Exclusive Phantom II Fishing in Cabo San Lucas

Marlin can turn a morning into a story. The Phantom II combines serious sportfishing with a short cruise past Cabo’s famous Arch, then reaches the fishing grounds in about 20 to 30 minutes. I like the private boat for up to eight people and the chance to fish with professional gear, outriggers, lifejackets, and a bilingual crew. I also like that a productive trip can include several species, not just a long wait for one prized catch.

The main drawback is the extra cost of the fishing license for one person, plus crew gratuities. You also need to reach the East Dock at the marina yourself, since hotel transportation is not clearly part of the arrangement. For an early start, plan carefully and arrive ahead of time.

The strongest reports come from the crew’s energy and results. Captain Jose, Mario, and Javier worked hard to chase marlin and keep the action moving on one outing. Still, fishing is fishing: you may have a thrilling day, but no charter can promise a full cooler or a marlin on every line.

Key points to know before booking

• The Arch is part of the morning: You pass Cabo San Lucas’s iconic rock formation at the start, adding a scenic highlight before the fishing begins.
• The boat is private for your group: The price is $1,015 for up to eight people, so the value improves when you fill the boat.
• Fishing starts quickly: The grounds are about 20 to 30 minutes from the marina, leaving most of the five-hour outing for fishing.
• Marlin and sailfish are treated differently: They are handled as catch-and-release unless you want to keep one as a trophy.
• The crew is bilingual: Captain Jose, Mario, and Javier are specifically praised for chasing marlin and helping create steady action.
• You pay for one fishing license separately: Crew tips are also not included, and there is no clear hotel pickup.

From Cabo marina to the open fishing grounds

The Phantom II leaves from the East Dock at the Cabo San Lucas marina. This matters because you are not being collected at your hotel as part of the listed service. You need to make your own way to the meeting point, and one booking involved confusion over the wording of transportation, so I would confirm the dock and arrival plan before the morning of the trip.

The listed outing lasts about five hours. That is a useful length for anyone who wants a real fishing session without committing an entire day at sea. At the same time, the marina start time is early, and one detailed report advised arriving before 6 a.m. for a 7 a.m. departure. Treat that as practical advice rather than a guaranteed departure time, and verify your exact start time when you book.

Once aboard, the crew supplies the main fishing equipment. Professional gear and outriggers are included, as are lifejackets. You do not need to arrange a basic rod setup on your own. A bilingual crew also helps if your group includes English and Spanish speakers.

The boat is reserved for your party alone, with a maximum of eight people. That setup is a major part of the value. You are not sharing the fishing space with strangers, and your group can enjoy the outing at its own pace within the captain’s plan. The tradeoff is price: $1,015 per group is a serious charge for two people, but it works out to about $127 per person when eight people share it, before the separate license and gratuity.

Passing beneath the Arch of Cabo San Lucas

The first planned stop is the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, the huge rock formation at the meeting point of the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez. You cruise past it near the beginning, before heading toward the fishing grounds.

This scenic passage gives the trip more shape than a simple run from dock to fishing spot. You get a memorable Cabo view right away, and the boat ride lets you settle in while the crew prepares for the main activity. The Arch is also useful for nonfishing companions. Someone who mainly wants coastal scenery can enjoy a genuine highlight even if the fishing is slow.

Do not mistake this for a long sightseeing cruise. The Arch is one stop within a fishing charter, not a full sightseeing itinerary. The available details do not promise a dedicated viewing time, guided geology talk, or repeated passes. If your main goal is photography around the rock, a sightseeing cruise may offer more focus. If you want both a famous Cabo view and time with a fishing line in the water, this arrangement makes better sense.

The trip to the grounds takes about 20 to 30 minutes. That is short enough that you are not spending most of your charter simply getting offshore. The return trip takes roughly the same amount of time, with coastal views along the way.

What the fishing can look like on the Phantom II

The fishing is the heart of this experience, and the catch can vary. The boat may target a range of species, while marlin and sailfish receive special treatment under a catch-and-release policy. You can request to keep one as a trophy, but you should understand that this is not the same as a promise that one will be caught.

One especially strong outing produced six bonita for eating and four marlin. Everyone in that group who wanted to catch fish got a turn, while others enjoyed the ride, the Arch, and sea life around the boat. That is an unusually productive result, but it shows what a good day can look like on these waters.

The same report described nonstop action and praised the crew for chasing the marlin rather than simply waiting in one place. Captain Jose, Mario, and Javier were named as the people working to give the group more chances. That detail matters. A fishing charter is partly about fish in the water, but it is also about how actively the crew responds when the opportunity appears.

You should still keep expectations sensible. The supplied information does not promise a particular species, number of fish, or guaranteed marlin. Conditions, location, and fish activity can change. The private format helps your group get attention, but it cannot control the ocean.

The catch-and-release approach also gives the trip a clearer conservation-minded structure. Marlin and sailfish are not automatically treated like food fish. If your group has a strong preference about keeping a fish or releasing it, discuss that with the crew before the action begins so everyone understands the plan.

The value of a private $1,015 charter

At first glance, $1,015 looks steep for five hours. The price becomes easier to assess when you look at the group size. Up to eight people can share the boat, making the base cost about $127 per person at full capacity. For a couple, the same price feels much heavier. This is best viewed as a private group outing, not an inexpensive activity for one or two people.

The package includes professional fishing gear, outriggers, lifejackets, and a bilingual crew. You are paying for the boat, crew attention, equipment, and the chance to fish without sharing the experience with an unrelated group. The quick run to the fishing grounds also gives the five-hour schedule good working value.

Two costs sit outside the headline price. A fishing license for one person is not included, and crew gratuities are separate. That is important when you compare this charter with other Cabo fishing options. Ask how the license is handled and what amount is expected before you set your final budget.

The private format suits a family group, a group of friends, or several couples who want one shared morning. It is less attractive if only two people plan to go and neither cares about having a private boat. In that case, a shared charter could make more financial sense, though the supplied information does not provide shared-tour pricing for comparison.

The experience is also a good fit for mixed-interest groups. Anglers can focus on the lines, while nonanglers can enjoy the Arch, the coast, and the ride. That flexibility may be worth paying for when not everyone in your party wants five straight hours of fishing.

The crew, gear, and pace on board

A fishing trip can feel frustrating when equipment is unclear or the crew is hard to understand. Here, the listed inclusions give you the essentials: professional gear, outriggers, lifejackets, and bilingual assistance.

Outriggers are useful for spreading fishing lines away from the boat, helping the crew cover more water. You do not need to know how to operate them yourself. Their presence signals that this is set up as a proper sportfishing outing rather than a casual boat ride with a spare rod.

The crew’s role becomes most important once fish are spotted. The report naming Captain Jose, Mario, and Javier describes them chasing marlin to create more opportunities for the group. That is the kind of hands-on effort I would want from a private charter, especially when several people hope to catch something.

The trip also appears suitable for a range of participants. The practical information says most people can take part, and lifejackets are provided. It does not give details about the boat’s exact layout, seating, shade, restroom facilities, or handling of specific mobility needs. If any of those details matter to you, ask the operator before paying.

Because the experience is offered in English and includes a bilingual crew, communication should be manageable for English-speaking groups. Still, the transportation wording caused confusion for one booking, so I would not assume every logistical detail is automatically clear. Confirm the dock, departure time, pickup arrangement, and license process.

Timing advice for a five-hour outing

Five hours sounds generous, but the day moves quickly. The boat spends about 20 to 30 minutes reaching the fishing area and a similar amount of time returning. That leaves roughly four hours for fishing, depending on the exact route and conditions.

The Arch comes early, so keep a camera ready as you leave the marina. You do not want to spend the whole opening stretch organizing gear and miss the best view. After that, the crew takes over the fishing setup and guides the group through the activity.

Arrive early. The listed start time may be 7 a.m., while practical advice from a previous outing recommended getting there before 6 a.m. for the best start. Since the exact departure routine is not fully explained, early arrival gives you room to find the East Dock and sort out any last-minute questions.

One detailed outing lasted eight hours rather than five and was described as passing quickly. That suggests longer fishing options may sometimes be available, but the standard experience described here is approximately five hours. Do not assume an eight-hour trip is included. Ask Phantom Fishing Cabo if you want more time on the water.

The charter is booked, on average, about 15 days ahead. That is not a rule, but it is a useful planning signal. If you are visiting Cabo during a busy period or need a specific morning, booking around two weeks in advance is sensible.

Who will enjoy this Cabo fishing trip most

I would recommend the Phantom II to a group that cares about the fishing itself and wants a private boat. Eight friends splitting the cost can get much better value than two people paying the full amount. The chance to pursue several species, including marlin, gives experienced anglers and enthusiastic beginners something to look forward to.

It also works for a mixed group. The Arch, coastal views, and sea life provide a few rewarding moments for someone who is not focused on catching fish. A private boat means that person is not sharing a small outing with strangers who all want the same thing.

Families may appreciate the private setting, though the available information does not specify child ages, seating arrangements, or onboard facilities. Ask those questions directly if you are bringing children. Most people can participate, but exact accessibility details are not provided.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a guaranteed catch, a low-cost activity, or a hotel pickup. The license and gratuity add to the cost, and transportation to the East Dock is your responsibility unless separately arranged. The fishing can be excellent, but the ocean makes no promises.

Cancellation is straightforward if you need flexibility. You receive a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Inside that window, cancellations and changes are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Phantom II?

Book this charter if you can fill much of the eight-person capacity, want private attention, and would be pleased with either a strong fishing session or a scenic Cabo boat ride with the chance of marlin. The named crew, active pursuit of fish, quality gear, and early Arch visit make it more than a simple trip offshore.

Think twice if your budget is tight, your group is very small, or your main goal is guaranteed sightseeing. Confirm the East Dock, start time, hotel transportation, fishing license, and gratuity before you commit. With those details settled, the Phantom II offers a focused and potentially exciting half-day on the water, with Cabo’s most famous rock formation included at the start.

FAQ

Where does the Phantom II fishing trip begin?

It begins at the East Dock in the Cabo San Lucas marina, in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Where does the experience end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at the marina.

How long does the fishing trip last?

The listed duration is approximately five hours.

How far are the fishing grounds from the marina?

The fishing grounds are reached in about 20 to 30 minutes from the marina.

Is the Arch of Cabo San Lucas included?

Yes. The boat passes the Arch of Cabo San Lucas as part of the outing.

How many people can join the private charter?

The private boat can accommodate a group of up to eight people.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Professional fishing gear, outriggers, and lifejackets are included.

Are fishing licenses and gratuities included?

No. A fishing license for one person and crew gratuities are not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.