Consistent 75–80°F Water Temperatures Have Created One of the Most Productive Early Seasons in Recent Memory Across Baja California Sur
Published: May 10, 2026
By Cabo Sportfishing Magazine Staff
The 2026 fishing season in Cabo San Lucas continues producing impressive offshore action as warm blue water conditions, stable chlorophyll edges, and favorable ocean temperatures have created an unusually productive spring fishery for wahoo, dorado, striped marlin, and even early blue marlin sightings throughout the region.
According to multiple recent fishing reports and local captains throughout Los Cabos, offshore water temperatures have remained unusually warm since January, generally holding between 75°F and 80°F depending on location and current movement. Those conditions have helped maintain cleaner blue-water lanes and productive chlorophyll concentrations surprisingly close to shore.
Many captains believe those stable water conditions are one of the biggest reasons Cabo has continued seeing strong numbers of quality dorado and trophy-size wahoo much earlier than usual this year.
Warm Water Has Kept Pelagic Species Close to Cabo
Throughout much of a normal year, larger blue marlin activity in Baja California Sur is most commonly associated with the warmer summer and early fall months when offshore temperatures rise significantly. However, several crews fishing offshore this spring have already reported encounters with blue marlin mixed alongside striped marlin, dorado, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo.
Fishing reports from Los Cabos throughout March, April, and May have consistently highlighted productive offshore conditions, with multiple reports specifically mentioning standout wahoo and dorado fishing combined with excellent striped marlin action.
Local captains say the proximity of clean water and bait concentrations has allowed many boats to locate mixed-species action without requiring extremely long offshore runs.
“Whenever we see stable temperatures in that 75 to 80-degree range combined with favorable chlorophyll breaks, the fishing can become very dynamic,” explained crews fishing the Cabo region this spring. “This year has felt different because those conditions have stayed very consistent since the beginning of the year.”
Wahoo Bite Has Been One of the Biggest Surprises of 2026
Among the species generating the most attention this spring has been wahoo.
Normally associated with transitional periods and warmer offshore currents, larger wahoo have continued showing up consistently around ledges, drop-offs, temperature breaks, and cleaner blue-water zones surrounding Los Cabos. Several recent reports highlighted trophy-sized fish landed while trolling high-speed lures and live bait presentations offshore.
At the same time, dorado fishing has remained unusually steady for spring conditions, with many captains reporting fish holding around floating debris, current lines, and warmer offshore water pushing close to Baja’s coastline.
Cabo Continues Building Its Reputation as a Year-Round Fishery
The consistency of this year’s conditions is reinforcing what many experienced Baja anglers already know — Cabo San Lucas is no longer viewed strictly as a seasonal fishery.
Instead, the region continues evolving into one of the few destinations in the world where anglers can realistically target multiple pelagic species throughout nearly every month of the year.
Recent reports throughout Baja California Sur continue showing combinations of striped marlin, dorado, yellowfin tuna, roosterfish, wahoo, and occasional blue marlin all appearing within range during the same periods.
With calm seas, warm water, and favorable ocean conditions continuing into May, many captains expect the offshore bite to remain productive as Baja California Sur moves closer toward its traditional summer big-game season.
For anglers planning upcoming trips to Los Cabos, 2026 is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting spring fishing seasons in recent years.