Cabo San Lucas is home to some of the worlds best fishing and people travel from all over to experience it. Beginner and pro anglers are both out on the seas catching some of the most exciting species at a rate that no other destination can rival. Visitors usually don't know the top fishing spots around Los Cabos and so we created a guide that breaks down all the hot spots the locals are keeping secret. It is organized by what side of the Baja peninsula it is on and how far away it is from the Cabo marina.

Pacific Side

San Jaime Bank: The closest bank to the deepest part of the 3,500 feet deep Tinaje Trough is the San Jaime Bank, with three seamounts rising to within 150 feet of the surface on top of a 600-foot-deep plateau. The pathway between the San Jaime and Golden Gate Banks creates an underwater current pathway. This area is great for everything from Skipjack Tuna, Bonita, Yellowfin Tuna, and Blue Marlin.

Golden Gate Bank: The Tinaje trough runs from San Jaime to the Golden Gate Bank, 15 miles to the north, and is known as the best place to fish in Cabo San Lucas. The consistently warm water brings in a lot of Dorado, Black Seabass, Skipjack, Yellowfin, Striped Marlin, and Blue Marlin. The Striped Marlin fishing is great during winter and early spring.

Finger Bank: Although it is a long haul from the Cabo San Lucas marina, about 50 miles, the Finger Bank is one of the best fishing spots on the pacific side of Baja. It is off the coast of Todos Santos and is known to be one of the best striped marlin spots when fishing is good. Experienced anglers have been known to release up to 60 billfish during one good day of fishing at Finger Bank.

Lighthouse: Cabo Falso Lighthouse is a landmark (originally thought to be the southernmost tip of Baja) that is used a point of reference for some great fishing just south of there between 2 and 15 miles out. It is easily accessible from the Cabo San Lucas marina and anglers have brought in many trophy fish and a ton of Dorado.

45 Spot: Located just two miles off of Cabo Falso Lighthouse, the 45 Spot is a rise at the end of a 600 foot deep ledge of the Cardonal Canyon. It is easy to get to at only 6 miles to the west of the famous arch and produces some great fishing. The Cardonal Canyon is short distance to the west of 45 Spot where the ocean bottom quickly drops to 3,000 feet depth.

95 Spot: The unique 95 Spot got its name because the bottom comes to within 95 fathoms of the surface off of a 1,200-foot-deep plateau. It is only nine miles to the east of Cabo San Lucas where anglers bring in a lot of Yellowtail and reef fish like Roosterfish, Cabrilla, Pargo, and Dog Snapper.

Cabrillo Seamount: 45 miles east from the 95 Spot is the Cabrillo Seamount that has a peak of 3,000 feet depth surrounded by 6,000 feet deep water. It is a long ways out, but the location is great for marlin and tuna fishing year around. Although this spot is east of the Baja Peninsula, it is still like fishing in the Pacific Ocean because of the currents, tides, and waves.

Sea of Cortez Side

Gordo Banks: One of the best fishing locations in all of Baja California Sur is the Gordo Banks. The hot fishing spot for anglers is located just off the coast of San Jose Del Cabo, 22 miles northeast of the Cabo San Lucas marina. This reliable offshore fishing hole is separated by the Inner Gordo Bank and Outer Gordo Bank. The Inner Gordo Bank is within easy distance of super Pangas and has a few shallow areas within scuba diving distance. The Outer Gordo Bank is 220 feet deep at its shallowest point and is only 10 miles off the coast. The area is home to some of the productive fishing in Los Cabos. The Gordo Banks are great for fishing during the months of April-November but are also great through winter because the banks are protected from the winter winds by the sierra madre mountains.

Vinorama Canyon: This is another great all around fishing spot located farther northeast up the Sea of Cortez than the Gordo Banks. The Vinorama Canyon is a long boat ride from the Cabo San Lucas Marina, but if you are docking at San Jose then you can get to it relatively quickly. Look for good Yellowtail fishing in the beginning of the year, Dorado in the second half, and Tuna and Reef fishing year around.

1150 Bank: Farther off the coast and almost in between the San Lucas and San Jose marinas is the 1150 bank, about 20-25 miles out. This is a great spot for marlin and tuna fishing with some characteristics of the Sea of Cortez and Pacific Ocean mixed.

Santa Maria Canyon: Off the coast of Santa Maria Beach is the Santa Maria Canyon where Dorado, billfish, and Tuna love to hang out. The canyon is off the coast about 9 miles and in between the 1150 Bank and Gordo Banks, easily accessible from Cabo San Lucas or San Jose Del Cabo. This entire area is a favorite amongst local anglers.

San Jose Canyon: Further north of Santa Maria is the San Jose Canyon, located just in front of San Jose Del Cabo. The canyon starts at just a mile outside of the local marina and is easily accessible for pangas. This is yet another fun tuna and marlin fishing spot during tournaments and year around.

La Fortuna Bank/Destiladera Bank/San Luis Bank/Iman Bank: Three popular fishing banks north east of the Gordo Banks. You will catch plenty of Roosterfish, Pargo, Snapper, Wahoo, Marlin, and Tuna at these spots but they are a bit far from the Cabo San Lucas marina. Iman Bank is the furthest north about but is a very consistent fishing hole for Tuna, Amberjack, Wahoo, Dorado, and Bonito.

For more information, read our complete Cabo San Lucas fishing guide.