By Keith Lusher Jr. | Cabo Sportfishing Magazine
Cabo San Lucas is unlike anywhere else I’ve ever fished.
Back home in South Louisiana, if you don’t have bait before leaving the dock, you’re probably out of luck. In Cabo, a bait boat pulls alongside before you’ve even cleared the harbor, delivering fresh ballyhoo and threadfin herring.
Even better, you’re only about six miles from fishing grounds that drop into more than 3,000 feet of water. Less time running means more time fishing.
But one of Cabo’s greatest traditions begins after the fishing is over.
Unlike most destinations, you can walk off your boat with your fresh catch and have it expertly prepared just minutes later. It’s one of the experiences that makes fishing in Cabo so memorable.
Few places embrace that tradition better than Anglers Landing, whose motto says it all:
“You Hook It, We Cook It.”
I recently spoke with restaurant manager Víctor Luján Felipe about what makes their catch-and-cook experience so popular, and it quickly became clear that this isn’t just another menu option—it’s what they’re known for.
A Personalized Dining Experience
Every fish is different, and every group has its own preferences.
“When guests arrive, we first identify what species they’ve caught,” Víctor explained. “We also ask about food allergies and whether anyone enjoys raw fish.”
If the answer is yes, the experience usually starts with fresh appetizers like ceviche or sashimi while the kitchen prepares the main course.
One of Víctor’s favorite recommendations is the restaurant’s Curricanes—thin slices of fresh tuna wrapped around spicy crab, avocado, and cucumber.
On my last visit, I brought in a fresh dorado that we’d caught earlier that morning. The ceviche alone made the trip worthwhile before the main course even arrived.
If you’re planning to bring your catch, it’s a good idea to let the restaurant know as soon as you arrive so the kitchen can begin preparing it while you relax.
Seven Different Ways to Enjoy Your Catch
One thing that impressed me was the variety.
Anglers Landing offers seven different preparation styles for your fish, each served with mashed potatoes, fresh vegetables, warm bread, and butter.
“Our goal is for every group to enjoy their catch in several different ways,” Víctor said. “Fresh fish is incredibly versatile.”
If you’re dining with family or children, garlic butter is always a safe choice, while guests looking for bolder flavors can choose one of the restaurant’s more seasoned preparations.
If you’ve had a productive day offshore, there’s nothing stopping you from trying more than one style.
What’s Biting Is What’s Cooking
I asked Víctor which species anglers bring in most often.
Without hesitation he listed:
- Dorado (Mahi-Mahi)
- Yellowfin Tuna
- Wahoo
- Sierra Mackerel
- Red Snapper
- Grouper
- Marlin
- Roosterfish
- Triggerfish
According to Víctor, the kitchen prepares dorado, marlin, red snapper, and grouper more than any others because they’re exceptionally fresh and work beautifully with multiple cooking styles.
Occasionally guests bring in something more unusual, including needlefish or skipjack tuna, and the chefs happily accept the challenge.
No Fish? No Problem.
Even if your cooler comes back empty, Anglers Landing is worth the visit.
Víctor told me their most popular menu item is the restaurant’s Signature Shrimp Platter.
It features six gourmet shrimp prepared three different ways:
- Coconut shrimp
- Mozzarella-stuffed shrimp wrapped in bacon
- Cream cheese and kanikama-stuffed shrimp wrapped in crispy potato spaghetti
Everything is finished with house-made eel sauce and mango sauce.
To go with it, Víctor recommends the restaurant’s signature cocktail, the Mr. Margarita, also known by many regulars as the Skinny Boy.
Made with Don Julio tequila, Controy, fresh lime juice, and the restaurant’s own finishing touch, it’s exactly what you want after a long day on the water.
More Than Just Dinner
One thing I really enjoy about Cabo’s catch-and-cook tradition is that it extends the fishing experience.
After returning to the marina, you have time to shower, relax, and return later with family or friends for dinner.
On our last trip, our dorado arrived at the table prepared in garlic butter.
I pulled out my phone and showed my daughters the picture I’d taken just a few hours earlier of that same fish coming over the rail.
Watching them eat a fish they’d seen caught that morning turned dinner into something much more memorable.
It’s experiences like that which make Cabo special.
Part of Cabo’s Sportfishing Community
Anglers Landing has become more than just a restaurant.
Throughout the year they host sportfishing events, welcome tournament anglers, and regularly participate in celebrations surrounding the Orsan Sportfishing Tournament.
“These events allow us to share our passion for great food, fresh seafood, and the incredible sportfishing community that makes Los Cabos so special,” Víctor said.
Before You Go
Anglers Landing is located directly in the Cabo San Lucas Marina, only a short walk from the docks.
They’re open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., making it easy to enjoy breakfast before fishing or dinner after a successful day offshore.
The restaurant also has a second location at the Los Cabos International Airport, giving visitors one last opportunity to enjoy fresh Baja seafood before heading home.
If you’re planning a fishing trip to Cabo, don’t let the experience end at the dock.
Bring your catch.
Bring your family.
Bring your appetite.
Then let Anglers Landing finish what your day on the water started.