Baja has two entirely different fisheries running on opposite clocks. The Pacific side, from the border down past Ensenada, peaks in summer and early fall on bluefin and yellowtail. The Sea of Cortez side warms earlier and fishes through the heat. And 1,000 miles south, the Cape region around Cabo and La Paz runs a billfish calendar of its own. Where you go depends far more on the month than on the drive.
Start With the Permit
Every person on a boat carrying fishing tackle needs a Mexican sportfishing permit from CONAPESCA — whether or not they personally intend to fish.
Inspections happen at marinas, at boat ramps, and on the beach, and fishing without a permit risks a fine and confiscated gear.
Fishing Permits — who needs one, what it costs, how to buy it →
Four Ways Onto the Water
San Diego day boats, the Ensenada fleet, Gulf-coast pangas, or a fly-in Cape trip — they suit very different trips.
Pacific Side — What's Biting When
Bluefin from roughly May through October is the headline run; yellowtail is available most of the year, and rockfish carry the winter.
Sea of Cortez — What's Biting When
The Gulf runs on a different clock: spring seabass and yellowtail, summer dorado, fall snapper and grouper.
The Upper Gulf Is Restricted — Don't Improvise
The Upper Gulf of California is a heavily restricted zone under totoaba and vaquita protections, and San Felipe sits at the edge of it.
The Cape — Cabo and La Paz
Striped marlin from November through May, summer billfish with the warm water — October is the month most captains name.
What It Costs
Roughly $400 for a four-hour Ensenada charter and $600 for a full day; pangas run cheaper and Cape boats higher.
Before You Book
Confirm the permit is included, bring cash, check the tides, and ask the captain what today's bag limit actually is.
Worth Finding
Coronado Islands
Fourteen miles south of San Diego and inside Mexican water — yellowtail, calico bass, and bonito. Reached on half- and three-quarter-day boats from the San Diego landings, which sell the Mexican day license at the counter.
Ensenada sportfishing docks
The largest charter fleet in northern Baja, on the waterfront near the cruise pier. Summer bluefin is the headline run; yellowtail and bottom fishing carry the rest of the year.
Maneadero / Punta Banda
Just south of Ensenada past La Bufadora — a second cluster of charters and pangas, generally quieter and cheaper than the main Ensenada docks.
San Quintín
About 2.5 hours south of Ensenada. A working panga fishery known for white seabass, yellowtail, and rockfish, with far less traffic than Ensenada.
San Felipe
Northern Sea of Cortez panga fishing, roughly 2.5 hours from Mexicali. Enormous tidal swings — check tide tables before planning a shore day. Upper Gulf restrictions apply; fish with a licensed local operator.
Bahía de los Ángeles
Mid-peninsula on the Gulf coast — yellowtail, white seabass, cabrilla, and grouper. Spring for the seabass run, summer and fall for yellowtail; summer winds can shut a day down.
Nacho