What fishing techniques are used by the best Cabo fishing charter crews?

January 19, 2026

Fishing in Cabo

What fishing techniques are used by the best Cabo fishing charter crews?

When anglers book a trip in Cabo San Lucas, they often imagine big fish exploding behind the boat or a marlin lighting up the wake. What many guests don’t realize is that those moments are the result of carefully chosen fishing techniques, adapted hour by hour based on conditions, species behavior, and the skill level of the people onboard.

So when people ask what fishing techniques are used by the best Cabo fishing charter crews, they are really asking how experienced crews consistently put guests in the right place, at the right time, with the right setup.

At Fishing Cabo San Lucas, fishing techniques are not one-size-fits-all. Crews rotate through multiple proven methods—sometimes within the same day—using professional-grade gear and a wide variety of rod sizes to match both the species and the client. This flexibility is what separates average charters from elite ones in Cabo San Lucas.

Why technique matters more than luck in Cabo fishing

Cabo is one of the most productive fishing destinations in the world, but fish are still wild, migratory, and influenced by water temperature, current, bait presence, and pressure. Simply dragging lures behind a boat is rarely enough.

The bestCabo fishing charter crews understand that technique selection is dynamic. A productive morning bite may shut off by noon, requiring a complete change in approach. Experienced crews read these changes and respond quickly.

Drifting with live bait as a core Cabo fishing technique

One of the most effective techniques used in Cabo San Lucas is drifting with live bait, especially when targeting marlin, sailfish, tuna, and large dorado.

This method involves:

Locating productive water or bait schools
Setting the boat into a controlled drift
Presenting live bait naturally in the water column

At Fishing Cabo San Lucas, crews often use weighted live bait rigs to control depth, allowing baits to stay in the strike zone longer.

Why weighted live bait works so well in Cabo waters

Many pelagic fish feed below the surface, especially during bright conditions. Adding weight allows live bait to:

Swim naturally at depth
Avoid surface disturbance
Stay visible to deeper fish

This technique is especially effective during slower bite periods when fish are present but reluctant to strike surface offerings.

Trolling with dead bait and why it remains effective

Despite advances in lures and electronics, trolling with dead bait remains a staple technique for the best Cabo fishing charter crews.

Dead bait trolling allows:

Consistent speed control
Wide coverage of water
Presentation of natural scent and profile

This method is often used when searching for fish or when live bait availability is limited.

Using dredges to raise fish in Cabo fishing

One of the most advanced and visually exciting techniques used in Cabo is trolling with dredges. These are artificial bait schools designed to attract predatory fish into the spread.

At Fishing Cabo San Lucas, crews commonly use dredges from:

Squid Nation
Meldorado
Rip N Hoo

These dredges simulate large schools of squid or baitfish, triggering curiosity and aggression from marlin and tuna.

Why dredges increase marlin encounters in Cabo

Marlin are visual predators. Dredges:

Create the illusion of abundant food
Pull fish up from depth
Hold fish in the spread longer

Once a fish is raised, pitch baits or lures are deployed to trigger the strike.

Front bow bait casting for raised fish

When a fish is teased into the spread using dredges or teasers, crews often transition to front bow bait casting.

This technique involves:

Removing teasers at the right moment
Casting a bait directly to the fish
Allowing a natural presentation

This method requires timing, coordination, and experience—skills that top Cabo fishing crews develop over years.

Kite fishing and its role in modern Cabo fishing charters

Kite fishing has become increasingly popular for targeting tuna and billfish in Cabo San Lucas. This technique suspends baits on the surface, creating a realistic fleeing motion.

Advantages of kite fishing include:

Maximum visibility
Natural surface presentation
Reduced line drag

At Fishing Cabo San Lucas, kite fishing is used when conditions allow and when targeting species known to feed aggressively on the surface.

Why tuna respond well to kite fishing in Cabo

Yellowfin tuna often key in on surface disturbances. Kite fishing keeps baits:

Skipping naturally
Clearly visible
Separated from boat noise

This often triggers explosive surface strikes.

Cedar plugs as a proven tuna technique

For tuna fishing, especially when searching wide areas, cedar plugs remain one of the most reliable tools in Cabo.

Cedar plugs work because:

They mimic injured baitfish
The wood absorbs scent
They track straight at high speeds

Crews at Fishing Cabo San Lucas regularly deploy cedar plugs when covering ground or when tuna are scattered.

Planers for targeting wahoo in Cabo San Lucas

Wahoo are fast, aggressive, and often hold deeper in the water column. One of the best ways to reach them is with planers.

Planers allow:

Deep presentation at trolling speed
High-speed lure deployment
Precise depth control

This technique is especially effective during wahoo season when fish are holding below surface bait.

Matching techniques to species in Cabo fishing

The best Cabo fishing charter crews don’t fish blindly. Each species requires a different approach:

Marlin respond well to teasers, dredges, and pitch baits
Tuna often require cedar plugs, live bait, or kites
Dorado are aggressive and respond to trolling and casting
Wahoo demand speed and depth

Technique selection is intentional—not random.

Why rod selection matters in Cabo fishing techniques

Technique is only as good as the gear supporting it. At Fishing Cabo San Lucas, crews carry a wide variety of rod sizes to match:

Species size
Fighting style
Guest experience level

This ensures both effectiveness and comfort.

Lighter rods for casting and live bait techniques

Lighter rods are used for:

Pitch baiting
Casting to raised fish
Smaller tuna or dorado

These rods allow guests to feel the fight without becoming overwhelmed.

Heavy tackle for big game Cabo fishing

Heavy rods are reserved for:

Large marlin
Big tuna
Deep planer fishing

Using the correct rod prevents break-offs and reduces fight time, which is better for both fish and angler.

Adjusting techniques for families and beginners

Not every guest is an experienced angler. The best Cabo fishing charter crews adjust techniques to:

Reduce fatigue
Increase hookup success
Keep kids engaged

This flexibility is part of professional service.

Reading conditions and switching techniques mid-trip

Elite crews constantly evaluate:

Water color
Current lines
Bait presence
Bird activity

When conditions change, techniques change. This adaptability is critical in Cabo fishing.

Why patience and timing matter in Cabo fishing techniques

Some techniques require patience. Others require speed. Knowing when to wait and when to act separates great crews from average ones.

Team coordination and technique execution

Advanced techniques like dredging and kite fishing require seamless teamwork between:

Captain
Deckhands
Anglers

This coordination comes from experience and repetition.

Why the best Cabo fishing charter crews don’t rely on one method

Fishing success in Cabo comes from versatility. Crews who rely on a single technique often struggle when conditions shift.

At Fishing Cabo San Lucas, versatility is built into every trip.

Ethical fishing and technique selection

Responsible crews choose techniques that:

Reduce fight time
Improve release survival
Respect local regulations

Ethics and success go hand in hand.

How guests benefit from professional fishing techniques

Guests benefit through:

Higher hookup rates
Safer fights
More engaging experiences
Better learning opportunities

Technique knowledge elevates the entire day.

Why advanced techniques lead to better memories

Watching a marlin rise on a dredge or seeing a tuna explode on a kite bait creates unforgettable moments. These techniques turn fishing into an experience.