Best Seasons & Times to Fish Baja (Mexico Fishing)

Baja California and the surrounding coastal waters offer some of the best fishing in North America. Knowing the best and worst times to come fish Baja will make a huge difference in your success and experience.

The best time to fish Baja California peninsula is winter as bigger gamefish push south from Californian waters into Mexican waters. This season delivers the best combination of fish abundance and aggressive feeding activity.

Region of Baja Peninsula	Best Seasons to Catch Fish
Rosarito & Tijuana	January through May; off-season is July through September
Cabo San Lucas	Best season is fall and winter
Central Coast	December through March; April & May can be great too
Southern Gulf	November through March; Summer is the slow season for fishing

In this area, there are Mexican waters that you can fish as well with the right permit. Most outfitters and charters will handle this process for you.

Most American charters will be found in San Diego, being the closest port to Baja. Fishing in the southern Californian coast is phenomenal as well for those who do not wish to fish internationally.

There are many fish species available in the area for any angler. Some of them are very popular and some are a bit overlooked. A few of the fish species include yellowtail, cubera snapper, California halibut, Baja California killifish, and the Mexican barred snapper.

Best Times to Fish Baja

While fishing is a popular destination all along the California coast, the Baja Peninsula offers a different climate and environment for fish.

Northern California can be quite cold during the winter months and offers a different environment for fish. Winter months in and around the Baja Peninsula are much warmer and this makes it a perfect environment for longer seasons for fishing.

Looking at the gulf of the peninsula rather than the oceanic coast, there are ample fishing opportunities as the waters here are warmer yet with abundant rivers and inlets for special fishing experiences.

There are several areas that make this place a wonderful place to fish, from the northern coast, south to the Mexican border, and the gulf itself. These areas are very popular among anglers and are flocked annually from all over the world.

Rosarito & Tijuana

The best time for fishing the majority of species in Tijuana/Rosarito is early morning to afternoon. Go out early and fish then return for a bite then head out again is a very popular way to fish.

Being in closer proximity to the equator than most places, the seasons tend to stay stable and fish are abundant year-round with the exception of a few migratory species.

For those looking to enjoy a trip that is very close to the border look no further than Tijuana. Tijuana may be the most popular tourism destination in Mexico because of its close proximity to the United States and it offers some of the best fishing in the world.

The coastal waters of the pacific in Rosarito offer a great fishing experience for every angler. It is popular to troll the very long stretch of sandy coast and with over 20 miles of beaches, surf fishing here is phenomenal. Again, shore fishing of all kinds requires no permit so this is a great place to fish on a cheaper budget.

A few popular spots to fish around the area are as follows.

• Playa Los Buenos
• Playa de Tijuana
• Entre Corazon Park

While this area has a sprawling beach for angling there are also very busy ports that can be a great place to centralize your visit as there are ample places to stay and eat as well as ports and bays to launch a boat trip.

For a complete breakdown of the best times & seasons for San Diego fishing, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish the Sea of Cortez, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish La Paz, please read this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Mazatlan, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Cabo

The best time to fish Cabo San Lucas is fall and winter. Cabo is a very popular tourist destination for many people throughout the year but it does have its better seasons.

The beaches here are a little smaller than other places so maybe consider when tourists will be visiting the most and choose a different date.

Cabo sits at the very southern tip of the baja peninsula and offers great fishing both ashore and at sea. One thing that makes this area different from other places is its very dramatic shoreline east of the city.

Cabo itself offers a very popular beach that is great for surf fishing called Playa El Faro tha is directly south of town. This beach is a smaller beach and can fill up rather quickly however but there are other options further outside of town.

A few popular areas that are not so busy are as follows.

• Playa el Chinero
• Hacienda Del Mar Los Cabos Resort Villa (offshore trolling)
• Playa Palmilla

There is always an abundant population of fish in the area and fishing at a different time of year will not limit the fun you can have. If you are going to come fish during peak tourist season, consider staying out of the city in a more remote area.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Cancun, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish Huatulco, please check out this helpful article.

Central Coast

The central coast of the Baja Peninsula offers abundant fishing in a different way. Being attached to California on the west coast of the peninsula, the west side of Baja is always very busy year-round whereas the east side is not as populated or traveled.

The areas that you will find off of the east coast will be different and offer different species as well as fish behaviors. The other geological features that are offered on the east side are large bays and islands.

There are many areas to look at so here’s a  list of some very popular areas that are frequented by anglers.

• La Paz
• Rancho Nuevo Mazatlan
• Puertecitos
• Volcan Prieto
• Campo La Poma
• El Sacrificio San Luis Gonzag (Sand bars north of this area)

These areas dot the eastern coast and offer great fishing opportunities without the big city experience. Trolling is very popular around this area in and out of the islands that dot the coast. Your outfitters and guides can be found throughout the area but mostly in the city of La Paz.

Southern Gulf

The best season to fish the southern Gulf of California is winter from December through March as most bigger gamefish are in-season and cooler waters further north push fish southward.

The southern Gulf of California offers great fishing and we have already discussed the eastern Baja areas but there are great areas attached to Mexico on the east side of the gulf as well.

Fishing in the southern gulf offers warmer waters but not by much, making a marginal difference to most fish.

The area offers a great place to troll and offers some great shore fishing because the coastal terrain of the southern gulf is more dramatic than the flat sandy beaches of Baja.

A few areas that are popular in and around the southern gulf are as follows.

Eastern Southern Gulf

• Eldorado Bay, Lagoons, and Jetties
• Bahia De Chuira Inlets and Islands
• Mazatlan Waters

Western Southern Gulf

• Los Tesos Shore
• Baha De Los Sueños
• Bahia De La Ventana

Islands Worth Mentioning

There are many islands in the Gulf of California worth mentioning and many of them offer excellent shore fishing. The most popular way to fish these islands is to troll in their vicinity.

Fish naturally look to islands as not only cover but a unique underwater environment that has a stronger food supply.

If island fishing is an interest to you on your trip, consider looking for ferries and charters that can get you to the island if you plan to not take your own watercraft. Here is a compiled list of islands that are popular to fish both from and around.

• Islan Tiburon
• Isla San Lorenzo
• Isla Danzante
• Isla Santa Catalina
• Isla Espirito Santo
• Isla Cerralvo

For those who will need to take a ferry or a charter to get to an island for the day you are in luck. The geography of the Gulf of California brings its islands close to land making it easier and cheaper to get access to them.

Recommended Fishing Charters in Baja

These Baja-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Types of Fishing Offered
BlueSea Sportfishing (Cabo San Lucas)	Inshore, Offshore, Big Game
Black Marlin Sportfishing (Cabo San Lucas)	Inshore, Offshore, Big Game
Picudo Sportfishing (Cabo San Lucas)	Inshore, Offshore, Big Game
Lucky Sportfishing Baja (Ensenada)	Inshore, Offshore, Big Game
Exotic Fish Cabo (San Joe Del Cabo)	Inshore, Offshore, Big Game
Baja Paceños Tours (La Paz)	Offshore & Big Game

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish near Puerto Vallarta, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Rosarito, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish Cabo San Lucas, please read this helpful article I wrote.

Baja Species: Best Times to Fish

While most species are present for large amounts of the year, there are fluctuations in their presence throughout the year. Generally, most species have a presence on Baja waters from spring to summer but a few have a strong winter presence taking advantage of cooler waters.

If you plan to visit Baja and fish, you must understand the species you pursue and maybe understand a few extra species as well. It is common to catch quite a few species that you’re not pursuing. Here is a list for you to better understand the species of Baja waters.

I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic to create your combo.

Amberjack

The amberjack is one of the few sought-after game fish that stick around for the winter in Baja. For those seeking to visit during the fishing offseason, this may be good fish to pursue.

Shore fishing for amberjack is good if you can get into some kind of underwater structure such as a reef or something submerged. For those without a boat I would attempt to learn what’s under the water where you fish.

Generally, the Amberjack will be best fished by trolling or drifting and they will fight very hard. They are renowned for their ability to wear your arms out and never quit. Many anglers love fishing these fish for this reason. 

Sea Bass

The sea bass is another species that makes its home during colder months and in deeper waters. To fish for the variety of subspecies of sea bass, you will need to be prepared to let a little line out.

Seeking deep cover for sea bass is a safe bet, even from shore. Look for bays that offer some sort of point or shoreline that get you close to the center of the bay. The city of La Paz is a great place for this.

Sea Bass love artificial lures and baits but also use some live bait. A live mackerel is popular for sea bass if the setup you use is not too heavy. While sea bass may not fight as strong as amberjack, they are still a joy to catch and an even bigger joy to eat.

Snapper

Snappers can be caught year-round but spring is the best season in Baja. In and out of island waters is a  great place to catch snappers and with the islands dotting the Gulf of California, Baja is a great place to fish.

When a snapper is hooked they will dive and seek shelter so be sure to have the appropriate line for the trip. Generally, your charter will know all of this if you are being guided. Communication with your charter is very important as they are the local experts.

While opportunistic, they can be picky at times so if live bait is your game, bring a variety.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish near Ensenada, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Wahoo

In Baja waters, wahoo are generally active in the spring before heading to cooler waters in the late summer. Fishing for wahoo is a bit different than the previously discussed fish in terms of how to troll.

Wahoo are probably not a good candidate for shore and surf fishing due to the way they hunt and the deeper water they are found in. Wahoo are fast, extremely fast and they enjoy chasing prey that can match them.

Trolling for these guys is very fast and in long runs through hot areas for them. Artificials are the general use for Wahoo and a wire lead is absolutely necessary to catch them due to their very large and aggressive teeth.

Yellowtail

Yellowtail are another spring fish that can be easily caught with simple means. These guys are large, growing to nearly 100 pounds so have the gear to handle that. Yellowtail are very popular among anglers for their availability in shallow waters.

Yellowtail fish are easy to catch with live bait such as sardines and smaller mackerel. Another means that works well for a yellowtail, despite their more shallow environment is a jig of various patterns.

Yellowtail makes for a good meal for many because of their size and grill very easily provided the grill is big enough. Consider taking some home by freezing it for the trip, your guide can help you get connected with the folks who can help with this.

Skipjack

Skipjack are available year-round in Baja waters and generally, the fishing does not slow with the exception of late winter in December and January.

This availability makes them popular among locals for commercial fishing as well. You will likely see this fish available in markets in the area.

Skipjack is a whole lot of fight in a little package and you will enjoy every second of catching them. Closely related to tuna but a fraction of their size they can be tricky to find but are strong and aggressive fighters that keep anglers coming back.

Generally, skipjack can be fished at any depth but many argue that deep is the best way to go. Try artificials but also give bait a try. Jigs can work very well for deeper waters if simply reeled upwards.

Sailfish

Maybe the most popular sportfish in the Baja peninsula, the sailfish is available starting in the spring and can be fished well for a few months before moving on. Sailfishing is another fast-paced trolling experience as the sailfish can get up to some pretty impressive speeds.

Charter fishing for these guys is extremely popular and getting started early is a good idea. At times, in certain areas, charters will be booked and you will have missed out so be sure to know your seasons and get yourself booked early.

Sailfishing is usually done with flys at a high speed in areas where they have been sighted. Live baits can be used but either at a standstill or slower speeds. Sailfish are also very acrobatic and you will see them in the air quite a bit, enhancing the experience.

Yellowfin Tuna

The yellowtail tuna is a late arrival to the area being best fished in Baja in October and November. They school up and seem to move. They are generally small but the lucky angler can land one up to 200 pounds.

Yellowtail schools can be taken advantage of with simple flies and baits. Drag artificials in front of schools but throughout the school is good as well. Any lures that are below the surface can actually be hard to see so dragging outside the school is best.

Yellowfin tuna is a very popular fish in the area and there is a demand for them commercially in the area. It is not uncommon that once you happen upon a school to catch many of these great fish.

Booking a Guide or Charter in Baja (Best Times & Seasons)

Guides and charters operate year-round in Baja for different species. As one species becomes less present, they simply move on to catering anglers on the next most prevalent species. Charters can explain what’s in season and help you decide on what to go after as well.

Many guides and charters have locations plotted out for you already, after all that’s their job. Be in communication with them well before your trip to get the best information.

If the charter or guide is booked up and hard to get in with, there’s a good chance that they are the company to go with for the best experience.

Best Time of Day for a Baja Charter

Generally, charters in Baja operate all day every day as certain fish bite best at certain times. Consider also how you want to spend your time in the areas you visit outside of fishing. 

It may be better to pursue a fish later in the day rather than midday so you can enjoy yourself wherever you end up being. Trying a new species that you may not have planned to fish may yield a great trip with unexpected surprises.

Are Charters Required to Fish in Baja?

Absolutely not for quite a few species but there are a few that for sure you will need the aid of a charter. The species that you will need a charter for are few, here is a list of the fish you may not find from shore.

Yellowfin Tuna

Yellowfin tuna generally school up together offshore where beach fishing may not reach. They also need to be fished a certain way, usually a fast fly being dragged in front of the schools. This may be hard to achieve from shore if you were fortunate enough to even have access to a school.

Marlin

Marlins are a fast-moving fish that can be found in open ocean and in shallow waters at times. The need for a charter is access to a boat that can reach the speeds needed to successfully fish for these fish.

Marlin are also species that you will need the knowledge of a charter to find generally. Charters for these species are worth it, however, as the marlin is a great fish to catch.

Sailfish

Similar to the Marlin family, sailfish are extremely fast and require faster speeds to fish that can only be achieved via a boat. Aside from this, Sailfish are easier to spot sunning by boat and can rarely be seen doing this from shore.

Sunning and finning are ways to see where the sailfish are located. Bait and tackle used for sailfish also require special use and special tactics to be used effectively which cannot be achieved from shore very well.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Mexico, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Puerto Penasco, please check out this article.