Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing (Our bigger boat!)

Cabo’s best fishing trips begin before most people have had coffee. Kellyfish Sportfishing gets you out at 6:00 am, when the marina is waking up and the water can feel wonderfully quiet. From there, you head toward the Arch of Cabo San Lucas and the fishing grounds, hoping for mahi mahi, roosterfish, marlin, bonito, or something with enough muscle to test your arms.

I like two things right away: this is a private charter, so only your group fishes together, and the crew supplies rods, reels, tackle, and an experienced bilingual captain. I also like the range of possible catches. Recent outings have included mahi mahi, striped marlin, roosterfish, white bonito, and even a large mako shark.

The main consideration is that fishing is fishing. You may get a quick bite, or you may spend long stretches watching lines and water. The advertised trip lasts about four hours, and you need to pay separately for the fishing license, live bait, food, and drinks.

Key points to know before booking

• Early 6:00 am departure: You get a full morning on the water and a better fit for cruise schedules.
• Private fishing boat: Your own group participates, rather than sharing the trip with strangers.
• Arch of Cabo San Lucas route: The famous rock formation adds a scenic Cabo moment before or during the fishing run.
• Bilingual crew: Captains such as Ismael and Orlando have been praised for keeping the mood friendly and helping people land fish.
• Possible big catches: Mahi mahi, roosterfish, striped marlin, bonito, and mako shark have all been part of past outings.
• Bring extra cash: The license and live bait cost extra, and food and drinks are not supplied.

Leaving Cabo Marina before sunrise

The meeting point is at Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 54 in Cabo San Lucas, near the marina in Centro. You meet there for the 6:00 am start and return to the same place when the fishing is finished.

That early hour matters. Cabo is a major fishing town, and the day’s heat can build quickly. A morning departure gives you cooler conditions and leaves the rest of your day free. If you are staying aboard a cruise ship, the timing may also work well. One group arrived on an overnight cruise from Los Angeles and made it back with plenty of time to spare, though you should still check your own ship’s all-aboard time carefully.

I would arrive ready to go, not ready to shop for supplies. Your rods, reels, and tackle are included, but the fishing license and live bait are not. One useful tip is to bring cash for those extras. Food and drinks are also your responsibility, so pack snacks and water unless you have arranged otherwise.

The boat is described as the company’s bigger boat, but no passenger capacity or exact vessel specifications are provided. Since this is a private activity, your group will have the boat experience to itself. That gives you more control over the pace and makes it easier for children, older family members, or first-time anglers to ask for help.

The Arch of Cabo San Lucas sets the scene

The listed sightseeing stop is the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, the pale rock formation at the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. It is one of Cabo’s signature views, and seeing it from the water gives you a different angle than a marina stroll or beach visit.

The Arch is not a separate land excursion with a long stop on shore. It is part of the boat route, so the time spent there is tied to the fishing plan and sea conditions. Think of it as a memorable opening scene rather than a full sightseeing tour.

The coast around Cabo also gives you a chance to watch for marine life. A morning account described whales breaching and dolphins playing during the trip. Those sightings are never guaranteed, but they add real value when the fish are taking their time. You get an outing that is about more than simply waiting for a line to move.

Fishing time: action, patience, and changing targets

Kellyfish presents the trip as a chance to chase fish in one of the world’s productive sportfishing areas. That sounds exciting, but you should understand what a four-hour charter really offers. The captain and mate manage the tackle and help place you in position, while you spend the bulk of the outing watching the lines and reacting when something bites.

The exact catch depends on season, water conditions, location, and luck. Past catches have included:

• White bonito, also described as albacore in one account
• Roosterfish
• Mahi mahi
• Striped marlin
• Mako shark

Roosterfish are especially appealing for anglers who want a hard fight close to shore. One couple caught several and lost a few, which is a fair picture of the sport. Losing a fish is part of the day, even when the crew does everything right.

Mahi mahi can provide a bright, memorable catch, and one outing produced a trophy-sized fish alongside a large mako shark. Another group had a double hookup of striped marlin with Captain Orlando. Those stories show the range of this fishery, but they should not be read as a promise of a trophy on every departure.

I appreciate that the crew seems to treat the catch as a group achievement. The captain and mate have been praised for helping anglers, celebrating their fish, and taking photos when everyone is busy. In one case, the captain photographed a husband while his wife was occupied with her own fish, then sent the pictures later by email. That small service matters because fishing often gets hectic at the exact moment you want a camera.

What the captain and mate add to the day

The named captains in the available information are Ismael, also written as Ishmael in one account, and Orlando. You may not receive one of these specific captains, but they give you a useful sense of the crew’s role.

A good sportfishing crew does more than drive the boat. They prepare the rods, watch the gear, explain what to do, help you manage a strong fish, and keep the mood steady when the water goes quiet. The strongest praise here centers on friendly help and genuine excitement when someone hooks up.

The bilingual captain is another practical advantage. If members of your group are more comfortable in Spanish or English, clear instructions can make the difference between enjoying the fight and feeling lost when the fish runs.

This is not a luxury yacht cruise with a full meal and a polished entertainment program. It is a working fishing outing. The appeal comes from time on the water, shared effort, scenery, and the chance to bring home something you caught yourself.

A private trip that works for mixed-age groups

A private boat can be a particularly good choice for families. One group ranged from age 17 to 75, and everyone caught a fish. That does not mean every group will have the same luck, but it does suggest the outing can suit different ages when people are comfortable on a boat and willing to wait between bites.

You also avoid the social problem of sharing limited rail space with strangers. Your group can celebrate together, rotate the rods, and set a pace that feels right for your party. If one person is a serious angler and another simply wants to see Cabo from the water, a private charter gives both people room to enjoy the morning.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The available details do not specify facilities, boat accessibility, or a particular maximum group size, so contact Kellyfish before booking if anyone in your party has mobility needs or requires special arrangements.

Four hours is a sensible length for a first fishing trip. It is long enough to reach productive water and gives you a real chance at a catch, but it is not an all-day commitment. Still, time moves slowly when the fish are not biting. Bring sunscreen, snacks, and patience.

What is included, and what you need to supply

The core fishing equipment is included:

• Rods
• Reels
• Tackle
• An experienced bilingual captain

That package makes the trip easier for visitors who do not want to pack fishing gear or learn which tackle to rent. You can arrive in Cabo and focus on the experience instead of assembling equipment.

You pay separately for the fishing license and live bait. Food and drinks are also excluded. Because the start is early, I would sort out those details before stepping aboard. A hungry angler is not a cheerful angler, especially during a quiet spell.

Bring sun protection even if the morning begins cool. The open water offers little shade, and one family specifically advised bringing plenty of sunscreen and snacks. You will also want practical clothing that can handle spray, fish handling, and a little mess.

If you catch something you want to eat, the crew can take you and your catch to have the fish filleted afterward. Local restaurants are willing to cook the fish for your lunch or dinner. That possibility adds a satisfying final chapter, but the restaurant meal is not included in the charter.

How the value compares with a shared excursion

No trip price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact cost. The useful question is what you receive for the amount you pay.

For a private group, the value comes from having the boat and crew focused only on your party. You are not paying simply for transportation to sea. You receive equipment, captain and mate support, a chance to fish several types of water, and the flexibility that comes with a private booking.

That value is strongest for families, couples, or small groups who care about privacy and personal help. If you are a solo visitor or a strict budget angler, a shared boat could cost less, though that option is not described here. Kellyfish makes more sense when you want the outing to feel like your group’s day rather than a seat on a general tour.

The catch itself should not be treated as part of the price guarantee. You are paying for the fishing opportunity and crew service, not a confirmed marlin or mahi mahi. A good day can produce several fish. A slow day can still offer the Arch, open-water scenery, and possible whale or dolphin sightings.

Weather, cancellations, and cruise timing

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is important in Cabo, where sea conditions can change the quality and safety of a fishing outing.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. Refunds are handled through the booking platform, so keep your confirmation details and make any request through the proper channel.

The 6:00 am start can work well for a cruise passenger, but do not assume it will fit every ship schedule. Allow time to reach the marina, check in, and return to the ship after the activity. The trip ends back at the meeting point, not at your hotel or cruise ship.

Who should book Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing

I would point this trip toward you if you want a real fishing morning, not just a boat ride with a fishing rod as decoration. It is also a good match for a private family group, a couple chasing roosterfish, or friends hoping for mahi mahi and larger game.

You should be comfortable with uncertainty. There may be a dramatic hookup, or there may be quiet periods. You should also be ready for an early start, direct sun, extra costs for the license and bait, and the possibility that the fish you want will not cooperate.

The 4.5 rating from 15 reviews is a positive sign, but the small sample means I would not treat it as a guarantee. The feedback is strongly favorable about the captains, crew attitude, help with photos, and variety of catches. There is also one serious complaint concerning a weather cancellation, payment, and a disappointing second outing. Kellyfish replied that weather refunds are processed through Viator or TripAdvisor and said it could not match the booking details. The practical lesson is simple: save your confirmation number, clarify the refund process, and keep written records if weather changes your plans.

Should you book this four-hour charter?

Book Kellyfish if you value a private boat, an early start, bilingual help, and a genuine chance at Cabo’s sport fish. The combination of the Arch, possible marine-life sightings, hands-on crew support, and the chance to have your catch prepared at a local restaurant gives the morning more substance than a basic fishing rental.

I would skip it if you need a guaranteed catch, a fully catered boat, or a relaxed sightseeing cruise with no waiting. For everyone else, especially a group that wants to share the excitement of a hookup, it offers a focused and flexible way to spend a Cabo morning. Bring cash, snacks, sunscreen, and realistic expectations. If the fish cooperate, you may come back with dinner and a story.

FAQ

How long is the Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing experience?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

What time does the fishing trip start?

The listed start time is 6:00 am.

Where do I meet the boat?

The meeting point is Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 54, Centro, Marina, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is this a private fishing trip?

Yes. Only your group participates in this private activity.

What fishing equipment is included?

Rods, reels, tackle, and an experienced bilingual captain are included.

What costs extra?

The fishing license, live bait, food, and drinks are not included.