishing world. Often described as the fastest fish in the sea, sailfish can weigh up to 90 kg (200 pounds) and grow up to 3 m (9.7 ft) in length.
Famous for its runs, - which is why they're also called the torpedo of the flats - bonefish (Albula vulpes) are the fly fishing favorite. They inhabit inshore tropical waters in Florida, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Riviera Maya in Mexico, Belize, Venezuela and the Seychelles, for example. Bonefish can weigh up to 19 lb (8.6 kg) and measure up to 105 cm (41 in) long.
The permit (Trachinotus falcatus) is a sought after fly fishing game fish. They are usually found in shallow tropical waters such as flats and channels of the Atlantic Ocean. Permit also frequent offshore wrecks. This species is distributed from Florida, Riviera Maya in Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua all the way down to the Carribean Islands and Brazil. Permit can grow to about 4ft (1,2m) in length and weigh up to 27kg (60lbs).
The snook (Centropomus undecimalis) is a great sportfish widespread throughout in western atlantic coastal waters. They are found in creeks, mangroves and shallow waters from North Carolina to Brazil. Snook can grow over 50 inch (1,4m) and weigh over 20kg (50lb)!
The great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), often referred to as barracuda, is a long predator that can be found in tropical and subtropical waters where they like to patroll mangroves, reefs and drop-offs. Record barracuda can grow to 1,5m and weigh over 45kg (100lb+).
The Crevalle Jack or Jack Crevalle (Caranx hippos) is a very popular sport fish that belongs to the Carangidae fish species. Horse mackerel, amberjack and giant trevally also belong to this family. Jack Crevalle can grow to a length of 120 cm and a weight of 30 kg.
The northern red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) is a popular fish often caught reef fishing in the Atlantic waters of Florida, Gulf of Mexico and also the Caribbean. This sought-after game fish can reach 1 m and weight up to 50lb.
The king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) or kingfish is a common fish species of the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. King Mackerel can grow to up to 40kg (90lb) and have razor sharp teeth.
The Amberjack species are a game fish that are found both in the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Jigging and live bait fishing are the best techniques to target these magnificent fighters. Greater Amberjack can weigh up to 170 lb (80 kg).
Just by looking at a roosterfish (Nematistius pectoralis), you can immediately tell how they got their name. Their trademark dorsal fin resembles a giant mohawk or the comb of a rooster. Beyond the dorsal fins, the rest of the roosterfish body is unique as well. The biggest roosters weigh more than 60lb.
Spearfish (Tetrapturus) are a generic name for several species such as the shortbill spearfish and longbill spearfish. These billfish are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world: Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean.
The White Marlin (Kajikia albida) is a very nice predator which can be caught off shore in warmer waters. This powerful fighter usually feeds during day time on fish, octopuses and squids. They can be caught trolling with artificial lures or with dead bait (bonito, mackerel...).
Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus obesus) belong to the tuna family just like Bluefin Tuna, Albacore or Yellowfin Tuna. They can grow up to 200kg (450lb) and over 2 meters long. These pelagic fish are found in temperate and tropical waters (off shore) and are targetted mainly trolling.
The cubera snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus) is a sought-after gamefish that inhabits the Atlantic coastal waters from Florida, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. This species can reach a length of 160 cm and weigh up to 50kg. Not to be confused with the Pacific Cubera Snapper.
Atlantic Bonito (Sarda sarda) is a rapid fish species known for being great hunters. They have striping on their backs with silver-coloured undersides and they grow up to 30 inches long. They have a hydrodynamic body shape, even more so than larger tuna.
The sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is for many sport fishermen a trophy fish because of the nice fight they offer but also because they're an excellent eating fish. Sea bass, also known as European bass, are found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from northern Norway to Senegal, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. They can grow up to 1 metre and weigh up to 12kg.
The Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) has large eyes and long pectoral fins. This is why this species is also known as longfin tuna. The largest Albacore can reach up to 140 cm (4.6ft) and weigh up to 40 kg (90lb).
The horse mackerle (Trachurus trachurus) is a common species found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean off Europe from Norway to South Africa and into the south-eastern Indian Ocean to Mozambique. They are normally between 20 and 30 cm, although the larger fish can grow up to 70 cm and weigh around 2-3kg.
Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a salmonid fish. River adult rainbow trout can weigh up to 2,5kg (5lb), whereas stealhead and lake rainbow trout can weith up to 9kg (20lb).
The redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus), also known as red drum is one of the most sought after light tackle game fish. The fish is found in the western Atlantic Ocean from northern Mexico to the Southeast of the US. Red drum are a dark red color on the back and have a characteristic black eyespot near the tail. They feed on crabs, shrimp and mullet.
Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) are probably the most sought after sport fish in the world. They live in the sub-tropical and tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean. Swordfish can grow over 3 meters in length and weigh more than 600 kg (1350lb).
This fish is of the Balistidae family. There are about 40 species of triggerfish. The largest trigger triggerfish can grow up to 75 cm (30 inch).
The yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) is a type of amberjack found in the Southern Hemisphere. They can grow up to 180 cm (70 in). Yellowtail kingfish can be caught from New Zeeland, Australia to Chile.
The Atlantic Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) is a species of mackerels that can be found in the western Atlantic Ocean in the waters of Mexico, Gulf of Mexico to Florida. Atlantic Spanish mackerel have very sharp teeth and can grow up to 13 pounds (6kg) and live up to 12 years old. Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel live in tropical and sub-tropical waters of in Southeast Asia and can grow up to about 2.4 m and more than 40 kg.
The tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) is a silver coloured predator who loves hunting for fish and crustaceans in lagoons, rivers, ports, estuaries and other shallow waters. They inhabit the coastal waters in the Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Argentina. Tarpon can grow up to 2,5m and weigh over 150 kg (350 lb).
Grouper is common name for all the bass-looking-fish from the Epinephelinae Family. This family also includes sea bass by the way. Grouper are colorful predators who like to live in rocky areas, reefs, wrecks where they can hide.
The common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus) is a type of snapper, common in the Meditarranea Sea, but is also present in the eastern Atlantic coastal areas from Cape Verde to Scandinavia. The biggest pandora can grow up to 50cm (20 inch).
Each coast has a different variety of fish and different fishing seasons, which means that the fishing is always hot in Mexico!
January: Sierra, Yellowtail (Amberjack), Dorado (Mahi Mahi), Pargo
February: Striped Marlin, Dorado, Sierra, Pargo, Yellowtail
March: Striped Marlin, Dorado, Roosterfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Sierra, Pargo, Yellowtail
April: Striped Marlin, Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Roosterfish, Sierra, Pargo, Yellowtail
May: Striped Marlin, Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Roosterfish, Pargo, Yellowtail
June: Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Roosterfish, Yellowtail
July: Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Roosterfish, Sailfish
August: Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Roosterfish
September: Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Roosterfish
October: Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Roosterfish, Sierra
November: Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Sierra
December: Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Sierra, Yellowtail
January: Yellowtail (Amberjack), Grouper, King Mackerel, Snook, Tarpon, Tuna, Wahoo, Snapper
February: Tuna, King Mackerel, Wahoo, Yellowtail, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Snook, Jack Crevalle
March: Tuna, King Mackerel, Wahoo, Yellowtail, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Snook, Jack Crevalle
April: Marlin, Permit, Snook, Tarpon, Wahoo, Dorado (Mahi Mahi), Great Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Jack Crevalle
May: Blue & White Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo, Dorado, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Snook, Jack Crevalle
June: Marlin, Sailfish, Permit, Snook, Tarpon, Trout, Wahoo, Dorado, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Snook, Jack Crevalle.
July: White & Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, Wahoo, Dorado, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Snook, Jack Crevalle.
August: Sailfish, Tuna, Mackerel, Wahoo, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Snook, Jack Crevalle.
September: Sailfish, Tuna, Yellowtail, Wahoo, Barracuda, King Mackerel, Grouper, Permit, Tarpon, Snook, Jack Crevalle.
October: Tuna, King Mackerel, Wahoo, Yellowtail, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Tarpon, Jack Crevalle
November: Snook, Grouper, Snapper, Barracuda, Yellowtail, Wahoo, King Mackerel, Tuna
December: Snook, Grouper, Snapper, Barracuda, Yellowtail, Wahoo, King Mackerel, Tuna, Jack Crevalle
Discover Mexico's jungles, oceans, deserts, mangroves and forests. The diversity of climates, ecosystems, animal and plant life of this country is enormous!
Mexico preserves the architecture and the old testimony of great cultures. Travel back in time and explore the magic of the impressive pyramids and temples of the archaeological zones throughout the country.
If you don't like the beaches - besides fishing - you can go climbing, diving, surfing, rafting, whale watching ...
Enjoy the gastronomic delights of Mexico, enjoy the flavors and aromas characteristic of each region.
If you are fishing from the shore, you will not need a fishing license. However, Mexico has strict fishing regulations for fishing from boats. Essentially, every person aboard a boat that has fishing equipment on board is required to have a license.
According to CONAPESCA, Mexico’s National Aquaculture and Fishing Commission, “Sport fishermen in marine waters will be able to use as many rods and reels as they wish. In inland waters only one rod can be used by fishermen at a time. In both cases, established bag limits should be strictly observed.
A fishing license allows anglers to capture fin fish only. It does not allow the capture of any crustaceans or mollusks, with the exception of squid, and their capture by anyone is strictly prohibited.
To capture bottom fish, up to four hooks on a vertical line may be used.
The use of electric reels is restricted to disabled fishermen only, after written authorization for the Ministry before use.”
You can purchase a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly fishing license. Fishing licenses are available for purchase via Conapesca.
If you plan on using a fishing charter, most charter boats include fishing licenses in the cost of the charter, but to be sure it is best to ask when booking your trip.