Pacifictime Sports Fishing in Cabos san lucas

The fish can change your whole Cabo morning. Pacifictime Sports Fishing puts you on a private 34-foot Blackfin with Captain Paulo and a hard-working crew, targeting marlin, tuna, wahoo, mahi mahi, roosterfish, snapper, and sailfish. I like the early launch, the chance to fish with local professionals, and the fact that your catch can go back to your hotel or a restaurant.

I also like the private format. Your group of up to six has the boat to itself, rather than sharing rods and deck space with strangers. The main drawback is that the $799 price does not include fishing licenses, live bait, possible hotel pickup fees, fish cleaning, or tips, so your final cost can rise quickly.

For anglers who want a serious shot at big fish, this is an appealing Cabo outing. For families expecting a polished sightseeing cruise with constant conversation, the experience may feel more like joining a working sportfishing boat.

Key points to know before booking

• Captain Paulo earns repeated praise: He and crew members such as Eddie, Cesar, Julio, Enrique, and Armando are often credited with working hard and finding fish.
• The boat fishes for big species: Marlin, sailfish, wahoo, tuna, mahi mahi, roosterfish, yellowtail snapper, bonito, and pompano have all been caught on different trips.
• The advertised trip length needs checking: The booking details describe an approximately five-hour trip, while the operator also offers five- or eight-hour outings.
• Bring extra cash: Licenses and bait are not included, and past costs have ranged from $20 per person for licenses to $40, $45, or more for bait.
• It is trolling, not casual casting: The crew usually runs multiple lines while the boat moves, though casting with jigs may be possible if you request it.
• Expect a working boat: The crew is praised for results, but some groups found communication limited and the cabin crowded with fishing gear.

An early start from O Dock

The standard start time is 6:00 a.m. at O Dock 2 in central Cabo San Lucas. That early departure is useful. You get cooler morning conditions, a sunrise over the water, and more fishing time before the heat builds.

Several groups were picked up at hotels around 5:30 to 5:45 a.m. The tour information highlights hotel pickup, but the listed meeting point is the marina. Confirm this directly before you pay, especially if you are staying outside central Cabo. One person was charged $30 for pickup, so do not assume transportation is included in the $799 group price.

At the marina, you will deal with the practical business before leaving. Fishing licenses and live bait are extra. The license cost has been reported as $20 per adult, or about 200 pesos per person, though you should confirm the current amount. Bait has been reported at $40, $45, and $100 cash, depending on the trip and the amount needed.

There is a small convenience store near the departure point for coffee, drinks, and snacks. Bottled water, ice, and a cooler are included on the boat, but bringing cash for food, drinks, licenses, bait, cleaning, and tips is wise.

Captain Paulo and the 34-foot Blackfin

The boat is a 34-foot Blackfin, a useful size for a private group of up to six. You get more room than on a small open skiff, and the boat can work inshore or offshore waters depending on conditions, the target species, and your request.

Captain Paulo is the name most often associated with this experience. He has worked with crew members including Eddie, Cesar, Julio, Enrique, Ramon, Josue, Derek, Eric, and Armando. The strongest praise is consistent: the captain and deckhands keep lines moving, change bait when needed, and adjust the plan when one species is not cooperating.

That matters in Cabo. Fishing is not a restaurant order where you simply choose marlin and wait for it to arrive. The crew has to read the water, watch what is running, decide how far offshore to go, and change tactics. One successful outing began with trolling for a requested species, then shifted toward tuna after the first approach was slow. The group began catching fish after several quiet hours.

The boat is set up for sportfishing rather than luxury cruising. You may find a small toilet onboard, plenty of fishing equipment, and a cabin that feels crowded with gear. One group found the inside of the boat dirty, while many others described the vessel as comfortable and a good size. I would set your expectations at practical and functional, not high-end.

The engines are also loud. Earplugs are a sensible addition, especially if you are sensitive to noise or plan to spend all five hours near the stern.

What five hours on the water really means

The advertised experience lasts approximately five hours, with the option of five- or eight-hour trips through the operator. Confirm the exact length and boat before booking, since the supplied details mention both a five-hour outing and longer options.

After the lines are prepared, the crew generally trolls. That means the boat keeps moving while several rods trail bait or lures behind it. This is not usually a day of sitting in one place and casting your own pole over and over.

That style is ideal if your priority is a marlin, sailfish, wahoo, or other large fish. The crew handles much of the technical work, then helps you when a fish strikes. It also means young children or first-time anglers may spend periods watching rather than actively casting.

If you want more hands-on fishing, ask before departure. One family requested time for their boys to cast jigs, and the crew agreed. That option should be treated as a request, not a guaranteed part of the standard trip.

The rhythm can change fast. One outing had three marlin hooked at the same time shortly after the lines went in. Another group spent four quiet hours before catching several tuna in the final hour. A five-hour charter can produce a memorable haul, but it can also include long stretches of waiting.

The fish you might target around Cabo

The species list is a major reason to book this outing. The operator fishes for marlin, tuna, wahoo, roosterfish, yellowtail snapper, sailfish, and other local species.

Marlin are the headline catch. Different groups landed blue marlin, striped marlin, and other marlin identified simply by name. One fish took about two hours to reel in. Another group caught an 8.75-foot marlin and planned to have it mounted. These are powerful fish, and even with crew assistance, the fight can be physically demanding.

Sailfish and wahoo add variety. One early-morning trip produced a marlin, two sailfish over 100 pounds, and a roughly 60-pound wahoo. That same group saw dolphins, sea lions, and whales, adding wildlife to an already busy morning.

Mahi mahi, also called dolphin fish, are another prized possibility. They are smaller and often more manageable than marlin, and the meat is popular for lunch or dinner. Tuna and bonito can provide faster action when the larger game fish are quiet.

Inshore requests can lead to roosterfish, pompano, mackerel, or yellowtail snapper. One trip produced mackerel, pompano, and roosterfish, while another caught seven mahi mahi. The captain can discuss your preferred targets, but no crew can promise a particular species on a particular day.

Wildlife and Cabo views between strikes

Fishing is the main event, but the ride can bring excellent extras. Groups have seen breaching whales, pods of dolphins, sea lions, and Cabo’s famous Arch. The sunrise and coastline views are part of the appeal of leaving at 6:00 a.m.

These sightings are not guaranteed, and the crew’s focus is fishing. Still, a whale breaching beside a marlin hookup is the kind of bonus that makes a morning feel much larger than a standard boat ride.

The Arch may be included as part of the route or a quick photo opportunity, depending on the fishing plan. One group passed by it for pictures. If sightseeing matters as much as catching fish, ask about the route before departure.

Catching, keeping, and taking fish home

When a fish takes the line, the crew helps you move into position and manage the fight. This is especially important for first-time offshore anglers. A marlin can take a long time to bring close, and an inexperienced angler can tire quickly.

The catch-handling arrangements are separate from the charter. At the port, local workers can help transport, clean, bag, vacuum-pack, freeze, or send fish to your hotel for a fee. One group paid $35 for filleting. Another paid $50 for cleaning and bagging.

You can take fish back to your hotel for dinner, give it to a restaurant, or arrange further processing. A group of 20 took about 25 pounds of fish to a restaurant and paid $35 for filleting. Another family kept a large fillet for dinner and arranged to have the rest packed.

Ask in advance what happens to any fish you keep. One disappointing experience involved a group that caught bonito but did not feel the crew explained the options or offered them any of the fish. The issue was not only the catch. It was the lack of communication afterward.

Also consider conservation. Several groups released at least one marlin, even after landing more than one. If you want to release billfish or keep a legal food fish, tell the captain clearly at the beginning.

The $799 price and the extra cash you need

The listed price is $799 per group of up to six. That can be reasonable for a private boat if six people share the cost, especially when the crew puts you on multiple fish. Split six ways, the base price is about $133 per person before extras.

For two or three people, the value is less obvious. You still get a private charter, but the same group price is divided among fewer anglers. The benefit is privacy, schedule control, and more direct access to the rods.

Budget for costs beyond the headline amount:

• Fishing licenses
• Live bait
• Possible hotel pickup charge
• Fish cleaning or filleting
• Packing, freezing, or delivery
• Drinks and snacks beyond the included bottled water
• Tips for the captain, mates, dock workers, and fish handlers

The exact bait price has varied in reported experiences, from about $40 or $45 to $100 cash. That difference may reflect the amount or type of bait used, but it is still a reason to ask for the current price.

One person felt bait should have been included in a charter of this price. That is a fair concern. The listing clearly excludes live bait, but extra charges can still surprise you if you do not read the details carefully.

Communication, comfort, and the real weak spot

The best trips feature an active crew that explains what is happening and helps every angler. Captain Paulo is praised for speaking good English, asking what the group wants to catch, and making families feel comfortable. Teenagers and first-time ocean anglers have received hands-on help when fish hit.

The weaker experiences share a different problem. The crew was polite but quiet, and the passengers felt like they were sitting in on a normal workday rather than taking part in a planned adventure. One family said questions were answered, but little conversation was offered without prompting.

I would solve this before the boat leaves. Tell the captain if you want explanations, help with technique, photos, species information, or a chance for children to handle the rods. The crew’s main strength is fishing results, not constant tour commentary.

The boat’s interior may also look more like a working fishing vessel than a polished excursion boat. If you want spotless cabins, padded seating, and a guided sightseeing feel, this may not be your best match.

Who should book Pacifictime Sports Fishing

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Small groups that want a private boat
• Families with older children or teenagers
• Anglers focused on marlin, wahoo, tuna, mahi mahi, or sailfish
• First-time offshore anglers who want crew support
• People who value local fishing skill over luxury finishes
• Groups willing to bring cash and accept variable results

I would think twice if you want a quiet sightseeing cruise, polished onboard service, or a guaranteed catch. I would also avoid booking without clarification if your group has mobility needs, since the available information only confirms that service animals are allowed and that most people can participate.

The operator lists the activity in English. Confirmation is sent at booking, and the tour is private, with only your group onboard. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book this Cabo fishing charter?

If your dream morning involves a hard fight with a marlin, wahoo, or sailfish, Pacifictime Sports Fishing deserves serious consideration. The 4.8 rating from 197 reviews and 94 percent recommendation rate fit the strongest pattern here: Captain Paulo and his crew work hard, adjust tactics, and often create exciting fishing days.

I would book it after confirming four things in writing: the exact boat, five or eight hours, hotel pickup cost, and the current price for licenses and bait. Bring earplugs, cash, sunscreen, and realistic expectations about quiet periods.

Book it for fishing first, wildlife and scenery second. If you want that balance, the private 34-foot boat and experienced local crew offer good value for a full group. If you mainly want a social, polished boat tour, spend your money elsewhere.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip start?

The listed meeting point is O Dock 2, Centro, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the trip begin?

The stated start time is 6:00 a.m. Some hotel pickups have taken place around 5:30 to 5:45 a.m.

How long is the fishing trip?

The booking details describe an approximately five-hour experience. The operator also offers five- or eight-hour trips, so confirm the length when reserving.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers one private group of up to six people. Only your group participates in the activity.

What is included in the price?

Bottled water, ice, and a cooler are included.

Are fishing licenses and bait included?

No. Fishing licenses and live bait are not included. Past license prices have been about $20 per adult, and bait has been reported at different cash prices.

What fish can I target?

Possible species include marlin, tuna, wahoo, roosterfish, yellowtail snapper, sailfish, mahi mahi, bonito, pompano, and mackerel. The actual catch depends on conditions and what is running.

Can I take my catch home?

Yes. You can take fish back to prepare or cook. Fish cleaning, filleting, bagging, freezing, vacuum-packing, or delivery to a hotel costs extra.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time.