Sportfishing Charters in Cabo San Lucas with Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing

Big fish are never guaranteed in Cabo. Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing makes the attempt worthwhile with a private boat, hands-on instruction, and captains such as Ismael, Andy, Miguel, and Mateo who work hard to find active water. I especially like the small four-person setup and the chance to choose your target, from mahi mahi to marlin. The main drawback is the extra dock cost for licenses and bait, plus a few reports of water not being supplied as promised.

You leave the marina at 6:00 am and fish for about eight hours, returning to the same dock. I also like that beginners are welcome, while serious anglers can ask to focus on a particular species. Still, this is fishing, not a fish delivery service. Conditions, season, current, wind, and water temperature can make or break the day.

Key points before you book

• Four people maximum: This private charter suits a family or small group, but the boat may feel tight with four adults and full gear.
• 6:00 am departure: The early start gives you a full fishing day and gets you on the water before the heat builds.
• Three boats in the operation: You may fish aboard Kellyfish, Pacific Time, or Fish Hunter Jr., so confirm the assigned boat in advance.
• Extra dock charges: Allow $22 per person for a fishing license, $40 in cash for live bait, and $1 per person for the marina dock fee.
• Strong guide praise: Ismael and Andy receive repeated compliments for patience, effort, and fishing skill, especially with first-timers.
• El Arco views: Cabo’s famous rock arch is part of the route, giving the outing a memorable sightseeing element even on a slow fishing day.

Leaving Cabo Marina at 6:00 am

The day begins at Kellyfish on Boulevard Paseo de la Marina in Cabo San Lucas. You need to arrive ready for an early morning departure. The meeting point is in the marina, and the boat returns there after the charter.

That early start matters. An eight-hour charter gives you time to reach fishing grounds, change tactics, wait out slow periods, and still have time for a final push before heading home. Several accounts describe captains staying focused when the bite was poor, and that patience is important. A slow first hour does not always mean a wasted trip.

This is a private activity, so only your own party joins the boat. That is a real advantage over a large shared fishing boat. You can set the pace, ask questions without competing for attention, and decide whether your group wants to focus on catching dinner, chasing a billfish, or simply enjoying time offshore.

The boats accommodate up to four people. That makes Kellyfish a good fit for a couple, a family with children, or a small group of friends. It also means you should not picture a roomy party boat. One unhappy account complained about having nowhere to sit, while another account specifically described an indoor cabin and bathroom. Since the company operates three boats, comfort may vary by vessel. Confirm the boat and seating arrangement before you pay.

Fishing around Cabo San Lucas

The main purpose here is to find fish, not to follow a fixed sightseeing route. The captain takes you from the marina toward productive grounds and adjusts the plan according to the conditions. Water temperature, color, current, wind, and the season all affect what might be available.

The catch described in the supplied accounts includes mahi mahi, tuna, bonita, trigger fish, wahoo, and marlin. Some groups caught fish within minutes. Others worked for hours before getting a bite. One party caught and released a marlin, then brought in two mahi mahi. Another reached the legal limit of mahi mahi and added tuna during a half-day outing.

Those stories show the range of the day better than any promise of a guaranteed catch. Cabo can produce memorable sportfishing, but even an experienced captain cannot make a fish strike. One angler who wanted to target marlin accepted a slow day because Ismael and Luis kept working until they finally hooked a striped marlin. That is the right mindset for this charter: you are paying for time, equipment, local effort, and a serious chance, not a guaranteed trophy.

I like that the guides work with different skill levels. First-timers receive rods, reels, tackle, and instruction. Children can take part, too. A family with a six-year-old reported catching eight fish and keeping three, while another group wished the crew had explained how to handle the reel before the first fish struck. Ask for a quick demonstration before you start. It takes a minute and can prevent confusion when the line suddenly runs.

What the guides add to the day

The guides receive the strongest praise in the feedback. Ismael is repeatedly described as professional, patient, attentive, and determined to put people on fish. Andy is often paired with him, and the two are praised for helping beginners and keeping the mood light.

Other names connected with the operation include Miguel, Daniel, Luis, and Mateo. The exact crew may depend on the assigned boat and date. The best accounts describe captains changing lures, watching conditions, handling strikes quickly, and keeping everyone involved when the fishing slowed.

That hands-on work is valuable. A good fishing charter is not simply a boat ride with rods placed in holders. The crew needs to set the gear, watch the lines, respond to a strike, and help you land the fish. In one account, the captain moved quickly when a marlin hit near the end of the outing. The fish eventually broke the line, but the preparation and excitement still made the moment worthwhile.

Communication has not been perfect for everyone. One person booked Kellyfish and later discovered the outing would use Pacific Time, described as a different company. The operator explained that it works with several boats and qualified captains. This may be a practical way to handle demand, but it can feel like a bait-and-switch if the change is not explained clearly.

My advice is simple: ask which boat and captain you will have, and save the answer in a text or email. If you care about a specific boat, say so before booking.

El Arco and the Cabo view

El Arco de Cabo San Lucas is listed as the sightseeing stop. This famous rock formation marks the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, and it gives the morning a strong sense of place.

The arch is not the main event, and this is not a dedicated sightseeing cruise. You should think of it as an attractive part of the route rather than a long guided visit. The boat may pass near the rock formation while the crew remains focused on fishing.

That balance suits me. You get Cabo’s best-known coastal view without giving up most of the day to sightseeing. On a day when the fish are quiet, the cliffs, open water, and arch can help keep the outing enjoyable. Several people praised the views as breathtaking, even when the catch did not include a trophy fish.

Bring your camera in a secure, splash-safe bag. The supplied information confirms bottled water as an inclusion, but two accounts say no water was provided. I would bring your own supply anyway and confirm the water arrangement before leaving the dock.

The real cost of a private charter

The charter price shown in the supplied feedback is $495. The value depends heavily on how many people share the boat. Split among four people, the base cost is much easier to justify than it is for one or two anglers.

You also need to budget for charges paid at the marina:

• Fishing license: $22 per person
• Live bait: $40 per booking, cash only
• Marina Cabo San Lucas dock fee: $1 per person
• Bottled water is described as included, but confirm this directly

For four people, the listed extras total $132, assuming everyone buys a license and you purchase live bait. That brings the reported total to $627 before any additional service connected with handling or preparing your catch. For two people, the same extras are $86, making the cost per person higher.

The license is not an optional add-on if you are fishing. Live bait may be useful, but one account complained about paying for bait that was not used. Ask if bait is required for your planned target and how it will be handled if the crew does not use it.

The price can be good value for a private group that wants personal instruction and a full day on the water. It is less attractive if you are traveling alone, dislike extra dock charges, or expect the charter fee to cover every cost. Read the payment details carefully and carry cash for the bait.

Full-day effort versus half-day fishing

Kellyfish offers full-day and half-day charters. The supplied tour details describe an approximately eight-hour outing beginning at 6:00 am, while several accounts discuss half-day trips. Confirm the exact duration attached to your booking.

A full day makes sense if you have a specific target such as marlin and understand that you may need time to search. One angler booked two days and wanted only marlin. The bite was slow because it was not peak season, but persistence produced a striped marlin.

A half-day can work better for beginners, families, or anyone unsure about seasickness. It also gives you time for lunch, a resort afternoon, or another Cabo activity. One half-day group caught bonito and trigger fish after a quiet opening hour, while another reached the mahi mahi limit and added tuna.

Neither option guarantees success. The shorter trip simply gives the captain less time to adjust if the fish are not cooperating.

Catch handling and what happens at the dock

The fishing itself is only part of the practical picture. If you keep fish, ask in advance how the catch will be cleaned, stored, and returned to you. One account praised the communication around catch preparation and storage. Another person warned that not all fish seemed to be returned and that paid vacuum packing and freezing were not completed as expected.

Those are serious details, especially if you plan to take fish home or have a restaurant prepare it. Keep track of your catch and confirm the price and timing for filleting, vacuum packing, or freezing before handing anything over.

You may also be able to take some of your catch to a marina restaurant for cooking. One group brought a wahoo filet to Solomon’s Landing, where it was prepared four ways. That restaurant arrangement is not listed as an included service, so treat it as an optional idea, not part of the charter price.

Who will enjoy Kellyfish most

I would consider this charter a good match for:

• A couple seeking a private fishing day
• A small family that wants its own boat
• Beginners who want crew instruction
• Experienced anglers with a clear target
• Groups willing to accept changing fishing conditions
• People who value guide effort as much as the final catch

It may be a poor match if you want a guaranteed haul, a large boat with lots of room, or a fully inclusive price. It is also not the best choice for someone who wants a pure sightseeing cruise. El Arco is included in the route, but the focus remains fishing.

If anyone in your party gets seasick, the early start and long duration deserve thought. One account praised the presence of an indoor cabin and bathroom on the boat, but boat features can differ. Ask which vessel is assigned before booking if those facilities matter.

The service is offered in English, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Those are useful practical advantages, but you still need to handle the early arrival and dock payments yourself.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the outing for a full refund. That gives you some flexibility if your Cabo plans change, though you should still check the exact booking terms at the time of purchase.

Should you book Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing?

I would book Kellyfish if I had three or four people, wanted a private boat, and accepted that fishing is unpredictable. The repeated praise for Ismael, Andy, and the other captains suggests that the crew effort is the strongest reason to choose this operation. Their patience with beginners and willingness to keep searching can make a slow day feel worthwhile.

Before booking, get four things in writing: the final price, the assigned boat, whether bottled water will be aboard, and the full list of dock charges. Confirm the bait cost and ask how kept fish will be handled.

If you want a serious chance at mahi mahi, tuna, bonito, wahoo, or marlin, this is a promising choice. If you would be disappointed by a day with no bites, spend your money on a sightseeing cruise instead. For the right kind of angler, Kellyfish offers a personal Cabo morning, strong local effort, and the chance to bring home a story that is bigger than the fish.

FAQ

Where does the Kellyfish fishing charter begin?

The meeting point is Kellyfish, Boulevard Paseo de la Marina, San Lucas, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico.

What time does the charter start?

The listed start time is 6:00 am.

How long does the fishing trip last?

The tour details describe an approximately eight-hour charter. Half-day and full-day options are also available, so confirm the duration you select.

How many people can join one boat?

The boats comfortably accommodate up to four people per charter.

Which boats does Kellyfish operate?

The operation uses three boats: Kellyfish, Pacific Time, and Fish Hunter Jr.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Rods, reels, tackle, and other fishing gear are included.

Do I need to pay for a fishing license?

Yes. Each person purchases a fishing license at the dock for $22.

Is live bait included?

No. Live bait costs $40 per booking and must be paid in cash.

Is bottled water included?

Bottled water is listed as included, but some people reported that it was not provided. Confirm this before departure and consider bringing your own.

Does the boat visit El Arco?

Yes. El Arco de Cabo San Lucas is included as a stop on the route.

Is this a shared fishing trip?

No. It is a private activity for your own group.

Can beginners join?

Yes. The company welcomes first-time anglers as well as experienced fishermen and provides instruction.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund.