Pacifictime too sports fishing in Cabo San Lucas

The best part of this private Cabo fishing trip is its mix of serious angling and classic scenery. You’ll set out on a 31-foot Bertram, stop for live bait, pass the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, then choose your targets with the crew. I like the boat’s bathroom, bunks, dining tables, and newer fishing gear. I also like that captain Paulo and his crew ask what you hope to catch, rather than treating every outing the same.

The main drawback is the extra cost. Fishing licenses and live bait are not included, and you may also pay dock fees, fish cleaning charges, and costs for fish you keep. Clarify the full bill before departure so a good day on the water does not bring an unwelcome surprise.

Key points to know before booking

• A private 31-foot Bertram: Your group has the boat to itself, with a bathroom, bunk beds, dining tables, and fishing equipment.
• Five hours on the Pacific: The trip gives you a focused half-day on the water, with time for bait, the Arch, and several fishing areas.
• You choose the target species: Ask for mahi-mahi, marlin, tuna, wahoo, roosterfish, or other fish on your wish list.
• Captain Paulo’s crew works hard: The crew has changed lures, rigs, and fishing areas to keep searching for fish.
• The Arch is part of the outing: You get a famous Cabo view before settling into the fishing portion of the trip.
• Budget for add-ons: Licenses, live bait, dock fees, and fish preparation are separate expenses.

A private Bertram instead of a crowded fishing boat

Pacific Time Sport Fishing takes up to six people on a 31-foot Bertram. That size gives you more room than a small open skiff, while the private format means you are not sharing the boat with strangers who want a different kind of day.

The boat comes with a bathroom, bunk beds, dining tables, and fishing equipment. Those details matter during a five-hour trip. The bathroom is useful when you are far from shore, and the extra interior space gives you somewhere to sit or get out of the sun for a few minutes. Bunk beds are less important on a short outing, but they show that this is a proper offshore boat rather than a bare fishing platform.

Bottled water is provided, which is a small but worthwhile touch in Cabo’s heat. You should still bring any other drinks or snacks you want, since the supplied information only promises water.

Because this is a private activity, you can fish at your own pace. A group of experienced anglers can focus on fishing, while a family group can give more time to the Arch and the scenery. You are not locked into someone else’s bucket list.

Buying bait and heading past the Arch

The outing begins at O Dock 2 in central Cabo San Lucas. From there, the plan is to stop and buy live bait before heading toward the Arch. Live bait is often part of the fishing method in this area, but it is not included in the $799 group price.

The Arch is more than a quick photo stop. It is one of Cabo’s signature sights, where the land meets the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez. Seeing it from a fishing boat gives you a useful first look at the coast before the boat turns toward the fishing grounds.

The published itinerary lists the Arch as the trip’s formal stop. The practical schedule can vary because the crew must buy bait and decide where conditions look best. If your main goal is catching fish, think of the Arch as a scenic part of the start rather than the central event.

This is also a good moment to tell the crew what you want. The trip can be shaped around fish such as mahi-mahi, marlin, tuna, wahoo, and roosterfish. No catch is guaranteed, of course. Fish move, weather changes, and the crew may need to adjust plans.

Choosing your fish instead of following a fixed script

The flexible target list is one of the strongest reasons to book this trip as a private group. You can arrive with a clear goal, such as dorado and marlin, or let captain Paulo’s crew suggest the best option for the day.

One successful outing produced a dorado, a striped marlin, giant mackerel, and skipjack. Another included a seal hitching a ride on the back of the boat. Those moments show the range of the experience, but they should not be read as a promise that you will catch the same fish.

The crew’s approach is practical. On one trip, they tried different spots, lures, and rigs while continuing to work for the group. That matters when the first location is quiet. A captain who keeps adjusting gives you a better chance than one who simply waits in one place.

You should also tell the crew whether you want to keep fish. This affects the cost and the amount of work at the end of the trip. If you keep your catch, fish cutting is not free. Ask about the cleaning and preparation charge before you decide how much to take home.

What five hours feels like on the water

Five hours is a useful middle ground. It is long enough to get beyond the opening routine, fish several areas, and enjoy the coast, but short enough to fit into a busy Cabo holiday.

You should expect the first portion to include meeting at O Dock 2, purchasing live bait, and traveling toward the Arch. The remaining time is used for fishing and moving if the crew decides another area is more promising.

An early start may be offered or arranged for some departures. One group left at 5:30 a.m. and enjoyed sunrise on the water. That timing can make sense for anglers who want cooler conditions and a full morning, but do not assume every booking starts at that hour. Confirm the exact departure time before you plan the rest of your day.

The boat includes dining tables, but this is still a fishing trip, not a meal cruise. Bottled water is provided. If you need breakfast, special drinks, or snacks, ask what you may bring or plan to provide them yourself.

The bathroom is a practical advantage, especially for anyone who is uneasy about being offshore for several hours. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is described as suitable for most people, but you should still consider your group’s comfort on a moving boat.

The crew and the tone of the outing

Captain Paulo is the main name associated with the operation. He has also provided transportation to the marina for at least some bookings, though one account specifically notes that the ride was provided to the marina and not back afterward. Treat that as a possible courtesy, not a guaranteed round-trip service.

When Paulo cannot join the boat, his son and a deckhand may operate the trip. They worked hard for one father-and-son outing, changing areas and tackle while trying to meet the requested fish list. That personal attention is especially useful on a private charter because the crew can focus on your group rather than dividing time among several parties.

You should still ask direct questions at the dock. Confirm who will captain the boat, what is included, which fees are payable in cash or by another method, and what happens to fish you do not keep.

The crew’s job is to put you in position to catch fish, not to guarantee a particular species. If marlin is your only acceptable result, any fishing charter carries risk. If you are happy with a mix of fish, wildlife, scenery, and time on the Pacific, the format makes more sense.

The real cost of the $799 group price

The advertised price is $799 per group of up to six people. That can be a fair value if you fill the boat. Split six ways, the base price is about $133 per person before licenses, bait, dock fees, and fish preparation. For two people, the same charter costs about $400 each before those extras.

That difference is important. The price works best for a family or group of friends who want a private boat. It is less attractive for one or two people who do not care about privacy and could instead join a shared trip.

The base price includes bottled water and the boat, but not fishing licenses or live bait. One account also reports a dock fee required to board, despite the boat already being paid for. This may be a local marina charge rather than a standard provider fee, but you should ask about it before the morning begins.

Fish handling can add another charge. You may pay for fish you decide to keep, and having the crew cut it up is not free. A previous group took dorado and giant mackerel to its hotel restaurant for cooking, which can be a memorable way to finish the day. But first ask about the price per fish, the cleaning cost, and what happens to fish you leave behind.

One important point is that you should not assume a fish sale or trip discount. A previous group expected it might be possible to sell fish or receive a credit, but that was not how the arrangement worked. Ask before booking if you hope to offset the price with your catch.

What makes the catch worthwhile

The appeal is not only the fish. A morning can include sunrise, the Arch, open water, wildlife, and time with your own group. For many people, catching a striped marlin will be the highlight. For others, the best memory may be a dorado dinner or an unexpected seal at the stern.

The crew can target several species, including mahi-mahi, marlin, tuna, wahoo, and roosterfish. The fish you encounter depends on the conditions and the day. That variety is useful if you are new to Cabo fishing because you can name a few preferred targets without placing the whole trip on one species.

If you catch something you want to eat, ask about taking it to your hotel restaurant. One group had dorado and giant mackerel prepared at its hotel, but the arrangement and kitchen policy will vary. Do not assume every hotel will cook a fish brought from outside.

You should also make a plan for fish before you leave. Keeping a large catch may involve cutting fees, storage, transport, and a way to cook it. If you do not want to deal with that, ask the crew what your options are before you start fishing.

Who should book this Cabo charter

I would look first at this trip if you are traveling with a family or group of friends and want the boat to yourselves. Six people sharing the $799 base price can make the cost reasonable, and the private format lets you set the mood.

It also suits anglers who want more than a simple sightseeing cruise. You can name your target species, watch the crew change tactics, and spend most of the outing focused on fishing.

The trip is a less natural fit if you dislike early starts, motion on the water, or additional charges that are not visible in the base price. It may also disappoint you if you expect to sell your catch, receive a discount for fish you leave behind, or have all fish cleaning included.

The central meeting point at O Dock 2 is convenient and near public transportation. The activity ends at the same meeting point. Transportation from a hotel may sometimes be available, but confirm it directly because at least one arrangement covered the ride to the marina only.

Confirmation is sent when you book. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The activity requires good weather, and a weather cancellation brings the choice of another date or a full refund.

Should you book Pacific Time Sport Fishing?

Book it if you want a private half-day charter with room for up to six, a real offshore boat, a flexible fish list, and the Arch included along the way. Captain Paulo’s crew has shown the kind of persistence you want when the first spot or lure does not work.

Before paying, get a clear list of every expected charge. Ask about the fishing license, live bait, dock fee, fish cleaning, and the cost of keeping your catch. That one conversation will tell you whether the $799 price fits your group.

For a full group that values privacy and hopes to fish seriously, this is a strong Cabo option. For a couple comparing shared boats, the per-person price may be harder to justify. The operation is rated 4.8 from 22 ratings, with 95 percent of customers recommending it, but fishing remains fishing: the crew can work hard and still cannot promise a marlin.

FAQ

How much does Pacific Time Sport Fishing cost?

The price is $799 per group of up to six people. Fishing licenses and live bait are not included.

How long is the fishing trip?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at O Dock 2, Centro, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.

What kind of boat is used?

The trip uses a 31-foot Bertram with a bathroom, bunk beds, dining tables, and fishing equipment.

Which fish can you target?

Possible target species include mahi-mahi, marlin, tuna, wahoo, and roosterfish. The crew decides where to fish based on the day and your preferred catch.

Is bait included?

No. Live bait is purchased during the outing and is not included in the listed price.

What happens if the weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.