Pacifictime Sports Fishing in Cabos san lucas

Cabo’s Pacifictime Sports Fishing charter is built around one big goal: putting you on serious fish. On the 34-foot Blackfin, Captain Paulo and deckhands such as Eddie, Cesar, Julio, and Enrique work the lines for marlin, sailfish, wahoo, tuna, dorado, and roosterfish. Early starts can bring multiple hookups at once, along with whales, dolphins, and sea lions near the boat.

I like two things right away. First, this is a private charter for up to six people, so your group is not sharing rods with strangers. Second, the crew adjusts the plan when conditions change. If marlin are slow, you may switch to tuna or another target rather than spend the whole morning staring at quiet lines.

The catch is that licenses and bait are extra, and the final bill can rise quickly with hotel pickup, fish cleaning, tips, and additional bait. A few outings also felt quiet and workmanlike, with little conversation from the crew. You should book this for serious fishing, not a polished party boat.

Key points to know before you book

• Marlin is the main prize: Recent outings produced striped and blue marlin, with some fish taking a long time to bring alongside.
• Captain Paulo leads the operation: Local captains and deckhands work hard, speak English, and adjust tactics to the day’s conditions.
• The boat is a 34-foot Blackfin: It carries only your group, with a small toilet, cooler, ice, water, and fishing gear.
• The five-hour trip starts at 6:00 am: An early departure gives you sunrise views and a full morning on the water.
• Extra costs matter: Fishing licenses, live bait, possible pickup, fish cleaning, and tips are not included in the $799 base price.
• You may take fish home: Fish can be cleaned, bagged, filleted, vacuum-packed, frozen, or sent to your hotel for an additional charge.

What a $799 Cabo fishing charter really gets you

The listed price is $799 per group of up to six people, not per person. That makes the arithmetic attractive for a full group. Split six ways, the base rate is about $133 per person before licenses, bait, and service charges. For two people, the same boat costs much more per head, but you still get a private outing rather than a shared departure.

The charter is listed at about five hours, with eight-hour trips also offered. The standard departure is 6:00 am from O Dock 2 in central Cabo San Lucas. That timing is useful for more than avoiding the midday heat. It puts you on the water during the best part of the morning for a full fishing session and gives you a chance to see the sun come up over the Pacific.

Water and ice are included. The cooler matters, especially if you keep a fish. You will need to budget separately for fishing licenses and live bait. Exact costs have varied by outing, with examples of about $20 per person for a license and roughly $40 to $100 for bait, depending on the amount purchased and the trip’s needs.

I would ask for the current total before departure. One outing involved an additional pickup charge, and other costs can appear at the marina or after landing. Fish cleaning and bagging have been quoted at about $35 to $50, while vacuum packing, freezing, or sending meat to your hotel costs extra.

Meeting Captain Paulo before sunrise

The published meeting point is O Dock 2, Centro, Cabo San Lucas, at 6:00 am. Hotel pickup has also been arranged on many outings, sometimes around 5:30 or 5:45 am. That service is convenient, especially if you are staying away from the marina, but confirm if it carries a fee and exactly where the pickup will happen.

At the marina, you handle the fishing license and bait before boarding. Bring cash. This is the practical point most likely to cause friction if you arrive unprepared. There may be a small convenience store near the departure area selling coffee, drinks, and snacks, but I would not rely on it for a full breakfast.

Captain Paulo is the name most closely tied to this boat. Other crew members include Eddie, Cesar, Julio, Ramon, Josue, Derek, Armando, and Enrique, depending on the outing. English is offered, and Paulo has been described as easy to understand. The crew’s strongest quality is their willingness to stay busy: baiting hooks, changing tactics, watching lines, and helping with fish once someone hooks up.

This is not a hands-off luxury cruise. The crew does the trolling and manages the heavy tackle. If you want to cast your own lure throughout the morning, ask in advance. A family did request some jig casting for the children, and the crew arranged it, but the normal method is trolling large lines while the boat is moving.

Trolling for marlin, sailfish, and wahoo

Once the lines are set, the boat heads toward the day’s fishing grounds. The exact route changes with the target species, recent catches, and sea conditions. The crew may focus on marlin in deeper water, then switch to tuna or smaller species if that gives you better action.

Marlin is the reason many people choose this charter. Several outings produced one or more fish, and one group hooked three marlin at the same time and landed two. Another group spent about two hours bringing a blue marlin to the boat. That is a serious physical effort, not a quick photo opportunity.

Sailfish and wahoo are also possible targets. One morning produced a marlin, two sailfish over 100 pounds, and a roughly 60-pound wahoo. Other catches included dorado, bonito, skipjack tuna, mackerel, pompano, roosterfish, vermilion snapper, and yellowtail snapper.

Fishing is never guaranteed. One group caught bonito early and then had a quiet remainder of the five-hour trip. That is part of the deal with wild fishing, but it is still worth understanding before you spend $799. The crew can change locations and methods, yet no captain can order marlin to appear.

The crew’s best quality is steady work

I would choose this charter for people who want an active fishing crew rather than a highly scripted tour. Captain Paulo and his deckhands have repeatedly been praised for keeping the lines working and finding alternatives when a preferred species is not cooperating.

That flexibility can save a morning. One outing began with trolling for a desired species, then changed to tuna after the captain explained that tuna had been active recently. The group caught fish after several quiet hours. Another afternoon charter was arranged at short notice, and the crew focused on giving teenagers a chance to reel in fish.

The crew also helps first-time ocean anglers. Once a fish is hooked, reeling can be tiring and awkward, especially with heavy tackle. The deckhands guide you through the process and take care of the technical work around the rod.

Communication is the area I would watch most closely. Most accounts describe friendly, helpful service, but a few people felt ignored after boarding. The boat can feel like a working fishing platform rather than a fully polished sightseeing product. Ask questions, tell the captain what you hope to catch, and say clearly if you want more explanation for children or first-time anglers.

Whales, dolphins, and the Cabo coastline

The fishing is the main event, but wildlife can make the ride memorable even during a slow spell. Outings have included breaching whales, pods of dolphins, sea lions, and views of the Cabo coastline. These sightings are not promised, yet they are a valuable bonus during the run to the fishing grounds.

Some trips also pass near the Arch for photos. That adds a recognizable Cabo moment without turning the outing into a sightseeing cruise. If you care about getting pictures there, ask whether the route and fishing conditions allow time for it.

The sunrise is another small reward of the early departure. You will see Cabo from the water before the marina and beaches become busy. I like that the morning gives you both a working fish trip and a scenic look at the southern tip of Baja.

Bring sun protection and clothing suitable for spray. The supplied information confirms water and ice, but not meals, snacks, drinks beyond water, or seasickness medication. A small toilet is on the boat. Since seasickness has affected some people, take that possibility seriously if you are prone to it.

Keeping your catch and getting it home

If you catch a fish you want to eat, the process does not end when you return to the dock. People at the marina can help transport, clean, fillet, and bag the catch. You may take a portion to your hotel or restaurant, and paid services can vacuum-pack, freeze, or send the remaining meat to your accommodation.

The quantities can be substantial. One group took about 25 pounds of fish to a restaurant for a party of 20. Another family returned with enough meat for several meals. That sounds wonderful, but a large marlin can produce more fish than a small hotel room or travel cooler can handle.

Ask before you leave the dock:

• What fish can you keep?
• What will cleaning and bagging cost?
• Can the meat be vacuum-packed or frozen?
• Can it be sent to your hotel?
• Do you need to arrange transport or pay cash?

Bring cash for these services and for tips. Some people choose to release a marlin because of the large amount of meat. That decision is yours, but it helps to discuss handling and release expectations with the crew before fishing begins.

Boat comfort and the feel of the day

The 34-foot Blackfin is a useful size for a private group of up to six. You have room to fish without sharing the boat with a large crowd, and the boat includes a small toilet, cooler, ice, and water. The size is also large enough for serious offshore fishing, though conditions can still feel rough.

This is not a resort-style vessel. One outing described a dirty interior packed with fishing equipment, and another noted that the engines are loud enough that earplugs would help. Those details matter if you expect spotless seating, quiet cruising, or lots of indoor space.

The boat is best for people who care more about fishing than decoration. You will spend much of the time watching rods, waiting for a strike, and helping with fish. If the lines go quiet, there may be long stretches with little to do beyond enjoying the sea and looking for wildlife.

Families can have a great time, especially when children or teenagers help reel in a fish. But younger participants should understand that this is not a casual casting lesson. The normal setup uses heavy trolling gear, and a large fish can require real stamina.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would consider Pacifictime Sports Fishing a good fit for:

• A group of friends who want a private boat and a real shot at marlin.
• Families with older children or teenagers who can handle a long fishing session.
• Anglers who want to choose between marlin, tuna, wahoo, roosterfish, or other local species.
• Visitors who value a hard-working local crew more than luxury finishes.
• People who want to bring fresh fish back to a hotel, restaurant, or freezer service.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet sightseeing cruise, a spotless luxury boat, or a fully inclusive price. It is also not ideal if you dislike early starts, engine noise, uncertain catches, or extra cash payments at the marina.

The charter has a 4.8 rating from 197 ratings, with 94 percent recommending it. That points to a strong overall experience, but the lower ratings reveal the main risk: service can feel less personal when the crew is focused on running the boat. Set your expectations correctly and speak up about what you want.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided at booking. The activity is offered in English, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but remember that ocean fishing involves standing, holding a rod, and dealing with boat movement.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Because the charter is often reserved about 31 days ahead, I would not wait until the last moment if your schedule is fixed. Before paying, confirm the five-hour or eight-hour option, hotel pickup price, boat size, bait estimate, license cost, and fish-processing options.

Should you book Pacifictime Sports Fishing?

Book it if your priority is serious Cabo fishing with a private group. Captain Paulo and his crew have produced impressive catches, including marlin, sailfish, wahoo, dorado, tuna, and roosterfish. The crew works hard, adapts to conditions, and can help beginners manage large fish.

Do not book it expecting every comfort to be included. The $799 price is only the starting point, and bait, licenses, pickup, cleaning, tips, and food can add up. Ask direct questions before departure, bring cash, and decide in advance what you will do with a big catch.

For a group of four to six people who want a genuine working fishing boat and a chance at a trophy fish, I think the value is strong. For two people who mainly want a scenic morning on the water, a shorter sightseeing cruise may make more sense.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip start?

The listed meeting point is O Dock 2, Centro, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico.

What time does the charter begin?

The standard start time is 6:00 am. Hotel pickups have taken place around 5:30 or 5:45 am on some outings.

How long is the trip?

The listed experience lasts about five hours. Eight-hour trips are also offered.

How many people can join?

This is a private activity for your group, with space for up to six people.

What fish might I catch?

Possible species include marlin, tuna, wahoo, roosterfish, yellowtail snapper, sailfish, dorado, bonito, mackerel, pompano, and vermilion snapper.

Are fishing licenses and bait included?

No. Fishing licenses and live bait are not included in the $799 price.

What is included in the charter?

Bottled water, ice, and a cooler are included. The boat also has a small toilet.

Can I keep the fish I catch?

You can take your catch for preparation or cooking. Fish cleaning, filleting, bagging, vacuum packing, freezing, and delivery to a hotel cost extra.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded. Poor-weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.