Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Mexico (Complete Guide)
Mexico offers some of the best fishing in the world for largemouth bass, mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, roosterfish, yellowtail, and billfish. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish in Mexico can make a huge difference in your success.
The best time to fish in Mexico for largemouth bass, marlin, yellowfin tuna, and mahi-mahi is spring and fall. Summer is a great time for big roosterfish, redfish, and wahoo in Mexican coastal waters.
In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in the country of Mexico. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in Mexico is on a species-by-species basis.
Best Time to Fish Mexico
The best time to fish in Mexico depends on the species that you are going to target. Fishermen can catch many different species in the waters of Mexico.
Do you want to visit Mexico in winter? If so, you have a chance to catch amberjack, blue marlin, black marlin, dorado, pargo, sierra, sailfish, and striped marlin.
Spring provides anglers with better fishing opportunities. Fishermen can target dorado, tarpon, roosterfish, striped marlin, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo.
In summer, fishermen can catch a wide variety of fish species including blue marlin, black marlin, dorado, striped marlin, roosterfish, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, yellowtail, and wahoo.
Fishing in Mexico is excellent during the fall months. Fall is a great time to target black marlin, blue marlin, dorado, roosterfish, striped marlin, sailfish, sierra, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo.
Mexico Species Breakdown: Best Time
Largemouth bass
Mexico is best known for its excellent largemouth bass fishing. Largemouth bass actively feeds during the spring and fall months. Oftentimes, largemouth bass bites well during the evening hours.
Those anglers, who are interested in targeting largemouth bass, should visit Lake El Salto as well as Lake Baccarac. These two bass lakes are located in the western part of Mexico.
Yellowfin Tuna
Anglers have an opportunity to enjoy yellowfin tuna fishing during their Mexico fishing trips. It’s possible to fish for yellowfin tuna in the waters of Mexico year-round. Yellowfin tuna begins to feed actively in Mexico in June.
The season to fish for yellowfin tuna is high between the early fall and the early winter. Yellowfin tuna bites well between dusk and dawn. Anglers should visit Mexican Gulf to enjoy yellowfin tuna fishing.
Roosterfish
It’s possible to fish for roosterfish in Mexico as well. Roosterfish is active year-round. However, the peak season to fish roosterfish is May-August. Baja Del Sur provides anglers with great roosterfish fishing opportunities.
Mahi-Mahi
Mahi fishing is very productive between January and February and between May and December. Mahi bites well during the early morning and late evening hours. A lot of anglers choose to enjoy mahi-mahi fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.
Redfish
Fishermen have a chance to catch redfish in Mexico. Summer is a great time to enjoy redfish fishing. The season to fish redfish is high between the late summer and the early fall.
Redfish bites well in the early morning. Anglers should target redfish from northern Mexico to the Southeast of the US.
Sailfish
Sailfish fishing in Mexico is good year-round. Anglers can fish for sailfish successfully in January and between April and December. The best sailfishing spots are located near Isla Mujeres.
Yellowtail
Fishermen can also catch yellowtail tuna during their trips. Yellowtail tuna gets active between September and December. Yellowtail tuna bites well before sunrise and sunset. Book a charter to go to the Gulf of Mexico and catch yellowtail tuna.
Sharks
Shark fishing is exciting in Mexico. Anglers in Mexico have a chance to land a big shark. Sharks are the most active between May and September.
Oftentimes, sharks bite well at dawn and dusk. Baja is a location that has gained huge popularity among shark fishermen in Mexico.
Marlin
Marlin is one of the target fish species in Mexico. Marlin fishing is the most productive between April and September. Marlin bites well in the morning and afternoon. Oftentimes, fishermen land a big marlin near Cabo San Lucas.
Dorado
The waters of Mexico are full of dorado. Dorado is the most active during the summer and fall months. Dorado fishing is very productive during the morning and evening hours. Cabo San Lucas is the perfect place to enjoy dorado fishing in Mexico.
Wahoo
Wahoo fishing charters are available for anglers in Mexico as well. Fishermen should target wahoo between October and February and between August and September.
Anglers, who target wahoo, get a lot of bites at first light. Cabo San Lucas is of the top wahoo fishing destinations in Mexico.
Recommended Mexico Fishing Guides/Charters
These Mexico-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 | Location |
| BlueSea Sportfishing | Cabo San Lucas |
| Black Marlin Sportfishing | Cabo San Lucas |
| Fishing Cancún Charters | Cancún |
| Cancun Light Tackle & Fly Fishing Tours | Cancún |
| High Tides Fishing | Puerto Vallarta |
| Ursula Fishing IV – 34’ Crystaliner | Cabo San Lucas |
| Picudo Sport Fishing | Cabo San Lucas |
| Balihoo Boat Fishing Charter | Playa Del Carmen |
| El Jefe Boat Charters | Puerto Peñasco |
| Samaki Cancun Charters | Cancún |
| Calypso Charters – Calypso II | Puerto Vallarta |
| The Rusty Hook | Playa Del Carmen |
| Cabo Sportfishing Crew – Blue Tail | Cabo San Lucas |
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 if you want to create your combo.
Best Time of Day to Fish Mexico
The vast majority of fish species get active in Mexico during the morning and afternoon hours. That’s why anglers should aim to fish from morning to afternoon.
Mexico Regions: Best Fishing Times
Baja & Sea of Cortez
Anglers can fish Baja & Sea of Cortez at any time of the year. However, the vast majority of fish species actively feed between June and September. So, plan fishing adventures for these months.
Yucatan Peninsula
Fishing in Yucatan Peninsula is the best between May and June.
Southern Pacific Coast
Anglers can enjoy fishing on Mexico’s Southern Pacific Coast all year long. However, fishing in the region is best between November and June.
Northern Gulf of Mexico (Mexican territory)
Fishing near the northern Gulf of Mexico is productive when waters are getting warmer. So, the best time of the year to fish in this location is between the late spring and early fall.
Mexico Fishing & Tidal Impacts
There is a direct link between the movement of water and the increase in the activity of fish. Water movement creates the ideal conditions for fishing. If there is water movement, fish begin to feed actively and it’s pretty easy to catch it.
Fishing is excellent during an incoming tide. Oxygen-rich waters that enter the area have a hugely profound impact on fish activity.
Top Fishing Spots in Mexico
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas is a fishing location like no other. It’s famous for the popular Marlin tournament. Anglers from all over the world come to this place in order to participate in the tournament. The fishing destination is suitable both for inshore and offshore fishing.
A lot of marlin can be found in the waters of Cabo San Lucas. Striped Marlin is the main target in this area. The season to fish for striped marlin in Cabo San Lucas is high between November and March. In addition, anglers can catch billfish, bonefish, cabo, permit, and other species of fish.
The Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico impresses anglers with the abundance of fish. Here, anglers can fish from shore. There are bays and beaches where anglers can experience fishing.
Shore fishing allows anglers to target such species of fish as jack crevalle, mackerel, pompano, snappers, snook, and tarpon.
A lot of fish can be found in nearshore waters. Waters around reefs attract fish. Anglers can catch barracuda, cobia, groupers, jacks, and red snapper in such fishing spots.
Anglers can enjoy deep sea fishing adventures in the Gulf of Mexico. During such trips, fishermen can catch mahi-mahi, marlin, tuna, and wahoo.
The Sea of Cortez
The Sea of Cortez is also known as the world’s aquarium. The sea is close to the Pacific’s deep waters. A lot of fish migrate through this spot. Summer is a great time of the year to experience fishing near the Sea of Cortez.
The area offers easy access to the Pacific. There are many great fishing spots in the area. It’s possible to fish on the beach, jetties, and piers.
Among the fish species that anglers can target during their trips are billfish, groupers, sailfish, mahi-mahi, mackerel, striped marlin, roosterfish, snappers, triggerfish, yellowtail, and yellowfin tuna.
The Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is well-known among tourists and snorkeling enthusiasts. On top of that, this place offers excellent fishing opportunities. The Caribbean Sea has gained huge popularity among fly anglers. The sea has the largest reef system that attracts fish.
Here, anglers can enjoy bay fishing. Fishing is also good near the islands. Anglers can target a variety of fish species in the sea. Here, you can catch billfish, bonefish, jack crevalle, permit, snook and tarpon.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta attracts both tourists and angling enthusiasts. Fishing in Puerto Vallarta is incredible year-round. Anglers can book a charter to enjoy fishing in the deep waters of the Pacific.
The location impresses with its diversity of fish. Here, anglers can target amberjack, blue marlin, black marlin, sailfish, striped marlin, groupers, mahi-mahi, tuna, and snapper.
Riviera Maya
Riviera Maya is well-known for its beautiful beaches, remote islands, and, of course, excellent fishing. Anglers should book a charter to have unforgettable fishing adventures in Riviera Maya.
During a fishing trip, anglers can catch such fish species as barracuda, bonefish, jack crevalle, tarpon, snook, and permit.
Freshwater Lakes
Fishermen can also enjoy freshwater fishing in Mexico. There are many freshwater lakes in the region. Lake Baccarac, Lakes Guerrerro, El Salto, and El Cuchillo provide anglers with great largemouth bass fishing opportunities.
River and Streams
It’s possible to enjoy river fishing in Mexico. There are rivers in different parts of the country. The Grijalva River, the Papaloapan, the Rio Grande as well as the Grande de Santiago and Atoyac Rivers allow anglers to enjoy fishing year-round. Rivers of Mexico are full of bass, carp, catfish, and trout.
Is Winter Fishing Bad in Mexico?
Winter fishing in Mexico is not bad, but it’s less productive compared to fishing in the spring, summer, and fall months. Nevertheless, anglers can go to Mexico to enjoy fishing in winter.
Among the most popular winter fishing spots in Mexico are Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Riviera Maya.
A lot of anglers choose to fish on the Pacific Coast in December. Tuna fishing is excellent this month. Plus, anglers can target albacore and yellowfin during Mexico winter fishing trips.
Anglers can enjoy fishing in the waters of Cabo San Lucas in January. The early winter is a great time to target sharks, striped marlin, and wahoo.
Also, fishermen can visit Puerto Vallarta. Here, it’s possible to catch black marlin and sailfish. Inshore anglers should go to Riviera Maya to fish for snook.
Fishing is less productive in Cabo San Lucas in February. Nevertheless, fishermen can still get bites of sharks and striped marlin.
If you go fishing in Riviera Maya, you’ll manage to catch jack crevalle and snook. When fishing in Puerto Vallarta during the winter months, anglers have a chance to catch black marlin and sailfish.
Booking Guides & Charters in Mexico
– Best season to go
It’s possible to fish in the waters of Mexico year-round. The fishing season in Mexico is good between May and November.
However, a lot of anglers come to Mexico to enjoy fishing in summer. Keep in mind that July and August are the busiest seasons. That means that charters may not be available in the region during the summer months. So, book a charter ahead of time.
It makes sense to plan fishing adventures for the late spring, early summer, and fall. The demand for fishing in Mexico is lower in May, June, September, and October. However, fishermen can still get excellent results during these months.
– Morning vs. afternoon
Anglers choose to go fishing in Mexico either in the morning or in the afternoon. Morning and afternoon fishing has their own pros and cons.
First of all, anglers need to decide what fish species they are going to target during their fishing trips. Go fishing when your target fish species are the most active. Let’s say you want to target Dorado. In this case, you should go fishing in the morning. Marlin bites well during afternoon hours.
Morning fishing is good during the hot summer months. Water cools down in the morning and fish begin to feed actively.
Afternoon fishing is more productive in spring, fall and winter. The water heats up in the afternoon and the activity of fish increases.
-1/2 day, full-day, multi-day charters
Anglers also need to decide how much time they want to spend on fishing. There are half-day, full-day, and multi-day charters.
Half-day fishing trips last 4 – 12 hours. Are you a beginner? Or, maybe, you want to book a fishing trip for your family? In this case, 1/2 day fishing trips are worth considering. On the other hand, half-day fishing trips are short. So, anglers may not have enough time to enjoy fishing.
Full-day fishing trips are recommended to more experienced anglers. Anglers, who spend a whole day on fishing, usually have a better chance to land a trophy. However, full-day trips are more expensive than half-day ones.
Avid anglers can also consider booking multi-day charters. Such trips last several days and allow anglers to get the most out of fishing in Mexico. Also, anglers are provided with meals and drinks during their fishing trips. Multi-day trips are more expensive than full-day ones.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Puerto Vallarta, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Playa del Carmen, please check out this helpful guide.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Huatulco, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Tulum, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Baja, please check out this helpful guide.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Mazatlán, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Cozumel, please check out this helpful guide.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Cabo San Lucas, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Cancun, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in the Gulf of Mexico, please check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Puerto Penasco, please check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the cost of fishing charters in Cabo San Lucas, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of how good fishing in Puerto Vallarta is, check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the best fishing charters in Cancun, check out this list.
