Cabo fishing feels like a bucket list moment. On this private 31ft Bertram ride out from Centro, I like that you get the comforts of a fully loaded boat plus fresh, practical gear, and that Paulo and crew focus on what you want to catch instead of doing the same routine all day. My favorite part is how the trip mixes big-picture sights, like the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, with the hands-on search for fish. The main thing to plan for: the base price does not include your fishing license or live bait, and you may run into extra on-the-water charges.

You start early and it pays off. Going out far enough to watch the morning light change over the water also makes the experience feel special before you even drop a line, and the crew works hard to try different rigs, lures, and areas until the day clicks. If you’re hoping for a charter where you can sell or swap the fish later for a refund, this setup may not work that way, so set expectations early.

Key Things That Make This Cabo Charter Worth Your Time

• Private for up to 6: you’re not sharing the boat with strangers.
• Comfort on the water: a Bertram with bathroom, bunk beds, and dining tables so the boat feels usable, not cramped.
• A real plan and a flexible plan: you go for the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, then decide where to fish based on conditions.
• Gear included: the boat runs with all new fishing equipment (you bring the hope).
• Targets you can name: mahi-mahi, marlin, tuna, wahoo, roosterfish, and more.
• Onboard basics: bottled water is provided to keep you cool and hydrated.

Entering the Day on a 31ft Bertram From O Dock 2

This is a true charter-style morning. You meet at O Dock 2 in Centro (23450 Cabo San Lucas) and the activity ends back at the same spot, so you’re not stuck figuring out logistics when you’re tired and salty.

The boat is a 31ft Bertram that’s set up for fishing with a bathroom, bunk beds, dining tables, and new fishing equipment. That matters more than you might think. When you’re out for roughly 5 hours, you want a boat that lets you move around, grab a drink, and keep things organized instead of turning the day into a tight squeeze.

Group size is also a quality-of-life factor. This is a private booking for up to 6 people, which usually means you’ll get more attention from the captain and crew while you’re switching lures, changing tactics, or simply asking questions.

The Arch Stop: More Than a Photo Break

The day starts with a focused sightseeing stop: the Arch of Cabo San Lucas. You head out and, en route, you also stop to pick up live bait before you press on toward the area where fish are active.

That Arch moment is a good reset. You get that iconic Cabo view before the pressure of catching anything kicks in. Even if you’ve seen pictures before, seeing it from the water hits different because you get the scale and the shape of the rocks in motion, not as a flat postcard.

One drawback: since the goal is fishing, you’re not turning this into a long cruise where you drift at a scenic pace. It’s efficient. If you want hours of pure sightseeing, this is a fishing-first experience.

How Your Fishing Game Plan Gets Built (Mahi, Marlin, Tuna, More)

Once you’re moving past the Arch stop, the day turns into a decision-making process. The crew typically chooses where to fish based on conditions, and they’ll also match the day to your bucket list.

The targets you can aim for include mahi-mahi, marlin, tunas, wahoo, roosters, and other species you may find along the way. That mix is exactly why this kind of charter is satisfying: you’re not betting everything on one thing.

From the feedback I pulled from real trips, the crew actively works the problem. They’re not just hoping the first spot pays off. They try different areas and different approaches and keep changing rigs until something bites. One highlight from a father-and-son trip was a successful push for dorado and marlin, with additional catches like giant mackerel and skipjack showing up too.

You should also know that you’ll be fishing in the Pacific Ocean, so you’re not just doing a casual shoreline style experience. This is where the day feels big: the boat ride, the open water, and the sense that the crew is chasing real opportunity rather than following a rigid script.

What’s on the Boat: Comfort, Bathroom, and Bottle-Water Relief

What you’re getting here is a working fishing platform that’s also comfortable enough to hang out on between actions. The boat is “fully loaded,” and that includes practical basics like a bathroom, bunk beds, and dining tables.

Those dining tables are a quiet win. They make it easier to keep tackle and personal items from turning into a mess on your lap. Bunk beds also help if you’re the type who likes to rest in short bursts while the captain maneuvers.

And yes, bottled water is included. When you’re out in the sun and early enough that you might not have eaten much, having water already handled lets you focus on fishing instead of scanning for a convenience store the second you step off the boat.

The Costs Nobody Think About Until They Are At the Dock

The headline price is $799 per group (up to 6), and that can be good value if you compare it to the total experience cost of chartering effectively for a small group. But you should budget for the extras that make up the real on-the-water total.

Here’s what isn’t included:

• Fishing licenses
• Live bait

And from real trip experiences, you may also see common additional charges like dock fees to board the boat, live bait costs on top of what you paid for the charter, and fish-related processing costs if you keep what you catch. One important detail: you might not be able to sell off fish or get a discount later for what you don’t take, and in at least one case the captain kept the fish you didn’t take.

Also, if you’re planning to have fish handled for you, don’t assume it’s free. Some places include it; some charge. The safe move is to ask what happens to your catch and what the handling/cutting costs are before the trip gets underway.

If you’re the group organizer, do the math early. With up to 6 people, small per-person add-ons can add up fast.

What the Crew Approach Feels Like at Sea

This trip works best when you treat it like a conversation. The crew will ask what you’re hoping to catch, and they’ll adjust their efforts based on your goals.

In one standout account, the anglers named dorado and marlin, and they came back with those plus additional species. That kind of outcome usually comes from two things: the crew’s willingness to search and the anglers’ willingness to stay flexible with lures and tactics.

Communication also matters. Paulo is specifically mentioned for being gracious and thoughtful, including arranging a ride from a nearby hotel area near the marina so the group didn’t have to search. The same note included that the ride was not provided back after the trip, which is a reminder to plan your return on your own.

So if you’re staying around the marina and want an easy start, it can be worth confirming transportation details directly.

Timing and the Why Behind a 5-Hour Charter

Five hours is a sweet spot for people who want serious fishing time without burning the entire day. You’re out long enough to get into a rhythm—bait, search, re-position, and then the moments when the gear sings.

It’s also enough time for the day to deliver a mix of outcomes. Even when the main target doesn’t show up immediately, the crew can often keep working the conditions. One trip described seeing the sunrise, chatting on the ride out, and then coming home happy with fresh catch—exactly the kind of payoff you’re hoping for.

Weather is a real factor here. The experience requires good weather, so plan around the idea that the day could change. If it gets canceled due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Who Should Book This Cabo Fishing Trip

This charter fits best if you want:

• A private small-group fishing experience (up to 6).
• A serious fishing morning with real potential for variety: mahi-mahi, marlin, tuna, wahoo, roosters, and more.
• A day that includes a Cabo icon stop at the Arch of Cabo San Lucas rather than just straight fishing with zero scenery.

You’ll likely enjoy it most if you’re booking with someone who likes fishing but also appreciates the fun of being out on open water early, watching the landscape wake up.

It may not be the right choice if your main goal is minimizing every extra cost or if you need fish handling to be included by default. With licenses, live bait, and possible dock and processing costs, the final bill is rarely just the sticker price.

Should You Book Pacific Time Sport Fishing in Cabo San Lucas?

I think you should book if you’re planning a Cabo trip around fishing and you’re okay handling the real-world add-ons like licenses and live bait. The included comforts—especially the boat setup and bottled water—make the hours feel easier, and the crew’s focus on what you want to catch is a big part of why people come back impressed.

Hold off if you’re trying to keep the total cost tightly capped or if you’re counting on fish selling or free processing. Ask the crew what happens with your catch, what fees show up on top, and how fish handling is priced. Once you have that picture, this charter can be a strong value way to target a bucket list morning in Cabo.

FAQ

What kind of boat is used for Pacific Time Sport Fishing in Cabo San Lucas?

You’ll go out on a 31ft Bertram that’s fully loaded with a bathroom, bunk beds, dining tables, and new fishing equipment.

How long is the fishing trip?

The trip is about 5 hours.

What’s included in the tour price?

The tour includes bottled water.

What costs are not included?

Fishing licenses and live bait are not included.

Where do we meet, and where does the trip end?

You start at O Dock 2, Centro, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

What happens if weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.