when to go fishing in baja - Baja fishing guide

Baja California fishes year-round — but the best action shifts dramatically by month, region, and target species. Water temperature is the single biggest driver: warm water pushes pelagic species north and concentrates them near the surface, while cooler water slows the tropicals but can produce excellent inshore fishing. Understanding the seasonal rhythm helps you pick the right destination, target the right species, and time your trip for peak conditions.

This calendar covers the full Baja peninsula from Ensenada in the north to Cabo San Lucas in the south, broken down month by month.

January

Overall: Quietest month across the peninsula. Crowds are minimal and prices are at their lowest — if you’re flexible on species this is a great time to find deals.

Northern Baja (Ensenada, Coronados): Cooler Pacific water (58–64°F) means yellowtail slow down significantly. Rockfish and lingcod are active and can be targeted on overnight trips. Halibut are present but sluggish.

Southern Baja (Cabo, East Cape, La Paz): Striped marlin fishing can be exceptional in January — this is peak season for billfish around Cabo. Water temps drop to 68–72°F but the marlin stay. Wahoo slow down but don’t disappear entirely.

Best target in January: Striped marlin (Cabo), rockfish (northern Baja)

February

Overall: Similar to January — quiet, affordable, and good for anglers willing to target whatever is biting rather than specific species.

Northern Baja: Yellowtail begin to show more consistently as water temps edge up through February. Some years produce exceptional yellows in late February around the Coronados. Rockfish remain excellent.

Southern Baja: Marlin fishing continues to be strong around Cabo. Gray whale watching peaks in Guerrero Negro’s lagoons — a worthwhile side trip if you’re driving south. Roosterfish begin to show in La Paz as the Cortez slowly warms.

Best target in February: Striped marlin (Cabo), early yellowtail (Coronados)

March

Overall: Spring begins to show. Temperatures rise, the Pacific starts to warm, and fish get more active across the peninsula.

Northern Baja: Yellowtail fishing picks up noticeably — March through May is often the best period for yellows around the Coronados and Ensenada. Schools concentrate around kelp beds and structure. [AMAZON: Tady 45 yo-yo jig]

Southern Baja: Roosterfish become more active along the East Cape beaches as Cortez water temps climb toward 70°F. Dorado start to appear in small numbers off La Paz and Loreto. Sierra mackerel are abundant and fun on light tackle.

Best target in March: Yellowtail (Coronados, Ensenada), early roosterfish (East Cape)

April

Overall: One of the best months for northern Baja. Spring yellowtail are in full swing and conditions are typically excellent — calm seas, comfortable temperatures, and fewer crowds than summer.

Northern Baja: Peak spring yellowtail season. Schools stack around kelp paddy lines and offshore structure. Halibut fishing picks up significantly on the sandy flats around San Quintin. White seabass begin to show in Ensenada-area waters.

Southern Baja: Roosterfish action builds along the East Cape and La Paz beaches. Dorado numbers increase around Loreto. Water temps around 72–76°F in the Cortez. Sierra mackerel excellent throughout. Some early tuna showing around Cabo.

Best target in April: Yellowtail (northern Baja), halibut (San Quintin), roosterfish (East Cape)

May

Overall: The transition month — northern Baja spring fishing remains strong while the southern Cortez warms into peak territory. May is an underrated month with excellent fishing and pre-peak-season prices.

Northern Baja: Yellowtail continue strong. The first bluefin tuna of the year sometimes push north to the Coronados in warm-water years — a bonus worth watching for. Halibut fishing peaks at San Quintin.

Southern Baja: Dorado season begins in earnest — the first paddies appear offshore as water temps hit 76–80°F. Roosterfish are extremely active along the East Cape and La Paz. Wahoo begin to stir in the deep water south of La Paz. Loreto’s offshore banks light up with yellowtail and dorado.

Best target in May: Halibut (San Quintin), dorado (Loreto, La Paz), roosterfish (East Cape)

June

Overall: Summer begins. Warm-water species push north and fishing intensifies across the entire peninsula. June marks the start of the best overall season in southern Baja.

Northern Baja: Yellowtail remain excellent. Albacore tuna start to appear further offshore. Summer crowds begin on the San Diego-departure boats heading to the Coronados.

Southern Baja: Dorado are abundant — finding a kelp paddy off Loreto or La Paz and working it with light tackle is one of the great Baja fishing experiences. Wahoo pick up significantly. Roosterfish peak. Tuna become more consistent around Cabo. Water temps 80–84°F in the Cortez.

Best target in June: Dorado (Loreto, La Paz), roosterfish (East Cape), wahoo (La Paz)

July

Overall: Peak season begins across southern Baja. Everything is biting, the water is warm, and conditions are excellent — but crowds and prices reflect it.

Northern Baja: Yellowtail remain active. Yellowfin tuna begin pushing north of the border in good numbers. The long-range fleet out of San Diego starts targeting 2–5 day trips to the offshore banks.

Southern Baja: All species are firing: dorado are everywhere around paddies and weed lines, wahoo are aggressive in the deep water, roosterfish top out on the beaches, and tuna are consistent. Marlin season peaks around Cabo. Water temps hit 84–88°F — peak pelagic conditions. Book ahead — July boats fill quickly.

Best target in July: Dorado (everywhere south of Loreto), wahoo (La Paz, East Cape), tuna (offshore banks)

August

Overall: The height of summer. Peak fishing, peak crowds, peak prices — and peak heat. Morning departures are critical; afternoons can be brutal. Watch for tropical storms and swells.

Northern Baja: Yellowfin and bluefin tuna are active offshore. Yellowtail slow as water temps rise above their comfort zone. Offshore trips from San Diego are in full swing targeting tuna banks 50–100+ miles out.

Southern Baja: All species remain at peak. Dorado are exceptionally abundant — some years produce near-constant kelp paddy action. Wahoo at their most aggressive. Hurricane season begins; check weather forecasts carefully before booking.

Best target in August: Tuna (offshore, northern Baja), dorado and wahoo (southern Baja)

September

Overall: Arguably the best overall month to fish Baja. Water temps remain warm, pelagics are still stacked, and crowds begin to thin as summer ends. Prices start to drop. The sweet spot of the year.

Northern Baja: Tuna continue to be excellent offshore. Yellowtail start to come back as water cools slightly. Albacore tuna accessible from San Diego on longer range trips.

Southern Baja: Everything is still biting and the crowds have thinned noticeably from August. Dorado remain abundant. Wahoo fishing peaks in September — this is when big fish are most consistently available. Roosterfish continue strong. Water temps 82–86°F.

Best target in September: Wahoo (La Paz, East Cape, Cabo), dorado (all southern destinations), tuna (offshore)

October

Overall: One of the best fishing months of the year — fantastic conditions, declining crowds, and lower prices. Peak wahoo and consistent dorado before the season winds down.

Northern Baja: Yellowtail return in force as Pacific water temps drop to the ideal range (64–70°F). Some years produce extraordinary yellowtail fishing at the Coronados and Ensenada in October. Bluefin tuna can be excellent in warm-water years.

Southern Baja: Wahoo fishing peaks in October — this is the month serious wahoo anglers target. Dorado begin to thin but remain excellent. Marlin fishing around Cabo builds toward its winter peak. Water temps 78–84°F. Last month of reliable summer-species action before the transition.

Best target in October: Wahoo (La Paz, East Cape), yellowtail (northern Baja), marlin (Cabo)

November

Overall: The transition out of summer season. Pelagics slow significantly in the south while northern Baja enters a productive fall phase. Prices drop and crowds are minimal.

Northern Baja: Fall yellowtail can be exceptional — November fish are often larger than summer fish and less pressured. Halibut and bottom fishing remain solid through November. White seabass sometimes show in good numbers.

Southern Baja: Wahoo and dorado become much less reliable — some good days still happen but don’t book a trip specifically for them. Marlin around Cabo is the story. Sierra mackerel and bottom species remain available.

Best target in November: Fall yellowtail (Coronados, Ensenada), striped marlin (Cabo)

December

Overall: Quiet season in most of Baja. Great for anglers who want uncrowded water, lower prices, and don’t mind adapting to what’s available.

Northern Baja: Cooler water (60–65°F) slows most species. Rockfish, lingcod, and bottom fishing remain productive. Some yellowtail hang around structure into December in warm years.

Southern Baja: Striped marlin fishing builds at Cabo — December marks the beginning of the best marlin months. Some big yellowfin tuna appear offshore. Wahoo largely gone. The Cortez cools to 70–74°F.

Best target in December: Striped marlin (Cabo), bottom fishing (northern Baja)

Quick Reference: Best Months by Species

Species	Best Months	Best Region
Yellowtail	March–May, September–November	Northern Baja, Loreto
Halibut	April–June	San Quintin, Ensenada
Dorado	June–October	Loreto, La Paz, East Cape
Wahoo	August–October	La Paz, East Cape, Cabo
Roosterfish	May–October	East Cape, La Paz
Tuna	June–November	Offshore banks, Cabo
Striped Marlin	October–March	Cabo San Lucas
White Seabass	March–June	Ensenada, San Quintin
Rockfish	Year-round	Northern Baja

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best month to fish Baja for the first time?

September and October offer the best combination of active fishing, thinner crowds, and lower prices. All summer species are still available and the oppressive August heat has eased.

When is wahoo season in Baja?

Wahoo are most reliably available from July through November, with September and October widely considered peak wahoo months in the La Paz and East Cape areas.

When is the best time to fish Ensenada?

Spring (March–May) is the peak yellowtail season out of Ensenada. Fall (September–November) produces another strong run of yellowtail as the water cools from summer highs.

Is Cabo fishing year-round?

Yes — Cabo is one of the few Baja destinations with genuinely year-round fishing. Striped marlin peak in winter (October–March), while dorado, wahoo, and tuna dominate summer and fall.

When should I avoid fishing Baja?

There’s no truly bad month, but December through February in the south sees reduced warm-water species activity. August brings peak crowds and prices, plus hurricane risk. If you’re flexible on species, every month has something good to offer.

Does water temperature matter that much for Baja fishing?

Enormously. Pelagic species like dorado, wahoo, and tuna follow warm water (75°F+). Yellowtail prefer cooler water (64–70°F). Check current SST maps at fishing-reports.ai before your trip to see real-time conditions.

When is hurricane season in Baja?

Hurricane season officially runs June through November, with August through October being the highest risk period. Always check forecasts before booking a summer or fall trip, particularly to southern Baja. Most years see little hurricane impact on fishing, but it’s worth monitoring.

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Baja Fishing Seasons: Month-by-Month Calendar | Baja Fishing Guide