Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing (Our bigger boat!)

Cabo fishing can turn serious fast. With Kellyfish, you leave the marina at 6:00 am, pass the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, and head toward productive water where mahi mahi, marlin, roosterfish, bonita, and larger fish may be waiting. The early start also gives you a chance to see sunrise, whales, or dolphins before the fishing settles into its stop-and-start rhythm.

I like two things here: the private boat, which keeps your group together, and the crew’s hands-on approach. Captains Ismael and Orlando are singled out for making families feel involved, and one crew even sent fishing photos afterward. The catch can also be taken for filleting and later prepared by a local restaurant.

The main caution is the extra cost and uneven pace. Your fishing license, live bait, food, and drinks are not included, and the ocean can deliver long quiet stretches between bites. The advertised trip lasts about four hours, though one account describes roughly five hours on the water, so confirm the exact duration before booking.

The details that matter most

• Early departure: Meet at Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 54 in central Cabo San Lucas at 6:00 am.
• Private outing: Only your group takes part, a useful setup for families and friends who want the boat to themselves.
• Fish you might chase: Mahi mahi, striped marlin, roosterfish, bonita, albacore, and possibly larger game such as mako shark.
• Arch of Cabo stop: The famous rock formation is part of the route and makes a fine opening view before the fishing begins.
• Bring extra cash: Fishing licenses and live bait are separate from the booking.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Leaving Cabo Marina before the heat

The meeting point is at Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 54 in Centro, by the Cabo San Lucas Marina. You need to be there for a 6:00 am start, so this is not a lazy vacation morning. The upside is clear: you get cooler conditions, softer light, and the best chance to spend your fishing time before the day becomes hot.

Kellyfish supplies the rods, reels, and tackle. An experienced bilingual captain is included, so you can ask questions and follow instructions in English or Spanish. The boat is described as the company’s bigger boat, but no seating capacity or exact boat specifications are provided. If your group has a particular comfort or space need, ask before confirming.

This is a private activity. That matters more than it may first appear. You are not sharing the boat with an unrelated group, so the captain can focus on your party, your preferred fishing style, and the age and experience level of the people aboard. It also makes the trip easier for a family with a wide age range. One successful outing included people from 17 to 75, with everyone catching a fish.

Passing the Arch of Cabo San Lucas

The route includes a stop at the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, the rock formation where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. It is one of the defining views in Cabo, and seeing it from the water gives you a better sense of the cliffs and shoreline than a quick look from land.

Treat this as part of the setting, not a guaranteed sightseeing cruise. The main purpose of the trip is fishing, and the time available is limited. You may pause near the Arch early in the outing, then continue toward fishing grounds. If your group wants a longer photo stop, ask the captain how much time can be spared without cutting into the fishing.

The early light can be especially appealing here. One account describes starting with sunrise before putting lines in the water. That combination gives the morning a real sense of place, even if the fish take their time.

What the first lines in the water can bring

Fishing begins quickly once the crew sets the lines. Bonita, also called albacore in the supplied trip details, may provide early action. These fish can keep the group engaged while the crew works toward other targets.

The fishing is not a fixed show. You may get a bite soon after leaving the marina, or you may spend stretches waiting and watching the water. That uncertainty is part of the sport, but it is also the biggest reason to set sensible expectations. A four-hour trip gives you a useful introduction to Cabo fishing, not a guarantee of constant action.

Several species appear in the catch accounts:

• Mahi mahi, known for strong runs and bright coloring
• Roosterfish, a popular inshore target with a distinctive dorsal fin
• Striped marlin, including a reported double hookup
• Bonita or albacore
• Mako shark, including one notably large catch

These catches are possibilities, not promises. Your captain chooses the fishing area based on conditions and what is active that day. The crew can help you handle the rod and manage a fish once it is hooked, which makes the trip workable for people who have never fished offshore.

Roosterfish, mahi mahi, and the thrill of a hard fight

Roosterfish received some of the strongest praise in the supplied accounts. A couple fishing together landed several and lost others, describing them as powerful fighters. That is useful information for anyone choosing between a relaxed sightseeing boat and a more active fishing trip. A hooked roosterfish can demand attention, coordination, and patience.

Mahi mahi are another possible prize. A large mahi mahi was landed on one outing, and another group brought in multiple fish. Marlin may also be in the mix, including striped marlin. These are exciting targets, but you should remember that the ocean decides the result.

The captain and mate play a major role in how enjoyable a catch becomes. Ismael is mentioned by name as a captain who kept the group involved, while Orlando led another productive trip. A helpful crew will set the gear, explain what to do, assist with the fish, and celebrate the catch without making the day feel like a contest.

That support is especially valuable when several people hook fish at once. One group had a double hookup, while another described everyone catching fish. If you are bringing children, older relatives, or first-time anglers, the private setup gives the crew more room to help.

Wildlife and the quiet periods between bites

Cabo’s water can add more than fish to the morning. One outing included whales breaching and dolphins playing along the coast. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the possibility gives you something to watch for while the lines are out.

You should also prepare for periods when nothing much happens. One family specifically noted that several hours on the ocean can feel long when the fish are quiet. Bring plenty of sunscreen and snacks, and plan on food and drinks being your responsibility. The supplied equipment covers rods, reels, and tackle, not your morning provisions.

This is where the trip suits some people better than others. If you enjoy the anticipation of waiting, scanning the water, and trying again after a missed bite, the pauses are part of the pleasure. If you need constant activity, a short fishing charter may test your patience.

A private boat helps, since your group can talk, take in the views, and enjoy the ride without strangers around. Still, a private charter cannot control fish behavior or weather. A calm, good-looking sea can remain a quiet one.

What is included, and what you must add

The basic package includes:

• Rods
• Reels
• Tackle
• An experienced bilingual captain

You need to pay separately for the fishing license, live bait, food, and drinks. This is important when judging value. The booking covers the boat, gear, and crew, but your final cost will be higher than the base price once you add the required license and optional bait.

Because no trip price is provided here, I cannot call it a bargain or an expensive charter. The best way to judge the value is to compare the total cost with the size of your private group. A private boat can make sense for a family or group of friends because everyone shares the core cost and gets direct access to the crew. For one or two people, the total may feel less favorable than a shared boat.

You may also have the option to take your catch for filleting. Local restaurants are willing to cook the fish for lunch or dinner, turning the morning’s result into part of your Cabo meal. Confirm the current filleting arrangements and restaurant options with the crew, since those details are not specified.

Timing, comfort, and who should book

The trip starts at 6:00 am and ends back at the marina. The advertised duration is approximately four hours, although one account describes five hours on the ocean. That difference matters if you have a flight, cruise departure, lunch reservation, or another activity planned. Confirm the exact return time before booking.

The outing works well for:

• Families who want a private activity
• Friends who enjoy fishing together
• First-time anglers who want crew assistance
• Experienced fishers hoping for mahi mahi, roosterfish, or marlin
• People arriving by cruise ship, provided they allow enough time to return to the ship

A cruise passenger reported getting back with plenty of time to spare, but you should still build in a generous buffer. The trip ends at the original meeting point, and no separate transport is listed.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity information does not provide details about wheelchair access, seating, shade, restrooms, or motion-sickness support. Ask Kellyfish directly if any of those points affect your decision.

Weather, refunds, and a sensible booking plan

This activity depends on good weather. If Kellyfish cancels because conditions are poor, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is different from canceling on your own. You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 6:00 am start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

There is one practical point worth handling carefully: keep your booking confirmation and communicate through the booking company if a weather cancellation occurs. The operator explains that refunds are processed through Viator or TripAdvisor rather than directly by the boat company. Written records can help if a date changes.

The overall rating is 4.5 from 15 reviews, with several five-star accounts praising the crew, catches, and private experience. There is also one serious complaint about a disputed refund and an unsatisfying second outing. Kellyfish responded that it could not match the booking details and stated that weather cancellations are normally refunded. I would not ignore that disagreement, but I would treat it as a reason to confirm the refund process before departure, not as proof that your trip will go badly.

Is Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing worth booking?

I would choose this trip if you want a private Cabo fishing morning and are comfortable with uncertain results. The strongest reasons are the bilingual captain, supplied fishing gear, small personal setting, and the chance to target exciting species such as roosterfish, mahi mahi, and striped marlin.

Book it with realistic expectations. You are paying for access to the water, equipment, crew effort, and the chance at a memorable catch. You are not buying a guaranteed fish or nonstop action. Bring sunscreen, snacks, drinks, and cash for your license and bait. If your group values time together more than a guaranteed itinerary, Kellyfish offers a promising way to see Cabo from the water and test the local fishing grounds.

FAQ

Where does Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing meet?

Meet at Blvd. Paseo de la Marina 54, Centro, Marina, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico.

What time does the fishing trip start?

The listed start time is 6:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The activity is advertised as approximately four hours. One account describes spending about five hours on the ocean, so confirm the exact duration before booking.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this activity.

What equipment is provided?

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

Are the fishing license and bait included?

No. The fishing license and live bait are separate costs.

Are food and drinks provided?

No. You need to bring or arrange your own food and drinks.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.