Monster 120-Pound Wahoo Caught at Gordo Bank Aboard 26ft Panga “Gaviota”
Article by Alexandra Chacon for Cabo Sportfishing Magazine
The legendary waters of Baja California Sur once again reminded the sportfishing world why Los Cabos remains one of the greatest year-round fishing destinations on the planet after a massive 120-pound wahoo was landed on May 16, 2026, at the famous Gordo Bank aboard the 26-foot panga Gaviota out of San José del Cabo.
The incredible catch was made by Captain Modesto Miranda Peralta alongside deckhand Naelson and tourists Bill and Jim during what was originally planned as a normal morning targeting wahoo along the Punta Gorda area.
Instead, the crew ended up experiencing one of the most memorable catches of their lives.
According to Captain Modesto, conditions that morning were nearly perfect for offshore fishing in the Sea of Cortez. Winds stayed calm at approximately 3 knots while water temperatures remained in the low 80s Fahrenheit — conditions that continue attracting pelagic species into the productive waters surrounding Los Cabos during spring and early summer.
As the crew arrived near Punta Gorda Bank shortly after sunrise, they immediately noticed schools of small skipjack tuna feeding aggressively on the surface.
“We saw lots of small skipjacks on top of the water,” Modesto explained during an interview with Cabo Sportfishing Magazine. “So we caught a few and started slow trolling them.”
At approximately 8:00 a.m., the crew deployed a live bulito using a SHIMANO Talica 16 reel rigged with 40-pound monofilament and a 58-pound wire leader.
Moments later, they got bit.
“At first it didn’t feel very strong,” Modesto recalled. “But I knew it was a wahoo because of the way it was shaking its head.”
Initially, the fish behaved like an average-sized wahoo, giving the crew little indication they had hooked one of the largest fish many local captains have ever witnessed.
That changed instantly once the fish approached the panga.
“As soon as we saw the size of it next to the boat, the wahoo took off incredibly fast,” Modesto said. “That’s when we realized how huge it really was.”
The giant fish then ripped line off the Talica reel, beginning a brutal 40-minute battle aboard the small panga.
According to Captain Modesto, the most difficult part came once the fish repeatedly dove underneath the boat, forcing the crew to carefully maneuver around the fish to avoid losing it.
“The hardest part was when it kept going underneath the panga,” he explained.
When the fish was finally brought onboard, emotions immediately exploded across the deck of the Gaviota.
“As soon as we got the wahoo onboard, the client started screaming out loud and gave me a big hug thanking me over and over,” Modesto shared.
Even after spending his entire life on the water, the veteran captain admitted this fish was unlike anything he had ever seen before.
“For me it was a great life accomplishment since I have fished all my life and have never even seen a wahoo this size before,” Modesto said.
He also reflected on the deeper meaning behind sportfishing and the emotional connection many anglers develop with the ocean over time.
“Sportfishing gives you many emotions and satisfactions,” Modesto explained. “Sometimes you don’t get what you are really going after, but if you truly love the sport, you will keep trying over and over.”
The historic catch also highlights why Baja California Sur continues attracting anglers from around the world looking for trophy-class fish and unforgettable offshore adventures. From giant yellowfin tuna and striped marlin to dorado, roosterfish, and monster wahoo, the region offers some of the most diverse and productive fisheries anywhere in the world.
With warm blue water, rich bait concentrations, year-round action, and experienced local captains, destinations such as Los Cabos, the East Cape, La Paz, Loreto, and Magdalena Bay continue building Baja California Sur’s reputation as a global sportfishing powerhouse.
For Captain Modesto and everyone onboard the Gaviota, May 16, 2026, will forever be remembered as the day an ordinary morning searching for wahoo transformed into one of the most unforgettable catches ever experienced in the waters of Los Cabos.
