Fishing Los Cabos: Tuna, Tournaments, and Orcas

It’s another sun-splashed morning at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, and Toby Nunn of MarVida Sportfishing is back on the water — the same place, almost to the day, as when we spoke last year. “Not a bad view,” he laughs. “We’re spoiled — it’s the best day job in the world.”

A Banner Year on the Water

According to Toby, the 2025 fishing season in Cabo has been exceptional. “It came on a little later than last year,” he says, “but the numbers are really good. We’ve had tons of wahoo, sailfish, striped marlin, blue marlin, even some black marlin. The only thing lighter this year is Dorado.”

The spring and early summer brought one of the best tuna seasons in recent memory. “Tuna fishing was phenomenal — and they’re delicious,” Toby says. “At the end of a thousand-mile desert, good, clean protein is always appreciated.”

Orcas and “Turtle McNuggets”

One of the surprises this season has been the rare sighting of orcas near the coastline. “We literally saw them two days ago — about twenty miles up the coast near Rancho San Cristobal,” Toby explains. “That stretch is a major nesting area for Pacific Ridley turtles. When the turtles gather offshore, it’s like an all-you-can-eat drive-through for orcas and sharks — we call it ‘Turtle McNuggets.’”

The orcas also coincide with the mobula ray migration, a key food source for these apex predators. “You usually think of orcas in the Pacific Northwest, so seeing them down here, in our backyard, is incredible,” he says. “I’ll let the divers swim with them — I’ll watch from the boat.”

Whales All Year Long

While most visitors associate whales with Cabo’s winter months, Toby points out they’re actually here year-round. “December through February, you’ll see hundreds of humpbacks, working in little family pods — mom, dad, and baby — teaching the calves how to swim in these calm capes and inlets,” he explains. “But we also see gray whales, minke whales, and even blue whales. When a blue whale surfaces beside a 50-foot boat, it’s humbling — it’s like a living submarine.”

The World’s Most Accessible Fishery

Asked how Cabo ranks globally, Toby doesn’t hesitate. “Los Cabos is the most accessible and productive fishery on the planet,” he says. “You can be here from twenty-five major U.S. cities in under three hours. And it’s the only place in the world where you can catch billfish year-round — striped, blue, black, sailfish, and swordfish.”

Unlike other destinations where anglers must travel 80 to 100 miles offshore, in Cabo you can hook world-class fish within sight of Land’s End. “Yesterday we caught wahoo, two striped marlin, and a blue marlin without ever losing sight of the rocks,” Toby says. “It’s the ultimate fishing time machine — less time running, more time fishing.”

The Taste Test: Wahoo Wins

When it comes to eating, Toby doesn’t mince words. “I think Wahoo is the greatest fish in the ocean,” he grins. “Ugly fish are delicious fish — sea bass, grouper, snapper — not good-looking, but amazing to eat.”

He also praises yellowfin tuna, calling it “sashimi-grade protein,” and Dorado (known locally as Mahi Mahi). “People hear ‘dolphin fish’ and think of Flipper, but Dorado just means ‘gold’ in Spanish — and they really do glow gold in the water.”

Tournament Season: The Big Money Weeks

October and November are Cabo’s tournament months, drawing anglers from around the world. The lineup includes the Pelagic Triple Crown, Bisbee’s East Cape, Los Cabos Billfish, and the two heavyweights:

• Los Cabos Offshore (the “Little Bisbee”)

• Bisbee’s Black & Blue (the “Big Bisbee”)

“These tournaments bring in millions,” Toby explains. “If you enter all the jackpots and land a qualifying fish, you can win anywhere from one to four million dollars in the Little Bisbee, and even more in the Black & Blue.”

Last year, the locals stole the show. “A small 33-foot Cabo Express called What a Journey took the Little Bisbee,” Toby recalls. “And another local center console, Prudhoe, won the Black & Blue. It was awesome — big money staying in Cabo and the community celebrating together.”

Why Everyone Should Try Fishing in Cabo

Toby’s final message is simple: “Even if you’ve never fished before, come out for a half-day trip. You’ll see whales, turtles, sea lions — maybe even orcas. You don’t have to go far or spend big money. Six hours here can give you more action than twelve anywhere else.”

He adds, “Time is everyone’s most valuable asset. Here in Cabo, your time is efficiently and beautifully spent.”

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