Mexico Offshore Fishing — Dorado & Tuna
The Short Version
Mexico’s offshore Pacific fishery produces dorado and yellowfin tuna across most of the calendar year, on boats with no crowds and fish close enough to shore that you’re back for lunch if you want to be. We run two trips that target these species — one along the remote Costa Grande coast south of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, one out of Cabo San Lucas into the Sea of Cortez and up the Pacific side of Baja — and both are fully guided.
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The Two Fisheries
Costa Grande — Remote Pacific Coast
This is the trip that surprises people. You don’t run 30 miles offshore. The Sierra Madre Mountains follow the Costa Grande coast and then drop straight into the ocean, creating deep water within a mile or two of the beach. That bottom structure holds bait year-round, and the bait holds pelagics. You fish with the mountains behind you and open Pacific in front.
Because this stretch of coastline sits roughly 50 nautical miles south of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, the larger charter fleets from those towns don’t make the run regularly. Most days you will not see another boat. That’s not a marketing line — it’s geography.
The lodge sits in a small fishing village. There are no strip malls here. The beach is clean, the people are local, and the focus is fishing. This area is ranked #2 in the world for sailfishing by Sport Fishing Magazine, though sailfish are covered elsewhere on our site. For this page, the relevant species are dorado and yellowfin tuna, both of which are present in these waters as part of the same offshore pattern.
September is hurricane season — we don’t recommend booking that month.
Cabo San Lucas — Sea of Cortez and Pacific Baja
Cabo fishes differently. You have a choice of going into the Sea of Cortez or working up the Pacific side of Baja, and your guide will recommend which based on season and current conditions. The operation runs multiple boats, so group size and comfort level aren’t a problem. Half-day and full-day options are both available.
Yellowfin tuna and dorado are consistent targets here year-round, though the mix shifts by season. Inshore species — roosterfish, snapper, grouper, jack crevalle — round out the options for those who want variety across a multi-day trip. If you want to keep your catch, you can. If you prefer to release, that’s fine too.
For a deeper look at this destination, see Mexico: Cabo San Lucas Charter Fishing.
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Dorado and Yellowfin: What You’re Actually Chasing
Dorado (Mahi-Mahi)
Dorado are present in both fisheries across most months. They school around floating structure — weedlines, debris, birds — and when you find one, you typically find more. They hit fast and jump repeatedly. On conventional gear they’re a straightforward fight; on the fly they’re a serious target and our Costa Grande guides have set up clients for them on the fly rod, including a client who landed a 200-pound sailfish on the fly on the same type of trip.
Dorado in good years can run large — bull mahi in the 30- to 50-pound range are realistic, not guaranteed. Most days the action involves fish in the 10- to 25-pound range. They’re good eating, and at both operations you’re welcome to keep them.
Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin show up in both fisheries, with the Cabo operation offering offshore tuna as a consistent year-round possibility. These are not the small schoolies you catch at a kelp paddy — Mexico Pacific yellowfin can be large, and a 100-pound fish is a serious workout on stand-up gear. The fish don’t care how experienced you are. If you hook a big one, you work for it.
Chunking, live bait, and lures all produce. Fly fishing for yellowfin is possible but harder — they’re less reliably on the surface than dorado, and the gear requirements are heavier.
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What to Expect on the Water
Both trips run fully guided. Your captain and crew handle tackle, bait, rigging, and fish handling. You show up ready to fish.
A standard day at the Costa Grande lodge: you’re on the water in the morning, fishing in water close enough that you can see the mountains from the cockpit. The crew will troll, pitch baits to birds, or work weedlines depending on what’s showing. If you want to fly fish, tell us when you book — the guides will work with you, though as Evan Keene’s report notes, not every guide is equally comfortable with fly rods, and we’ll set you up with the right one.
At Cabo, you have more tactical flexibility — half-day options if you want to mix fishing with other activities, full days if you’re there to fish seriously, and the choice of inshore or offshore depending on what you want to target.
Physical demands for offshore fishing are generally low. You’re sitting or standing on a stable boat in relatively calm conditions most days. Seasickness is a real consideration for some people — the Pacific can run a swell, and if you’re prone to motion sickness, take medication the night before. This is not a trip that requires physical conditioning, but showing up dehydrated and hung over is a bad idea on a rocking boat in the Mexican sun.
Bring quality polarized sunglasses, sun protection from collar to wrist, and a hat with a full brim. The sun off the water at those latitudes is direct and relentless.
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Who This Trip Fits
This is a genuinely broad fishery. A few profiles that work well:
- First-time offshore anglers who want to catch fish, not just watch them. Dorado are aggressive and the action can be fast, which means newer anglers stay engaged.
- Families — both operations are rated easy to moderate in difficulty, the days are manageable in length, and the food and accommodations are comfortable. The Costa Grande lodge in particular has a relaxed pace.
- Serious anglers targeting large yellowfin or wanting to mix species across a week — marlin, sailfish, wahoo, roosterfish, and tuna are all available across the two destinations.
- Fly fishers who want to work dorado or sailfish on the long rod. The Costa Grande operation is fly-friendly; tell us upfront and we’ll confirm the guide situation before you book.
- Groups — Cabo runs multiple boats and can accommodate larger parties without splitting them across different operations.
What doesn’t work: if you’re expecting a luxury resort vacation with fishing as an afterthought, the Costa Grande lodge will disappoint you. It’s a fishing village. The infrastructure is simple, the vibe is local, and that’s the point. Cabo will be more comfortable for people who want amenities alongside their fishing.
For more on the Costa Grande fishery and lodge setup, see Mexico: Remote Offshore Fishing Lodge.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What months are best for dorado and yellowfin in Mexico?
Both species are present across most of the year at both destinations. The Costa Grande operation runs January through August and October through December — September is excluded due to hurricane risk. Cabo fishes year-round. Dorado tend to peak in warmer water months, typically late spring through fall. Yellowfin are more consistent year-round in Cabo’s waters. Your consultant can tell you where things stand for the specific dates you’re considering.
Can I bring my fly rod?
Yes, at the Costa Grande operation. The guides there have experience with fly fishers and will set up opportunities for dorado and sailfish. Evan Keene landed a 200-pound sailfish on the fly at this lodge in January 2024. At Cabo, the operation runs conventional gear — confirm with your consultant before packing the fly rod.
How far offshore do we fish?
At the Costa Grande, you’re often fishing within one to two miles of shore because the underwater topography drops off immediately — deep water is right there. At Cabo, runs vary depending on whether you’re working the Sea of Cortez or the Pacific side, and what species you’re targeting.
Can I keep the fish I catch?
Yes at both operations. You can also choose to release. If you’re keeping fish, the guides will handle cleaning. Check current Mexican fishing regulations with your consultant — rules around keeping species like tuna and dorado can change, and your guide will know what’s current.
Do I need to bring my own tackle?
No. Both operations are fully guided with gear provided. If you have specific tackle preferences or want to use your own rods, let us know when you book and we’ll confirm what makes sense. For fly fishing, you’ll want to bring your own outfit — heavy enough for the species you’re targeting, which for sailfish means a 12-weight minimum.
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Plan Your Trip
Both trips book out in advance during peak months. If you have specific dates in mind, the earlier you reach out, the better your options. Tell us which fishery interests you, who’s in your group, and whether you’re fishing conventional or fly, and we’ll match you to the right trip.
If you’re weighing one destination against the other, a short conversation usually clarifies it. The two fisheries fish differently, the lodges feel different, and the right answer depends on what you’re actually after.
Talk to a trip consultant to get started.
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