MexicoSeasons & Reports
Cabo San Lucas Fishing Report: September 2026 Update
Cabo San Lucas fishing report for September 2026. Current conditions, top species, best spots, and what's biting offshore and inshore right now.
By Charlie Gonzalez5 min read
September delivers Cabo's warmest water of the year, and the fishing is keeping pace. Offshore temperatures are holding in the mid-80s, yellowfin tuna are firing at Vinorama and the Gordo Banks, and dorado have pushed close enough to shore for an easy morning trip. Striped marlin are starting to filter back into range ahead of October's multi-species overlap, and bottom fishing around Iman and San Luis has been turning up some of the biggest snapper and grouper of the year.
Cabo San Lucas fishing chartersBook a Cabo San Lucas fishing tripOffshore & inshore charters · marlin, dorado & tuna specialistsView charters →Here's a full snapshot of current conditions and what's biting right now. For a complete month-by-month breakdown, see our Cabo San Lucas fishing calendar.
Current Conditions — September 2026
📅 Updated: September 2026 | This section is refreshed monthly.
Offshore water temperatures are running 83–85°F west of the Cape — the warmest of the year — with slightly cooler water (78–83°F) toward San José del Cabo and the East Cape. Sea conditions have been mixed: Hurricane Karina and Tropical Storm Marie pushed through earlier in the month, kicking up 2–3 meter swells along the southern Baja coastline and slowing the bite for a few days. Conditions have settled since, and bait is holding well around Vinorama, Iman Bank, and the Gordo Banks. Local crews from Picante Sportfishing and Gordo Banks Pangas are reporting one of the stronger late-summer tuna runs in recent memory.
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Offshore · Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
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What's Biting Right Now
Quick-reference guide to current species activity, best spots, and proven baits:
| Species | Activity | Best Spot | Hot Bait / Lure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellowfin Tuna | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Peak | Vinorama, Iman Bank, Gordo Banks | Live sardines, skipjack, cedar plugs |
| Striped Marlin | ⭐⭐⭐ Building | Golden Gate Bank | Ballyhoo, marlin lures |
| Dorado (Mahi-Mahi) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good, improving | Close to shore, Pacific temp breaks | Lures, live bait |
| Blue & Black Marlin | ⭐⭐⭐ Building | Deep offshore, warm water | Large lures, live bait |
| Wahoo | ⭐⭐ Early | Offshore | High-speed lures |
| Cubera & Barred Snapper | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good | Iman, San Luis | Cut bait, skipjack chunks |
| Grouper | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good | Vinorama, Inner Gordo | Live bait, cut bait |
| Sailfish | ⭐⭐⭐ Tail end | Pacific-side temp breaks | Ballyhoo, live bait |
Offshore Report
Yellowfin Tuna — The Main Event
September is peak yellowfin tuna season in Cabo, and current reports back that up. Boats working Vinorama, Iman Bank, and the Gordo Banks are into steady school-sized fish in the 20–40 lb range, with real giants mixed in — a 210 lb yellowfin came off the Gordo Banks and a 160 lb fish from Vinorama in the past few weeks.
Live sardines, skipjack, and caballito are producing consistently, with cedar plugs working well trolled between bites. If tuna is your target this month, this is about as good as it gets in Cabo.
Striped Marlin & Big Game Building
Striped marlin are starting to filter back into range as the water begins its seasonal shift, with fish in the 80–120 lb class showing at the Golden Gate Bank on ballyhoo and marlin lures. It's not peak season yet — that's still a couple months out — but the trend is moving the right direction. Blue and black marlin are also getting more active as the warm water holds; by October, Cabo often sees marlin, wahoo, tuna, and dorado all overlapping at once, so this is a good month to start watching the reports.
Dorado — Close Enough to See From the Beach
Dorado in the 15–25 lb range are showing up remarkably close to shore this month — some as near as 3–4 miles off the Pacific coast around Herradura and Los Arcos. That makes them an easy target even on a shorter trip. Lures and live bait fished along temperature breaks are producing consistently, and the bite is described as good and still improving as the month goes on.
Inshore Report
Snapper, Grouper & Bottom Species
Bottom fishing has been one of September's highlights. Cubera and barred snapper are stacked up around Iman, with grouper in the 40–70 lb range coming from Vinorama and Inner Gordo. Skipjack chunks and cut bait fished on structure are the go-to approach — it's more technical than an offshore troll, but the size of fish coming up makes it worth the extra patience.
Sailfish — Riding Out Its Best Season
September is the tail end of sailfish's best season in Cabo, which runs strongest from June through September. They're most active in the same close-to-shore water where dorado are showing right now, especially along Pacific-side temperature breaks, and they respond well to ballyhoo and live bait trolled near the surface. It's one of the most accessible billfish to target this time of year — aggressive, acrobatic, and a great introduction to billfishing for first-timers.
Cabo Fishing Report: FAQ
Do I need a fishing license in Cabo San Lucas?
Yes. All anglers fishing in Mexican waters are required to hold a valid Mexican fishing license. The good news: when you book a licensed charter, the license is typically included in your trip price. Always confirm this when booking — it should be standard practice for any reputable operator.
What's the best time of day to fish in Cabo?
Most captains recommend being on the water by 6–7 AM. Morning hours consistently produce the best marlin action, calmer sea conditions, and the most active bait school concentrations offshore. Inshore fishing for sierra mackerel is also strongest at dawn, before wind picks up along the coastline.
How do I use a fishing report to pick the right trip?
Look for three things: the species most active this week, the spots being mentioned most frequently, and what bait or technique is producing. A good captain will already have this intel — but knowing it yourself helps you ask better questions when booking. For a broader view of what to expect through the year, our Cabo San Lucas fishing calendar breaks down every month by species, water temps, and conditions.
Is September a good time to fish Cabo San Lucas with hurricane season underway?
September falls in the middle of Baja's hurricane season, which runs June through November, and 2026 has already seen Hurricane Karina and Tropical Storm Marie move through the region. Most days are still fishable — captains simply reroute around swell and storm tracks — but it's worth building a flexible day or two into your trip and checking your charter's rebooking policy before you go.
Ready to Fish Cabo?
September is delivering exactly what the calendar promises — the warmest water of the year, an excellent tuna bite, and striped marlin starting to build back toward their winter peak. Dorado are close enough to shore for an easy morning trip, and bottom fishing around Iman and San Luis has been turning up some serious grouper and snapper.
Browse our Cabo San Lucas fishing charters to find the right boat and dates for your trip. Most include gear, bait, fishing license, and a captain who knows these waters better than anyone.