Fish of the Sea of Cortez
What bites in La Paz, and when
Jacques Cousteau called this the world's aquarium. Ten species make up most of our fishing, and the calendar below is the one our captains actually plan around.
Dorado (Mahi-Mahi)
Coryphaena hippurus
The neon showpiece of La Paz summer fishing — fast, acrobatic and outstanding on the table.
Yellowfin Tuna
Thunnus albacares
Pound for pound the hardest pull in the Sea of Cortez, and the reason many guests book the bigger boats.
Striped Marlin
Kajikia audax
The billfish that made Baja famous. We fish marlin catch-and-release, and the bite can be visual and unforgettable.
Blue Marlin
Makaira nigricans
The heavyweight of the Sea of Cortez — a true bucket-list fish, and strictly seasonal.
Sailfish
Istiophorus platypterus
Pure spectacle: raised sail, greyhounding jumps and a release photo you will keep forever.
Wahoo
Acanthocybium solandri
The fastest strike in the ocean and, many guests say, the best-eating fish we bring to the dock.
Yellowtail
Seriola lalandi
The winter and spring bruiser — dirty fighter, straight-down runs and superb sashimi.
Roosterfish
Nematistius pectoralis
Catch-and-release only, and the most visual bite in La Paz — you watch the comb slice the surface before it eats.
Amberjack
Seriola rivoliana
If you want your arms to hurt, this is the fish. Brutal, honest, straight-down power.
Pargo (Snapper)
Lutjanus spp.
Bright red, hard-pulling and the best fish tacos in Baja. A panga specialty.
Grouper & Cabrilla
Mycteroperca spp.
Reliable, delicious and the fish that keeps kids busy all morning.
Month by month
The whole calendar on one grid
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dorado (Mahi-Mahi) | ||||||||||||
| Yellowfin Tuna | ||||||||||||
| Striped Marlin | ||||||||||||
| Blue Marlin | ||||||||||||
| Sailfish | ||||||||||||
| Wahoo | ||||||||||||
| Yellowtail | ||||||||||||
| Roosterfish | ||||||||||||
| Amberjack | ||||||||||||
| Pargo (Snapper) | ||||||||||||
| Grouper & Cabrilla |