Nathan Russek Lands a Giant 54.5-Pound Dorado off Cabo San Lucas
By Arturo Chacón | Cabo Sportfishing Magazine
Some fishing trips are all about the plan.
Others remind you that the ocean always has one of its own.
Yesterday I had the opportunity to spend the day offshore with one of my good friends, Nathan Russek, aboard our 28-foot center console El Aferrado. The goal was simple: find a big pelagic fish. We loaded the boat with heavy tackle, rigged our favorite big marlin lures, and pointed the bow toward the Pacific.
Conditions couldn’t have been much better.
The water temperature was hovering around 90 degrees, the sky was mostly overcast, and a light breeze made for one of those days where you simply enjoy being offshore. About 10 miles off Cabo San Lucas, we had our spread of oversized trolling lures working perfectly behind the boat while we kept one eye on the rods and the other on the FIFA World Cup playing on the screen at the helm.
It wasn’t exactly the kind of day where the action came fast.
We spent hours covering water, looking for birds, current lines, bait, and any sign that could lead us to a trophy. Like so many days in offshore fishing, patience was becoming part of the adventure.
Then everything changed.
One of the rods folded over.
The reel started screaming.
Seconds later, an enormous bull dorado launched completely out of the water, lighting up the ocean with electric blue, green, and gold colors.
Right away we knew this wasn’t an average mahi.
After an exciting fight, our crew safely brought the fish aboard using a Morita’s Gaff, and once it hit the deck, everyone looked at each other with the same expression.
This fish was special.
Back at the scale, the giant bull dorado tipped the scales at an incredible 54.5 pounds, making it one of the biggest dorados we’ve seen this season and a new personal best for Nathan Russek.
What made this catch even more memorable was that we weren’t targeting dorado at all. We were pulling big marlin lures, hoping for a blue marlin, when the ocean decided to surprise us with a fish that none of us will ever forget.
Meet Nathan Russek
I’ve had the opportunity to fish with Nathan several times over the years, and one thing I’ve always admired is his passion for offshore fishing.
Away from the water, Nathan is a successful trial attorney specializing in commercial and civil litigation. Born in Tampico, Tamaulipas, he now divides his time between Mexico City and Cabo San Lucas. But if you ask him where he’d rather be, the answer comes quickly—offshore, chasing pelagic fish.
Fishing has been part of Nathan’s life since childhood. His father introduced him to the sport, taking the family on fishing adventures throughout Mexico long before modern electronics, satellite charts, and social media changed the way many anglers fish today.
Those early adventures created a passion that has only grown stronger over the years.
“I’ve always believed the ocean has a way of putting everything into perspective,” Nathan told Cabo Sportfishing Magazine. “Once you’re offshore, everyday problems become much smaller.”
That mindset is probably one of the reasons he’s become such a successful angler.
A Personal Best
Although Nathan has caught black marlin over 500 pounds, a 280-pound yellowfin tuna, trophy blue marlin, giant roosterfish, swordfish, and tarpon, this fish immediately earned a special place in his fishing career.
“This became my personal best dorado,” Nathan said. “Ironically, we weren’t even targeting dorado. We had been trolling for blue marlin all day when the outrigger rod suddenly came alive. The fish exploded out of the water, and right away we knew we were connected to something special.”
That perfectly describes offshore fishing in Cabo.
You can spend hours searching.
Hours waiting.
Then, in just a few seconds, everything changes.
That’s exactly why we keep coming back.
The ocean doesn’t owe us anything, but every once in a while, it rewards patience with a fish you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
Share Your Story with Cabo Sportfishing Magazine
Have you caught a monster fish in the waters of Baja California Sur? Whether it’s a giant marlin, yellowfin tuna, dorado, wahoo, roosterfish, grouper, swordfish, or any other memorable catch, we’d love to hear your story.
At Cabo Sportfishing Magazine, we believe every great fish has a story worth telling. Through our Angler Profiles series, we feature passionate anglers from around the world who share their experiences, unforgettable catches, and the memories that make sportfishing in Baja California Sur so special.
If you have an incredible catch, high-quality photos, or a story you’d like to share, send it our way. Your adventure could be featured in an upcoming edition of Cabo Sportfishing Magazine and shared with thousands of anglers who share the same passion for the ocean.
To submit your story, please include:
- Your best photos of the catch
- The species and weight (if available)
- Where it was caught
- The date of the catch
- The boat and captain (if applicable)
- The tackle, lure, or bait used
- A short description of your experience
Together, let’s preserve the stories, celebrate the anglers, and showcase the incredible fishing opportunities that make Baja California Sur one of the world’s greatest sportfishing destinations.
