San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

I'm going back to Cabo the 1st week of September... On an earlier post I asked questions and received great replies about surf fishing the Cortez side of Cabo/SJDC (viewtopic.php?t=1320 )... Well, I skunked... This time we're staying at a resort on the Pacific side (Pueblo Bonito Pacífica) .. Again, I only plan on fishing for a couple of hours in the morning, right in front of the resort... I got a new travel rod https://www.tackleworld.com/products/ma ... 65JklEND_w .... To pair up with the Shimano Vanford 5000... I'll probably stick with lures I have now, unless I stumble on some bait of some sort.. This is the assortment of lures I'll be taking..
Any suggestions?
Butch

I’m bewildered. Ii have seen posts from you, you seem to be able to catch fish around the San Diego area.. You skunked, surf fishing in Cabo? I mean I have had 50 Roosterfish at my feet in the Surf just South of the Harbor. One time I got 6 Pacific Black Snook before Breakfast.i dragged them into the Office and they made me breakfast and unlimited cocktails. I could go on… I think you must have had a huge water temperature change, maybe you started well after dawn, or stayed in one spot casting your heart out. I walk, a long ways, sometimes back and forth in the deepest sand I ever seen. My legs burn. I’m watching the birds, the bait in the face of the waves, the eddys in the Surfline that always hold fish. I use a ten foot rod and 20 pound test with a large spool reel for distance. In the 70s I threw Tady Iron Jigs because they cast a long ways, Later, after fishing Silverwood for Stripers I the 90s I creamed the Surf Fish with Cordell Pencil Poppers. Then I found some large Striper size Kastmasters that laid waste to the local Sierra population. My best advice is leave your gear at home and hire one of the Surf Fishing guides that you can reach thru Minerva’s Tackle. One trip with Jeff(or whoever has replaced him) will set you straight for the rest of your life. These trips to Cabo aren’t cheap anymore, why half ass it when for a few bucks you can take advantage of years of experience. After the first trip just rent an appropriate Setup and keep fishing. You probably don’t need to buy a 10 foot one piece spinning rod and quality reel that can handle the fish you might tangle with. I happened to have some from chasing Stripers up North, and they never use to charge us $75+ dollars to bring my 10 foot rod tube on the plane. PS- 2 piece rods snap like toothpicks if you hook a Snook or Roosterfish of any size. Cabo is the End of the Earth, big time game fishing. You really can’t get away with inferior gear.

The metal jigs that are used off San Diego party boats don't work that well in Cabo or East Cape area, not sure why. I wouldn't be surprised if the same lures that work well for surf fishing here don't work as well there. I 100% agree with Bendo's advice to get a guide, will be a fraction of the cost of the trip and you will know what to do the next time. I have always done well with a guide, regardless of where in the US or world I have been. The best techniques definitely vary from one area to another.

There's lots of tackle shops in the area, they will be glad to sell you stuff that works and provide some advice. But I would still go with a guide 1st.

If I could not get a guide, I would be bringing something like Gulp! soft baits for use on a Carolina rig and Lucky Craft lures. Or buy locally from a tackle shop. Fish in Baja love Rapalas or similar knockoffs too. Years ago, I used to go to East Cape about once a year to fish from pangas and caught gobs of fish trolling trout pattern deep diving Rebel lures from the $1 bargain bin. Fish just went nuts for them, even after most of the paint was scratched off. Did it match the hatch? No, but didn't matter.

I know I’m not as mobile as I used to be, and I think that is a requisite of Cabo surf fishing… I can walk the beach, but no running to chase bait balls or, boils or breaking fish… I don’t know if I’m a suitable candidate for a guide either because of the same reason… I don’t want to hold up a guide and his other customers, because I can’t keep up with them.. This isn’t a fishing trip, just a vacation for me and my wife… BUT, if I’m near water, I AM fishing some… I was planning of only fishing a couple of hours at daybreak, right in front of the resort… I know a guy that has done the same thing at the same resort twice.. Once he did pretty well, the second trip he skunked.. Unfortunately, the second time was like my trip, the 1st of September.. I don’t know how the surf fishing is on the Pacific side of Cabo in September. anyone know? Thanks for the suggestions guys, and keep it up…
Butch

Most guides take one customer and whomever guests that customer brings (if any). So don't worry about other customers. And the guide just wants to see you catch fish, he will work with you to do that. Surf fishermen do not usually run up and down the shore so you won't need to do more than a leisurely walk.

September is a great time to be there. I’ve fished outside the breakers casting into the surf and have done well. Never got to fish from the sand down there

The alternative is to go fish the Harbor for Jacks. They eat smaller Spoons and 4-5 inch JerkBaits. The extreme West end of the Harbor has a wharf-like structure.there are usually kids there that will want every fish you catch. Several years ago I passed out a dozen rods and reels to them. Hopefully they caught more fish than their handlines. Best fishing is after dark under the dock lights. Most docks have keyed entrys but you can usually ask somebody at the gate if you can fish. Many will gladly let you. 1/4 oz. Swimbaits on 15 pound braid will get you Snook, Cabrilla, and Triggerfish. If you hook a Jack in tight quarters….good luck, they get landed once in a while. Note: Snook, Triggerfish, and Cabrilla are a valuable commodity. You can trade them at any local restaurant for free dinner or pay them to prepare it for you unless you have several, then it’s free too.

I have been in touch with guide Wesley Brough about using his services, but haven’t finished our discussions… I primarily want to just fish for a couple of early morning hours every day.. Like I said, it’s not a fishing trip, but I would like to maybe get a couple of fish off of my bucket list…
Butch

Midnightpass wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 1:56 pm I have been in touch with guide Wesley Brough about using his services, but haven’t finished our discussions… I primarily want to just fish for a couple of early morning hours every day.. Like I said, it’s not a fishing trip, but I would like to maybe get a couple of fish off of my bucket list…
Butch

If you fish with Wesley Brough, I'd love to hear/read about it!

Mike M wrote: Thu Jun 19, 2025 12:07 pm

Midnightpass wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 1:56 pm
I have been in touch with guide Wesley Brough about using his services, but haven’t finished our discussions… I primarily want to just fish for a couple of early morning hours every day.. Like I said, it’s not a fishing trip, but I would like to maybe get a couple of fish off of my bucket list…
Butch

If you fish with Wesley Brough, I'd love to hear/read about it!

If I use him or not, you’ll hear about it Mike. ….
Butch

Who don’t like Cabo Fish stories! Go fish with the Guide. Learn a few things, catch a few Surf Fish, get some pictures, a Guide is your own personal photographer. Up at 4:30, Fishing before dawn, slam a few exotics and back for one of the fantastic Breakfasts at your Hotel. Smile stuck on your face all day. Post the story.

Bendo wrote: Sat Jun 28, 2025 9:59 am Who don’t like Cabo Fish stories! Go fish with the Guide. Learn a few things, catch a few Surf Fish, get some pictures, a Guide is your own personal photographer. Up at 4:30, Fishing before dawn, slam a few exotics and back for one of the fantastic Breakfasts at your Hotel. Smile stuck on your face all day. Post the story.

Still debating it… One way or the other, I’m getting my line wet..
Butch

It's a ways off, but there's plenty to enjoy before then, I'm sure. However, have a good and safe trip, Butch.

Everydog wrote: Sat Jun 28, 2025 9:45 pm It's a ways off, but there's plenty to enjoy before then, I'm sure. However, have a good and safe trip, Butch.

You are correct... And, thank you...
Butch

I would stop by Jansen inshore tackle. Hes got two locations in Cabo one in San Lucas and one in San Jose. Super friendly and knowledgeable guy that will help you out. His "cabo killer" lure, very similar to a roberts plug is a local favorite down there for the roosters and jacks.

Roncador wrote: Sun Jun 29, 2025 6:54 pm I would stop by Jansen inshore tackle. Hes got two locations in Cabo one in San Lucas and one in San Jose. Super friendly and knowledgeable guy that will help you out. His "cabo killer" lure, very similar to a roberts plug is a local favorite down there for the roosters and jacks.

Thanks... I won't have a car while there, but I may still do that... The 3rd lure from the right, in my above pic is his "Cabo Killer" lure... You can buy them here in the states...
Butch

https://www.fishandsave.com/products/ja ... dDq-QqAX9n

Butch, I noticed the Johnson silver minnow in your lure lineup. Please share your thoughts on using that at Cabo and elsewhere, locally?

I haven't used the Johnson lure in Cabo, but have many times in the Caribbean... I have caught a bunch of reef dwellers (snapper,grunts small jacks etc), a couple large trigger fish, maybe 4-5 bonefish, and a couple of tarpon (Hooked but not landed, and huge tilapia in St. Martin salt ponds)...
The lure is great on shallow reefs and grass flats, because the are almost completely weedless and snag free...
Butch

Neat stuff , Butch! Thanks for the photos and accountings of those catches!