Sportfishing Charters in Cabo San Lucas with Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing

Cabo fishing can turn quiet one hour and electric the next. Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing takes you out from the marina at 6:00 a.m., with captains such as Ismael and Andy working the grounds around Cabo San Lucas for marlin, mahi mahi, tuna, bonito, triggerfish, and other catches. The charter is private, so your group does not share the boat with strangers.

I like the small four-person format, which gives your captain room to focus on your group rather than run a floating bus. I also like that beginners get rods, reels, tackle, and hands-on instruction, while experienced anglers can ask to target a certain species, including marlin.

The main caution is simple: fishing is never guaranteed. You also pay extra for the fishing license, live bait, and marina entrance fee, and a few past outings raised concerns about water, boat assignments, and catch handling. Read the inclusions carefully and confirm the exact boat before you go.

Key points to know before booking

• Early 6:00 a.m. departure: You leave from Kellyfish on Boulevard Paseo de la Marina and return there after about eight hours.
• Private groups of up to four: The boats Kellyfish, Pacific Time, and Fish Hunter Jr. are used for small-party charters.
• Experienced captains: Ismael, Andy, Miguel, Daniel, Luis, and Mateo are named in the available trip information.
• Species change with conditions: Marlin, mahi mahi, tuna, bonito, triggerfish, and shark catches have all been reported, but no species is promised.
• Three extra charges: A fishing license costs $22 per person, live bait costs $40 per booking in cash, and the marina dock fee is $1 per person.
• El Arco is part of the route: The famous arch at Land’s End gives you a memorable Cabo view while you are on the water.

A small Cabo charter with a serious fishing focus

Kellyfish is best understood as a working fishing trip, not a sightseeing cruise with a few rods added for decoration. You meet at the Cabo San Lucas marina before sunrise, climb aboard, and head toward the grounds your captain believes offer the best chance that day.

The private setup matters. Four people is the stated maximum, and that makes this a sensible choice for a family, two couples, or a small group of friends. You get more space than on a large shared boat, and the captain can adjust the pace to your group.

That does not mean the boat will feel spacious in every situation. One complaint described a boat as too small, with a passenger sitting on the floor. The operator replied that seating for four is provided and does not require sitting on the floor. Since Kellyfish works with three boats, I would confirm which vessel you are receiving and where the seating is before paying.

The boats are listed as Kellyfish, Pacific Time, and Fish Hunter Jr. Some bookings have also involved a different boat or partner crew when the preferred boat was unavailable. That is not automatically a problem, but you should ask directly: Which boat is assigned, and who will captain it?

Why the 6:00 a.m. start is worth the effort

A 6:00 a.m. meeting time is early, especially if you are staying away from the marina. But it gives you a full morning and day on the water, with about eight hours available for the charter. Fishing conditions can change, and the crew may need time to search rather than stop at one fixed spot.

The schedule also leaves room for a captain to change lures, move between areas, or keep working after a slow start. Ismael has been praised for changing lures based on the area and staying with the effort when fishing was poor across the marina.

You should eat something before leaving and bring practical sun protection, though the supplied information confirms only bottled water as an inclusion. Do not assume that a full meal, snacks, or additional drinks are part of the charter. One past passenger said water was not provided, despite the description. That conflict makes it sensible to bring your own water and confirm the onboard supply the day before.

The long format is most useful if fishing is your main goal. If you want a quick ocean outing with guaranteed action, eight hours can feel long when the fish are not cooperating. If you enjoy the process, the open water, and the chance of a sudden strike, the time gives the crew a fair chance to find fish.

From the marina to El Arco

The listed route includes El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, the stone arch at Land’s End where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. Seeing the arch from the water is one of Cabo’s essential views, and it gives the outing a scenic reward even during a quiet fishing spell.

Do not mistake this for a dedicated El Arco sightseeing tour. The charter’s purpose is sportfishing, so the arch is part of the route rather than the central event. Your captain may pass near it or include it as the boat moves through the Cabo area, but the time spent there will be shaped by fishing conditions.

This is one reason I like the trip for people who want two things in one morning: a proper fishing attempt and a look at Cabo from offshore. It is less suitable if every member of your group wants a narrated sightseeing experience or a relaxed cruise.

The return is to the same marina meeting point. That keeps the logistics simple, though you are responsible for getting to the dock at the start.

What you may catch, and why luck still rules

The catch reports cover a wide range. Mahi mahi and marlin appear often in the successful outings, along with tuna, bonito, triggerfish, wahoo, and a released marlin or shark. One group reached the legal limit of mahi mahi and also caught tuna on a half-day trip. Another group caught and released a marlin and brought in two mahi mahi.

An almost seven-foot mako shark was also landed during one outing. That is a striking catch, but it should not set your expectation for an ordinary day. The same applies to stories of boats returning with many fish. Cabo has strong fishing seasons, and water temperature, color, current, and wind affect which species are available.

The operator’s response to a poor outing made the basic point clearly: even an experienced crew cannot make fish bite. That is not an excuse to overlook poor service, but it is an important part of judging a fishing charter fairly. You are paying for a boat, equipment, captain, and effort, not a guaranteed marlin.

If you have a target species, say so before departure. One experienced angler asked Ismael to fish strictly for marlin, even though it was not peak marlin season, and the captain honored that request. The group eventually caught a striped marlin after a slow day.

If your priority is simply catching something, tell the crew. They may choose areas or tackle suited to the fish that are active that day. If your priority is a trophy species, accept that the odds may be lower and the quiet stretches longer.

Captains who help beginners get involved

The strongest pattern in the feedback is the crew’s attitude. Ismael is repeatedly described as attentive, patient, professional, and determined to give people a chance. Andy is praised for helping first-time anglers, and Miguel, Daniel, Luis, and Mateo are also named as capable crew members.

That matters because fishing gear can feel confusing when a fish strikes. One group specifically wished the crew had explained how to operate the reel before a fish was on. I would ask for a short demonstration at the dock or as soon as you board. Learn how to hold the rod, work the reel, and respond when the captain gives instructions.

The crew appears to do more than simply steer the boat. They change lures, prepare the tackle, locate fish, and help passengers during a strike. Several successful outings involved first-time or beginner anglers, including a family with a six-year-old child.

Still, the child’s age alone does not tell you whether the trip will suit your family. The charter lasts about eight hours, begins early, and takes place on a moving boat. Ask Kellyfish about the specific boat and seating if you are bringing young children.

The English-language offering is useful for visitors who want instructions in English. One past complaint questioned whether an English-speaking guide was provided, so confirm this detail when booking if it is essential to your group.

Equipment, water, licenses, and bait

Fishing gear is included: rods, reels, and tackle. Bottled water is also listed as included. That keeps the basic price from becoming a complete equipment rental exercise, and beginners do not need to bring their own gear.

Three costs are separate:

• Fishing license: $22 per person, purchased at the dock before departure
• Live bait: $40 per booking, payable in cash only
• Marina Cabo San Lucas entrance fee: $1 per person

These charges are not large compared with the cost of a private boat, but they change the final total. The bait fee is especially worth noting because one passenger felt they paid for bait that was not used. Ask whether live bait is needed for your target species and whether the $40 charge applies regardless of use.

The fishing license is a required trip expense in the supplied information, not an optional souvenir. Budget for it before arriving so the dock process does not catch you by surprise.

The catch-handling stage deserves a little care. One successful group paid for filleting, vacuum packing, and freezing, then felt the fish was not fully returned and was not frozen as expected. I would count the fish, clarify who handles the catch, and confirm exactly what packing service you are paying for before handing it over.

Some outings turned the catch into a meal at a marina restaurant. A crew recommendation led one group to have a large wahoo fillet prepared several ways at Solomon’s Landing. That can be a fine way to finish the day, but restaurant preparation and fish processing are separate from the charter, so confirm the costs and arrangements yourself.

Value for a private half-day or full-day outing

The value depends on your group size and your expectations. A private boat for up to four can be a good deal when divided among family or friends, especially if you want control over the pace and target species. It is less attractive for a solo angler or a couple who mainly want a cheap look at Cabo from the water.

The available information describes full and half-day charters, while this experience is listed at about eight hours. Confirm which duration you are buying. A half-day may suit beginners, families, or anyone unsure how they will handle the sea. A full day makes more sense if you are pursuing marlin or want extra time to search.

The best value comes when you care about the fishing itself. The crew’s work can produce an excellent day even when the fish are scarce, as shown by accounts of captains continuing to search and adjust tackle. But no private charter is good value if your only measure is guaranteed fish in the cooler.

Remember to add the license, bait, and dock fee to the advertised charter cost. A mobile ticket and booking confirmation make the reservation process convenient, but they do not remove the need to settle the dock charges in person.

Boat assignment and communication matter

Kellyfish operates three named boats, and the company also works with several captains. That gives it flexibility when demand is high, but it can also create confusion. Two back-to-back outings produced different expectations for one party, including a change to another boat or company.

I would send a message before the trip and keep the answer. Ask for:

• The exact boat name
• The captain and deckhand names
• The confirmed duration
• Whether bottled water is onboard
• Whether live bait is required
• How the catch will be handled after landing

This is not needless fussiness. It prevents a mismatch between the small private charter you imagined and the boat that actually meets you. It also gives you a clear record if the details change.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The activity is near public transportation, though you still need to reach the stated marina meeting point at Boulevard Paseo de la Marina in Cabo San Lucas.

Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. That is helpful if your plans change, but it does not solve weather, fishing, or boat-assignment concerns on the day itself.

Who should book Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing

I would point this charter toward a small group that wants a real attempt at sportfishing rather than a polished resort activity. It suits experienced anglers who want to name a target, as well as beginners who want a captain to guide them through the basics.

Families can enjoy it, and a six-year-old has taken part successfully, but parents should think about the early start, the eight-hour length, and the boat layout. Couples who want a memorable shared challenge may also like the private format.

I would hesitate if you dislike uncertainty, need guaranteed English service, or expect every promised inclusion to be perfectly consistent. I would also choose a shorter outing if your group has never spent a full day on a fishing boat.

Should you book this Cabo fishing charter?

Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing is worth considering when you put the crew’s effort, the private boat, and the chance at serious fish ahead of guaranteed results. Ismael and the other named captains have earned strong praise for patience, tackle changes, species advice, and persistence. The best days include marlin, mahi mahi, tuna, or even a large shark, while slower days still offer Cabo views and a hard-working crew.

Book it if you can accept that fishing is fishing. Before you commit, confirm the boat, captain, water supply, duration, and extra charges in writing. Bring cash for the $40 live bait fee and budget $22 per person for licenses plus the $1 marina fee. With those details clear, Kellyfish can offer a focused, personal day on the water and a better shot at the kind of Cabo story you will still be telling at dinner.

FAQ

How long is the Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing experience?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours. Full-day and half-day charters are available, so confirm the exact duration when booking.

What time does the charter start?

The stated start time is 6:00 a.m. You meet at Kellyfish on Boulevard Paseo de la Marina in Cabo San Lucas.

How many people can join the private charter?

The boats comfortably accommodate up to four people per charter. Only your group participates in the private activity.

What fishing equipment is included?

Rods, reels, tackle, and bottled water are included in the stated trip details. Because one past passenger reported not receiving water, it is sensible to confirm the supply before departure.

What extra costs should I budget for?

You purchase a fishing license at the dock for $22 per person. Live bait costs $40 per booking and must be paid in cash, while the Marina Cabo San Lucas dock fee is $1 per person.

Does the trip include a stop at El Arco?

El Arco de Cabo San Lucas is listed as a stop on the route. The charter is focused on fishing, so the amount of time spent there may depend on the day’s fishing plan.