Big Tuna Ignite Excitement as Baja Gears Up for Bisbee’s

Cabo Fishing Update: Tuna, Bisbee’s and Port Charges

Improving action off San José del Cabo, contrasting conditions in La Paz and a debate over port charges shape an important week for Baja California Sur sportfishing.

By Cabo Sportfishing Magazine | October 12, 2026

The days before a major fishing tournament bring their own rhythm to Baja California Sur: crews check tackle, anglers finalize travel plans and the latest word from the fishing grounds takes on extra importance. This October, preparations also come after weather interruptions that have affected fleets differently along the peninsula.

The latest reports offer encouraging news from San José del Cabo, a more cautious picture from La Paz and several dates worth marking for anglers heading to Cabo, Loreto or Magdalena Bay. Meanwhile, updated port tariffs and newly released airport figures add context to the business of welcoming visitors to the water.

San José del Cabo: tuna action improves after reopening

Gordo Banks Pangas’ October 11 report says its fleet resumed fishing on October 5 after an extended weather closure. The first outings encountered murky water, but action improved as visibility began to recover.

At Vinorama, the operator reported yellowfin tuna mostly in the 25–55-pound range, caught on live and dead sardines. It also described a good sardine supply. At the Inner and Outer Gordo, action was less consistent, although some tuna were larger, with fish in the 60–80-pound range reported alongside individual catches exceeding 180 pounds.

Bottom fishing provided another option around Iman and La Fortuna, with snapper, grouper, amberjack and triggerfish in the mix.

These observations come from one fleet and specific fishing grounds. They are useful for trip planning, rather than a promise of what every boat will catch. Anglers should ask their captain about the latest bite, bait availability and conditions before choosing a target.

Source: Gordo Banks Pangas, October 11 fishing report.

La Paz: flexibility remains essential

The latest picture from La Paz is more challenging. Tailhunter Sportfishing’s October 10 report, covering October 2–9, describes repeated weather-related cancellations and difficult beach-launch conditions at Bahía de los Muertos. Its reported catches were dominated by smaller dorado, with bonito, barracuda, triggerfish and jacks also listed.

For visiting anglers, that makes a conversation with the local operator particularly valuable. Confirm the launch location, access and recent fishing results before making travel arrangements. A successful week near San José does not establish that La Paz, East Cape, Loreto or Magdalena Bay will offer the same conditions.

The report also offers the operator’s theory about warm water and fish distribution. That explanation should be treated as an interpretation of local observations, rather than a verified measurement of oxygen conditions or a scientific conclusion about the region.

Source: Tailhunter, October 10 fishing report.

Port charges draw attention in Cabo San Lucas

On October 1, the Diario Oficial de la Federación published notice of authorized infrastructure tariffs for the port of Cabo San Lucas. The notice distinguishes its own publication-day commencement from the tariffs’ stated commencement: twenty business days following publication.

Local reporting has described objections from the nautical sector and requests by FONMAR for a review of the charges. Those reports do not establish that the tariff authorization has been suspended.

For charter companies, yacht operators and tournament organizers, the practical question is how each charge applies to their actual activities. Written clarification of vessel categories, services, effective dates and billing is important before costs are passed on to visitors.

For guests, transparent quotations remain essential. Ask what is included in the advertised charter price and whether any separately payable port or other charges apply to the reservation.

Sources: Official October 1 tariff notice and reporting on FONMAR’s request for review.

A quieter September in the airport figures

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico’s October 6 release reports that Los Cabos’ September international passenger traffic fell 14.7% compared with September 2025. Total passenger traffic declined 7.5%. The release identifies reductions on routes connecting Los Cabos with Dallas–Fort Worth, Los Angeles and Phoenix, and notes that adverse weather partially affected airport operations late in the month.

These figures describe airport passenger movements, not the spending power of visitors or the number of fishing charters sold. They should not be read as a direct measure of luxury marine tourism demand.

They do, however, give local businesses a reason to follow their own booking patterns closely. Repeat anglers, hotel concierge relationships and clear communication about trip conditions remain valuable as tournament season gets underway.

Source: GAP’s September traffic release, published October 6.

Bisbee’s Offshore: the next departure is approaching

Bisbee’s official Los Cabos Offshore schedule places pre-registration on October 12, from 3–6 p.m. at Puerto Paraíso near the weigh station. Registration and bag distribution follow on October 13, from 3–7 p.m., with the captains’ meeting at 7 p.m. At least one team member must attend.

The three fishing days are October 14–16. Boats must be behind the starting line by 6:45 a.m. for the 7 a.m. start, and lines must be out at 5 p.m. Awards are scheduled for October 17.

With those dates close, teams should finish bait arrangements, licenses, tackle inspections and crew coordination. Anglers booking a tournament boat should also understand the separate costs and agreements for the charter, entry, jackpots and crew compensation.

Source: Official Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore schedule.

Loreto and Mag Bay extend the tournament calendar

Loreto’s Fundación fishing tournament was moved from October 2–3 to October 16–17, according to reporting quoting the municipal tournament director. Participants should reconfirm the program directly with organizers before committing travel or boats.

Source: Report on the Loreto rescheduling.

Farther west, Bisbee’s Mag Bay Mania offers a different format for November: an all-release billfish competition in which teams choose three fishing days during November 1–30. The registration and payment deadline is October 31 at 9 p.m. local time.

Teams must plan for both fishing and documentation. The official rules require qualifying videos to be submitted through CatchStat by 8 p.m. on each fishing day. Recording equipment, spare power, storage and dependable uploads therefore deserve early attention. Natural-bait rigs require non-offset circle hooks.

For tackle shops, this creates an opportunity to help competitors prepare compliant rigs and organize their equipment. For expedition guests, it makes connectivity and crew familiarity with the verification process useful questions when evaluating a package.

Source: Official Mag Bay Mania rules.

Plan around the latest local information

Baja’s tournament season offers plenty to look forward to, but the best preparation begins with the departure port and the most recent report from the captain. Verify navigation permissions, discuss realistic fishing options and leave flexibility where conditions demand it.

From tuna fishing off San José to tournament preparations in Cabo and release competition in Mag Bay, the coming weeks will reward careful planning as much as enthusiasm.