Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing (Our bigger boat!)

Cabo’s best fishing starts before sunrise. I like the private boat setup, which keeps the outing focused on your own group, and I like the chance to fish with working rods, tackle, and an experienced bilingual captain already supplied. You may also see whales, dolphins, and the famous Arch of Cabo San Lucas while chasing fish.

The main drawback is that fishing can be a waiting game. You could hook mahi mahi, bonito, roosterfish, marlin, or even a mako shark, but you could also spend long stretches watching the lines. You must also budget for a fishing license, live bait, food, and drinks, none of which are included.

The boat leaves at 6:00 a.m. from Cabo’s marina and returns to the same meeting point after about four hours. That early start is useful for finding active fish and makes this a possible choice for cruise passengers, but you will need to arrange your morning around the fixed departure.

Key points to know before booking

• Sunrise departure: The trip starts at 6:00 a.m., giving you cool early hours and attractive light around the coast.
• Private outing: Only your group participates, so you are not sharing the boat with unrelated passengers.
• Arch of Cabo San Lucas: The route includes this famous rock formation, one of Cabo’s most recognizable sights.
• Fishing gear supplied: Rods, reels, tackle, and an experienced bilingual captain are included.
• Extra costs matter: You pay separately for the fishing license, live bait, food, and drinks.
• Catch possibilities vary: Past trips have produced bonito, mahi mahi, roosterfish, striped marlin, and mako shark, but no fishing trip can promise a catch.

Leaving Cabo Marina at 6:00 a.m.

The meeting point is on Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 54 in Cabo San Lucas Marina. You should arrive ready to board early, since a 6:00 a.m. start leaves little room for a slow breakfast or a last-minute search for supplies.

I like this departure time for practical reasons. Morning light gives you a beautiful start, and an early run gives the crew more time to look for fish before the heat builds. It also makes sense for people staying in Cabo who want to use the rest of the day for lunch, sightseeing, or a quiet afternoon.

The tradeoff is simple: this is not a casual sleep-in excursion. You will need to prepare the night before. Pack sunscreen, water, snacks, and any motion-sickness medication you normally use. Food and drinks are not included, so do not assume you can step aboard with everything provided.

Live bait and the fishing license are also extra. One useful tip is to carry cash for those added expenses. The exact amount is not provided here, so ask for the current total before departure rather than treating the advertised trip cost as your final bill.

What a private boat changes

A private activity is a meaningful advantage for a fishing trip. You are not competing for deck space with strangers, and the captain can focus on your group’s pace, experience, and goals. That is especially useful for a family group with mixed ages or for friends who want to fish together without worrying about other passengers.

One family group included people from 17 to 75, and everyone caught a fish. That does not guarantee the same result for you, but it shows why this type of outing can work for different ages. The crew also helped take photos when several people were catching fish at once, a small service that matters when the action finally arrives.

The private format does not mean constant action. It only means the boat and crew are reserved for your group. Fish still follow their own schedule, and the ocean may offer a quiet stretch before anything happens.

That quiet time can be part of the experience, especially if you enjoy open water and coastal views. If your only goal is nonstop action, you should keep expectations in check.

Fishing with rods, reels, and a bilingual captain

Kellyfish provides rods, reels, and tackle, so you do not need to bring a full set of fishing equipment from home. The captain is experienced and bilingual, which helps if your group includes both English and Spanish speakers.

The crew’s role goes well beyond pointing the boat toward the fishing grounds. They help with the equipment, respond when a fish takes the bait, and guide you through the practical work of bringing it aboard. The experience depends heavily on that hands-on help, particularly if you do not fish often.

Past catches have included white bonito, also called albacore, mahi mahi, roosterfish, striped marlin, and a large mako shark. Those species give you a sense of the range available around Cabo, but they should not be treated as a menu of guaranteed results.

Roosterfish can be especially exciting because they put up a strong fight. One couple caught several and lost a few more, which is a good reminder that a missed fish is part of the sport, not necessarily a sign that anything went wrong.

Mahi mahi can bring bright color and solid action. Striped marlin adds a more ambitious target, while bonito may provide quicker early bites. The variety is one reason the outing appeals to both committed anglers and people who simply want the thrill of catching something substantial.

The Arch of Cabo San Lucas and the coastal run

The listed route includes the Arch of Cabo San Lucas. This giant natural rock formation marks the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, and seeing it from the water gives you a better sense of its shape than a distant view from shore.

The Arch is not presented as a long sightseeing stop. Think of it as part of the morning run and a memorable coastal landmark along the way. You may have a chance to take photographs, but the main purpose of the boat is fishing.

The surrounding coast can make the ride worthwhile even when the lines are quiet. On one outing, the group watched whales jumping and dolphins playing while moving along the shore. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but Cabo’s waters can provide more than the fishing itself.

That combination is a strong point for companions who are less interested in fishing. Someone who does not want to hold a rod every minute can still enjoy the sunrise, rock formations, marine life, and the simple pleasure of being offshore.

The waiting game between bites

A four-hour trip sounds manageable, and it is shorter than a full-day charter. Still, time on the ocean can feel long when the fish are not cooperating. One group specifically noted that several hours on the water can include slow periods, so bring sunscreen and snacks rather than relying on constant activity.

This is where your expectations matter. A successful trip may include only a few major bites, but those moments can make the waiting worthwhile. If everyone in your party needs regular entertainment, the private boat may feel more expensive than it is useful during the quiet stretches.

On the other hand, a private charter gives you space to talk, watch the water, and enjoy the scenery without a crowded deck. You can treat the trip as a fishing attempt with a coastal cruise built in, rather than as a guaranteed fish-catching machine.

The crew’s attitude also matters. Several outings were praised for friendly, helpful service and excitement when fish were landed. Captain Ismael received particular praise, and Orlando was also singled out for a morning that produced mahi mahi and a double hookup of striped marlin.

Because more than one captain may operate the boat, your exact crew could vary. The important point is that the experience depends on practical guidance, encouragement, and good handling of the equipment, not simply on the boat reaching the fishing area.

What to bring and what you pay for separately

The supplied gear keeps your packing list short, but you still need to prepare for sun, salt air, and an early start.

Bring:

• Sunscreen and a hat
• Water and snacks
• Cash for the fishing license and live bait
• Comfortable clothing suitable for time on the water
• A camera or phone for the Arch, wildlife, and your catch

Food and drinks are not included. That may seem minor, but it affects the value of the outing. A four-hour trip can pass quickly when fishing is active, yet a slow morning makes refreshments much more important.

The fishing license is another required expense to plan for. Since the supplied information does not give current prices, ask about the license and bait before boarding. That gives you a clearer idea of the total cost and avoids an awkward scramble at the marina.

Rods, reels, tackle, and the captain are included, which is useful if you are visiting Cabo without fishing equipment. You are paying for access to the boat, gear, crew, and a private outing, not just for transport to the water.

Handling your catch after the trip

A useful feature of the experience comes after the boat returns. The crew can take your catch to be filleted, and local restaurants are willing to cook it for lunch or dinner.

That turns the fishing trip into part of a larger Cabo day. You are not simply taking a photo and leaving the fish behind. If you land something suitable for the table, you can arrange to have it prepared later.

You should confirm the current details with the crew, including any filleting charge and restaurant arrangements. The available information says the fish can be filleted and cooked, but it does not name a specific restaurant or give a fixed price.

This option is particularly appealing for families and groups. The catch becomes something you can share after the boat ride, and it gives the morning a satisfying ending even after the fishing equipment is put away.

Is the four-hour length right for you?

The listed duration is about four hours. That is a reasonable middle ground for first-time anglers, families, and people fitting fishing into a broader Cabo itinerary.

A shorter trip limits the time available to search different areas, but it also reduces the risk of spending an entire day on the water if someone in your group gets tired or seasick. You get a real fishing outing without committing to a full-day charter.

The timing may also work for cruise passengers. One cruise passenger’s group returned with plenty of time before the ship’s departure. You should still verify your own ship’s all-aboard time and allow a generous buffer, since port schedules and weather can change.

This trip suits you best if you want:

• A private boat for your own group
• A chance at several Cabo fish species
• A bilingual captain and supplied fishing gear
• Coastal views and possible wildlife sightings
• A morning activity that finishes around the same marina where it began

You may want a different option if you require a guaranteed catch, dislike early mornings, or want food and drinks included. You should also think carefully about the extra license and bait costs before booking.

Weather, cancellations, and the practical risk

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is a sensible policy for an ocean activity, where safety should come before keeping the original schedule.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refundable, and the cut-off uses local Cabo time.

There has been at least one disputed account involving a weather cancellation and a refund request. The operator states that refunds are handled through the booking platform and that weather cancellations are refunded through that process. To protect yourself, keep your confirmation number, cancellation messages, and any written agreement about a new date or refund.

That advice is useful for any prepaid boat activity. Do not rely only on a phone conversation if the weather changes. Written records make the process clearer for everyone.

The final call: should you book Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing?

I would choose this outing if you want a private morning charter with real fishing potential, scenic Cabo views, and a crew that helps you handle the gear. The strongest reasons are the private format, the included rods and tackle, the early coastal scenery, and the possibility of landing fish ranging from bonito to mahi mahi or roosterfish.

I would not book it expecting a guaranteed trophy catch. Fishing is unpredictable, and quiet stretches are part of the deal. You should also add the license, live bait, food, and drinks to your budget.

For a family, a group of friends, or a cruise passenger with a carefully planned morning, this is a sensible way to experience Cabo from the water. Pack snacks, arrive early, carry cash, and judge the trip by the whole morning, not only by the number of fish in the cooler.

FAQ

Where does Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing meet?

The meeting point is Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 54, Centro, Marina, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the fishing trip start?

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

How long is the experience?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

Is the boat shared with other groups?

No. This is a private activity, so only your group participates.

What is included in the fishing trip?

Rods, reels, tackle, and an experienced bilingual captain are included.

What costs extra?

The fishing license, live bait, food, and drinks are not included. A catch can be taken for filleting after the trip, and restaurants may cook it for a later meal.