Sportfishing Charters in Cabo San Lucas with Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing

Cabo fishing starts before sunrise. Kellyfish Cabo takes you from the marina toward open water, with experienced captains, private boats, and fishing gear ready for beginners or serious anglers. I like the small maximum of four people, and I like that captains such as Ismael, Andy, Miguel, and Mateo work hard to keep the day active even when the fish are slow. The main catch is that your advertised price is not the final cost, and fishing success can never be promised.

The trip also gives you fine views of El Arco, Cabo’s famous stone arch, while you search for marlin, mahi mahi, tuna, wahoo, bonito, or smaller reef fish. Just keep your expectations sensible: some outings produce several fish, while others bring no bites at all. License, bait, and dock charges also need to be paid separately.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boats for up to four people: You fish with your own group rather than joining a large shared boat.
• Three boats may be used: Kellyfish operates Kellyfish, Pacific Time, and Fish Hunter Jr., so confirm your assigned boat before departure.
• The trip begins at 6:00 a.m.: Expect an early start from Kellyfish on Paseo de la Marina.
• Extra charges are part of the plan: Fishing licenses cost $22 per person, live bait costs $40 per booking in cash, and the marina dock fee is $1 per person.
• Captains receive strong praise for effort: Ismael, Andy, Miguel, Luis, and Mateo are repeatedly described as friendly, patient, and determined.
• Fishing is seasonal and unpredictable: Marlin, mahi mahi, tuna, shark, wahoo, bonito, and triggerfish have all been caught, but there is no guarantee.

A small Cabo charter with room to fish

Kellyfish Cabo is a good match if you want a private fishing trip instead of a crowded party boat. The boats take up to four people, which gives your group more control over the pace, target species, and general mood of the day.

That small capacity is also the main point to check carefully. Several people loved the boats and described the experience as comfortable, with one boat reported to have an indoor cabin and bathroom. One unhappy party felt cramped and said they spent too much time sitting on the floor. Those accounts may reflect different boats, so I would ask which vessel you are receiving and what seating and facilities it has before paying.

Kellyfish operates three boats: Kellyfish, Pacific Time, and Fish Hunter Jr. The company may use more than one vessel to handle bookings, and this has caused confusion for some customers who expected the Kellyfish boat but were assigned to Pacific Time. That does not automatically make the trip poor, but it does make a quick confirmation worthwhile.

Ask three simple questions before departure:

• Which boat is assigned to my group?
• Who is the captain and deckhand?
• Does the boat have a cabin, bathroom, and seating for four?

The charter is private, so only your group participates. That is valuable for families, couples, or friends who want help without feeling watched by a boatload of strangers. It also lets a serious angler explain a target, such as marlin, instead of simply fishing for whatever happens to be biting.

Why the 6:00 a.m. start matters

Your meeting time is 6:00 a.m. at Kellyfish, on Boulevard Paseo de la Marina in Cabo San Lucas. This is an early morning, not a casual late breakfast outing, so plan your evening accordingly.

The early start gives the crew a full morning on the water and avoids wasting the best part of the charter while getting out of the marina. The listed duration is about eight hours, although the available description also refers to full and half-day options. Confirm the exact length of your reservation before you arrive.

The marina meeting point is convenient if you are staying nearby, but the supplied details do not include hotel pickup. You are responsible for reaching the marina. Arrive early enough to handle the license and dock fee without turning the start into a scramble.

The charter ends back at the same meeting point. That makes it easier to plan lunch, a marina meal, or the rest of your Cabo day. If you bring fish back, ask the crew how filleting, storage, or packing will be handled. One customer had concerns about receiving all the fish back and about paid freezing service, so clear communication at the dock matters.

Leaving the marina for Cabo’s fishing grounds

Once aboard, the crew provides rods, reels, tackle, and basic instruction. This is important because Kellyfish welcomes first-time anglers as well as people who already know their way around a reel.

You should still tell the captain what kind of day you want. One experienced angler asked Ismael to fish strictly for marlin, and the captain honored that request even though it was not peak marlin season. If your goal is a particular species, say so early. You may catch fewer fish by holding out for one target, but at least you will fish toward the experience you actually want.

The crew’s strongest quality is effort. Ismael is repeatedly praised for staying positive during slow periods and changing lures as conditions shifted. Andy is also praised for helping beginners and keeping the mood light. Several successful trips produced fish quickly, including mahi mahi within the first half-hour, while another group had a quiet first hour before catching bonito and triggerfish.

That range is the honest picture. You might catch a marlin and mahi mahi before breakfast, or you might spend hours watching the lines. Water temperature, current, wind, and season affect what is available. The captain can search hard and adjust tackle, but cannot order the fish to bite.

El Arco gives the morning a memorable marker

The listed route includes El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, the stone arch at the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. It is one of Cabo’s signature sights, and seeing it from the water gives the fishing day a scenic payoff even if the catch is modest.

The experience is not presented as a dedicated sightseeing cruise. Your main purpose is fishing, so do not expect a long guided visit focused on the arch. You will see it as part of the water itinerary, along with Cabo’s dramatic coastal views.

I like this combination because the trip is not only about the cooler. You get a recognizable Cabo sight, open-water views, and the chance to watch the crew work. If your group includes one keen angler and one reluctant companion, El Arco and the scenery give the non-fisher a little more to enjoy.

What you might catch around Cabo

The catch described across the outings is varied. Marlin and mahi mahi receive the most attention, but tuna, wahoo, bonito, triggerfish, and shark also appear in the trip accounts.

One group caught and released a marlin and brought in two mahi mahi. Another reached the legal limit of mahi mahi and added tuna during a half-day outing. A nearly seven-foot mako shark was also hooked, giving one couple a memorable fight even though trophy fish are never assured.

Several families and beginners had success. One family with a six-year-old caught eight fish and brought three home, then had a resort restaurant prepare a four-course mahi mahi meal. That is a fine way to turn the catch into part of the vacation, although you should check current rules and restaurant arrangements yourself.

The fish count is not the only measure of a good day. One party had a marlin break the line on the way back to the harbor and still considered the outing worthwhile. That is a useful reminder that a strike, a hard fight, and a good crew response can be part of the memory even when the fish does not reach the boat.

The captains are the strongest part of the experience

The most consistent praise goes to the crew, especially Ismael and Andy. They are described as professional, patient, upbeat, and eager to help people with limited fishing experience.

Ismael receives particular praise for placing groups near fish, changing lures, and working hard when conditions were poor. He also helped create a video for one couple, which was a thoughtful extra. Andy is praised for explaining the process and helping beginners manage the gear.

Miguel, Daniel, Luis, and Mateo are also named in positive accounts. That suggests the company has more than one capable team, but the captain assignment matters. If you have a specific captain in mind, request that person and get confirmation. Availability may change.

One practical lesson comes from a beginner who wished the crew had explained how to operate the reel before a fish was on. Ask for a short demonstration before the lines go out. You will enjoy the fight more if you already know how to hold the rod, manage the reel, and respond when the line pulls hard.

The true price includes more than the charter

The separate costs are clear:

• Fishing license: $22 per person
• Live bait: $40 per booking, cash only
• Marina Cabo San Lucas dock fee: $1 per person
• Fishing gear and bottled water: included in the supplied details

One complaint refers to a $495 charter charge, but the current price should be confirmed at booking. The important point is that the charter price is not the complete out-of-pocket figure. A party of four would add $88 for licenses and $4 for the dock fee, before the $40 bait charge, making $132 in listed extras.

That is not necessarily poor value for a private boat and eight hours on the water. If your group catches fish, has a good captain, and values privacy, the cost may feel fair. But you should not treat the charter price as an all-inclusive total.

Live bait is payable in cash only. Bring enough cash for that charge and ask whether the crew expects any other dockside payment. The supplied details say bottled water is included, but one customer reported not receiving water. I would bring your own bottle anyway, especially for a long morning in the sun.

What to bring and what to confirm

The company supplies the main fishing equipment, so you do not need to pack rods or tackle. You will benefit from bringing practical personal items:

• Sun protection
• A hat that will stay on in wind
• Light clothing
• Cash for bait
• Your own extra drinking water
• Motion sickness supplies if you need them
• A phone or camera for the views and catch

Before the boat leaves, confirm the boat name, captain, trip length, fishing target, water arrangements, and how the catch will be handled. These questions are not fussy. They prevent the two biggest sources of disappointment: unclear boat assignments and surprise costs.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, but no hotel transfer is included in the supplied details. The private format is especially useful for families, couples, and small friend groups.

Who should book Kellyfish Cabo

I would recommend this charter to a small group that wants a serious fishing attempt with friendly help and a private boat. It suits beginners because the crew provides instruction, and it suits experienced anglers because you can discuss target species with the captain.

It is also a good choice for families, provided everyone is comfortable with an early start and several hours on the water. The six-year-old who joined one family had a successful outing, but the boat layout and facilities should still be confirmed for your particular vessel.

I would be more cautious if you need guaranteed fish, a large boat, or a fixed vessel assignment. Fishing can be slow, and some customers felt the boat did not match their expectations. If your group is very particular about comfort, ask detailed questions before booking rather than relying on the boat name alone.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience. Confirmation is received at booking, and the tour returns to the marina meeting point.

Should you book this Cabo fishing trip?

Book Kellyfish Cabo if you value a private outing, want access to experienced local captains, and can accept the basic truth of fishing: the crew controls the preparation, not the fish. The strongest case is the repeated praise for Ismael, Andy, and the other captains, along with successful catches of mahi mahi, marlin, tuna, wahoo, and even mako shark.

Skip it if your priority is a guaranteed trophy fish, an all-inclusive price, or a large boat with plenty of room to move. Confirm the assigned vessel, exact duration, captain, water, bait, and total cost before you go. With those details settled, Kellyfish offers a solid chance at a memorable Cabo morning, even on a day when the fish are being stubborn.

FAQ

Where does the Kellyfish Cabo fishing charter meet?

The meeting point is Kellyfish on Boulevard Paseo de la Marina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the charter start?

The listed start time is 6:00 a.m.

How long is the fishing trip?

The tour description gives an approximate duration of eight hours. Full-day and half-day charters are available, so confirm the exact length of your reservation.

How many people can join one charter?

The boats comfortably accommodate up to four people per charter.

Which boats does Kellyfish operate?

The company operates Kellyfish, Pacific Time, and Fish Hunter Jr. Confirm your assigned boat before departure.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Fishing rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Is bottled water included?

Bottled water is listed as included. Because one customer reported not receiving it, bringing extra water is a sensible precaution.

Do I need to buy a fishing license?

Yes. You purchase your own license on the dock before the charter. The listed cost is $22 per person.

Is live bait included?

No. Live bait costs $40 per booking and is payable in cash only.

Is the marina dock fee included?

No. The Marina Cabo San Lucas dock fee is $1 per person.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the charter.

Are beginners welcome?

Yes. The company welcomes first-time anglers and experienced fishermen and provides gear and instruction.

Is El Arco part of the route?

Yes. El Arco de Cabo San Lucas is listed as a stop during the outing.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience for a full refund.