Pacifictime Sports Fishing in Cabos san lucas

Big fish can make an early morning worthwhile. Pacifictime Sports Fishing gives you a private 34-foot Blackfin, a 6 a.m. departure, and a crew focused on finding marlin, tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi, roosterfish, snapper, and sailfish. I like the private boat for up to six people, which keeps the day personal, and I like the chance to bring home fish for dinner. The main caution is that the advertised price does not cover fishing licenses or live bait, and hotel pickup may cost extra.

Captain Paulo and crew members such as Eddie, Cesar, Julio, Ramon, Derek, Enrique, Eric, and Armando have earned strong praise for working hard and adjusting the plan when conditions change. I also like that you can ask for a certain target species. Still, this is a working sportfishing boat, not a polished sightseeing yacht, and some visitors found the communication sparse and the cabin untidy.

Key points before you book

• The 6 a.m. start matters: You get sunrise views and an early shot at active fish, but you must be ready well before dawn.
• The boat is private: Your group alone takes the charter, with room for up to six people on the 34-foot Blackfin.
• Captain Paulo is a frequent favorite: His crew is praised for finding fish and helping first-time anglers handle large catches.
• Expect extra cash costs: Fishing licenses and bait are not included, and prices for those items have varied by outing.
• Fishing is mainly trolling: This is not usually a casual casting trip. The boat moves while large lines trail behind it.
• Wildlife is part of the day: Whales, dolphins, sea lions, and the Cabo Arch have all been spotted during trips, though none is guaranteed.

What the $799 charter really gets you

The listed price is $799 per group, with up to six people included. For a full private boat, that can be a fair deal, especially if six family members or friends share the cost. Split six ways, the base price is about $133 per person before licenses, bait, tips, and any fish-cleaning charges.

The package includes bottled water, ice, and a cooler. That is useful on a five-hour outing, but you should not assume that snacks, beer, lunch, licenses, or bait are included. Fishing licenses are extra, often reported at about $20 per adult or 200 pesos per person. Bait has been reported at roughly $40, $45, or more, depending on the outing and amount needed.

One person reported paying $100 cash for bait, so I would ask for the current bait price before leaving your hotel. Bring more cash than you expect to use. You may also want money for tips, fish cleaning, filleting, vacuum packing, or sending fish to your hotel.

Hotel pickup deserves the same question. Several outings included pickup around 5:30 or 5:45 a.m., but one person was charged $30 for the service and felt that cost was not made clear. Confirm the pickup fee, pickup location, and return arrangements when you book.

Leaving O Dock 2 before sunrise

The official meeting point is O Dock 2 in central Cabo San Lucas, at 6 a.m. The activity ends back at the same meeting point. For many people, the easiest plan is hotel pickup, but do not treat that as automatically free.

The early start is part of the appeal. You can watch the sun come up over the water as the boat leaves the marina, and the quiet first hour feels very different from Cabo later in the day. A small convenience store near the marina has been useful for coffee, drinks, and snacks.

Allow time for licenses, bait, and boarding. One captain has handled much of this process for guests, including picking them up at the hotel and helping with the paperwork. Still, the exact routine can vary, so keep your documents and cash handy.

The marina can feel confusing, especially if you are arriving by taxi or walking from a nearby hotel. One person reported paying another worker to enter the slip area. That may not happen every time, but it is another reason to ask precisely where you should meet the crew.

The 34-foot Blackfin and life aboard

The boat is large enough for a private group of six, but it is set up for fishing first. You will see rods, tackle, bait, coolers, and working equipment rather than the tidy open space of a luxury day cruiser.

A small toilet is available onboard. Bottled water is supplied, and the cooler holds the catch and drinks. The engine is loud, so earplugs are a smart addition. One person called the engine noise the only real negative of an otherwise excellent day.

The boat is suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. It is also near public transportation. If you are prone to seasickness, prepare carefully. One group had several people become seasick, even though they still considered the trip worthwhile.

The boat may feel more comfortable with four or five people than with six, particularly if everyone hopes to fight a large fish. One person also noted that a larger boat was available for an extra charge. Ask what boat you are receiving before paying, especially if space or comfort matters to your group.

How the five-hour fishing plan works

The five-hour outing begins with the crew setting lines and moving into the fishing grounds. The normal method is trolling, meaning the boat keeps moving while baited lines trail behind it. This is a serious big-game setup, not a quiet afternoon of casting from a dock.

The captain decides where to fish based on what has been running and what the group wants to catch. Marlin, tuna, wahoo, roosterfish, snapper, sailfish, bonito, mahi-mahi, pompano, mackerel, and skipjack tuna have all appeared in the catches described.

If you want marlin, say so clearly before the lines go in. The same applies to roosterfish, wahoo, or tuna. Captain Paulo has adjusted plans when one species was slow. In one outing, the crew trolled for several hours without much action, then changed to tuna and found fish during the final hour.

That flexibility is important. Fishing is never a guaranteed show, and even an excellent captain cannot force a bite. You might have a morning with several fish on the lines at once. You might also spend long stretches watching empty lines. The best approach is to choose a crew that will make sensible changes rather than promise a certain catch.

The crew handles much of the technical work, including baiting hooks and setting the lines. You will usually take the rod when a fish hits, then follow the crew’s instructions. This makes the outing accessible to beginners, but it also means you are not independently casting and working a lure all morning.

Families should explain what their children want to do. On one trip, young anglers were able to cast jigs after asking the crew, even though the main fishing method was trolling. Teenagers and children have also helped reel in marlin and other large fish with assistance.

The fish you might actually catch

Marlin is the main prize for many people, and the crew has landed striped and blue marlin. Some outings produced two marlin, while another put three marlin or sailfish on at nearly the same time. One fish took about two hours to reel in, which gives you a good idea of the effort involved.

Mahi-mahi, also called dorado or dolphin fish, are another strong target. They are colorful, hard-fighting fish and good to eat. Wahoo are less predictable but can be enormous. One outing produced a wahoo reported at about 60 pounds, while another described a record-sized catch.

Tuna, bonito, skipjack, yellowtail snapper, pompano, mackerel, and roosterfish round out the possible catch. Some trips have been packed with action, including several fish on multiple lines at once. Other trips produced only a few bonito or no fish at all.

You should also understand the fishing rules of your own group before leaving. Some people keep one marlin and release another because the amount of meat can be more than expected. If you hope to keep fish, ask in advance how the crew handles cleaning, filleting, packing, and transport.

Wildlife and Cabo views between bites

The fishing grounds offer more than rods and reels. Whales have been seen breaching, and dolphins, sea lions, and the Cabo Arch have added memorable moments to the trip. The arch can also make a good photo stop on the way out or back.

These sightings are bonuses, not scheduled parts of the tour. You should not book this as a dedicated whale-watching cruise. Still, the chance of seeing large marine animals makes a slow fishing period more enjoyable.

The sunrise is one of the most reliable scenic rewards. You get the coastline from the water, with Cabo looking different from the usual hotel, beach, and restaurant viewpoints. Bring sun protection, a hat, and clothing that can handle spray and changing temperatures.

The crew can make or break the day

The strongest part of this charter is the crew’s fishing work. Captain Paulo is repeatedly praised for finding productive water, changing tactics, and helping people land fish they had specifically requested. His English is described as easy to understand, which helps when you are fighting a large fish and need quick instructions.

The deckhands work hard. Eddie, Cesar, Julio, Ramon, Derek, Enrique, Eric, and Armando are all named in positive accounts, with particular praise for baiting hooks, handling lines, and keeping the action moving.

The service style is not perfect for everyone. Most of the positive experiences describe a friendly crew that made families feel welcome. Two lower-rated outings describe little conversation after boarding, with guests feeling more like passengers tagging along on the crew’s workday.

That difference may come down to expectations and the crew assigned that morning. If you want stories, explanations, and constant attention, tell the captain at the start. Ask what the crew is doing, request help with casting, and say if your children need more involvement. You will get more from the day if you speak up.

Bringing the catch back to Cabo

At the end of the trip, you can keep some of your fish and arrange cleaning or filleting at the marina. Prices have included about $35 for filleting and about $50 for cleaning and bagging, but confirm the current charge.

The fish can be taken to your hotel for dinner. Some services can vacuum pack, freeze, and send the remainder to your hotel for an additional fee. One group carried home about 25 pounds of fish for a party of 20, while another family enjoyed a wahoo for dinner.

Ask for the final cost before handing over your catch. Include fish cleaning, packing, transport, and tips in your budget. You should also check your hotel’s policy before storing or preparing fish there.

Who should book this Cabo fishing trip

I would recommend Pacifictime Sports Fishing to families, couples, and groups of friends who want a real sportfishing day rather than a glossy boat ride. It is especially suitable if you have a specific target species, enjoy the challenge of landing a large fish, or want a private boat without paying for a much larger luxury charter.

It also works well for mixed-experience groups. Beginners can rely on the crew, while experienced anglers can ask for different methods or species. Children and teenagers can take part, but parents should understand that the main activity is trolling and waiting for a serious fish to hit.

I would be more cautious if you need a polished boat, quiet engines, broad seating, or constant narration. I would also think twice if the base price is already at the limit of your budget. The extra cash costs can add up quickly, especially for a group that wants more bait, fish processing, hotel pickup, and generous tips.

The charter has free cancellation up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations inside 24 hours are not refunded, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book Pacifictime Sports Fishing?

Book it if catching fish is your main goal and you are happy with a working boat, an early start, and several extra costs paid in cash. The captain and crew have a strong record of putting people on marlin, mahi-mahi, wahoo, tuna, and roosterfish, with Paulo receiving especially warm praise.

Before you commit, confirm four things: the exact boat, hotel pickup cost, current bait and license prices, and how fish cleaning is handled. If you accept those details and share the $799 cost with a full group, this can be a memorable Cabo day with real fishing, not just a ride around the bay.

FAQ

How much does the Pacifictime Sports Fishing charter cost?

The listed price is $799 per group of up to six people. Fishing licenses, live bait, and possible hotel pickup charges are not included.

How long is the fishing trip?

The listed outing lasts about five hours. The company also offers eight-hour trips.

What time does the charter begin?

The scheduled start time is 6 a.m. Hotel pickup, when arranged, may take place around 5:30 or 5:45 a.m.

Where does the trip start and finish?

The meeting point is O Dock 2, Centro, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico. The activity returns to the same meeting point.

What fish can you catch?

Possible catches include marlin, tuna, wahoo, roosterfish, yellowtail snapper, sailfish, bonito, mahi-mahi, pompano, mackerel, and skipjack tuna.

Are fishing licenses and bait included?

No. Fishing licenses and live bait are extra. Bring cash and confirm the current prices before departure.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, with up to six people on the private charter.