Southern Baja California Sportfishing

Fishing spots along the Baja Peninsula

In a previous article, some of the best Northern Baja California Fishing locations were listed, in this article we continue our Fishermen's Road trip, all the way down to the southernmost tip of Mexico's Baja Peninsula.

Mulegé

Mulegé, also known as Heroica Mulegé, sits at the mouth of the Río de Santa Rosalía, on the Sea of Cortez. Driving to Mulegé by car from the U.S. border at San Diego should not take more than 12 hours. The economy of the small desert oasis town once depended largely on fishing and farming, but today tourism has become its major income source. The region is famous for its fishing opportunities, with anglers regularly pulling in many sorts of fish including: Grouper, Sea Bass, Pargo, Yellowfin Tuna, Snapper, Roosterfish Mahi-mahi, Marlin, Sailfish, Triggerfish, and Wahoo.

Loreto

Loreto founded in 1697 by Jesuit missionaries, was the first Spanish settlement on the Baja California Peninsula. To drive your own vehicle to Loreto from the U.S. border usually takes just over 13 hours. Loreto is known for its excellent sport fishing, with many species often being hooked including: Mahi-mahi, Yellowtail, Snapper, Sea Bass, Sierra Mackerel, Roosterfish, Grouper,Marlin, Surface Bonita, Skipjack, and Pacific Sailfish.

Puerto San Carlos

Puerto San Carlos is a little fishing town located on the shore of Bahia Magdelena, on the western coast of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. Driving there from the U.S. border, will take approximately 16 hours. The bay is the largest wetland ecosystem on the west coast of Baja California. In addition to being a great place to observe gray whales, Magdalena Bay is also an excellent place to go fishing for: Sailfish, Mahi-mahi, Roosterfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Sea Bass, Halibut, Yellowtail, Sierra Mackerel, Snapper, Corvina, and Wahoo.

La Paz

La Paz, the capital of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, is located on the Bay of La Paz, along the southeast shoreline of the Baja Peninsula, and adjacent to the Sea of Cortez. Getting to La Paz from the U.S. border, by car, will take over 17 hours of driving time. Some of the fish that you may be able to catch in the waters around La Paz, include: Snapper, Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi-mahi, Yellowtail, Grouper, Roosterfish, Wahoo, Marlin, and Pargo.

Eastcape

Mexico's Eastcape stretches from Los Barilles to Punta Pescadero, and is notable because its fishing area lies relatively close to shore. Getting to the Eastcape by car will typically take approximately 19 hours. There are many different species of fish that can be hooked in the waters along the Eastcape, including: Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Mahi-mahi, Yellowfin Tuna, Roosterfish, Snapper, Sierra Mackerel, Pargo, Wahoo, Sea Bass, and Sailfish.

San Jose del Cabo

San Jose del Cabo is known for its Spanish colonial architecture and for its rather relaxed atmosphere, as compared to its fun loving sister city, Cabo San Lucas. Getting from the U.S. border all the way down to San Jose Del Cabo by car requires approximately 20 hours of driving time. Fishing the waters off of San Jose del Cabo may yield catches of many different species of fish, including: Striped Marlin, Sailfish, Roosterfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Grouper, Snapper, Mackerel, Barracuda, Mahi-mahi, and Bonito.

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas, located at the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula, has become a popular spa resort and vacation destination for tourist from all over the world. Drive time from the U.S. border at San Diego, California, all the way down to Cabo San Lucas should only take no more than 20 ½ hours. Cabo San Lucas is also where you will find the the notable natural rock formation, El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, which is also often referred to as Lands End. The waters near Cabo San Lucas have yielded many catches of Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin, Sail fish, Mahi-mahi, Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna, Roosterfish, Grouper and Snapper.

The Entire Baja Peninsula is in the Mexico Free Zone

Baja California Norte and Baja California Sur, are both located inside Mexico's "Zona Libre" (Hassle Free Zone). A vehicle permit for travel in Mexico is not required while you are driving inside the free zone.

If you plan on getting to your Baja fishing destinations using your automobile, pickup, sport utility, cycle, motor home, or travel trailer, you'll need to purchase a Mexican auto insurance policy.