San Jose del Cabo Fishing Log — August 31–September 6, 2026
Big Yellowfin Tuna at Gordo Banks, a 530-Pound Black Marlin and Hurricane Marie's Impact
Fishing around San Jose del Cabo during August 31–September 6, 2026, delivered an eventful combination of big-game fishing, productive bottom fishing and challenging weather conditions.
Inner Gordo was a highlight of the week, with four large yellowfin tuna reported early in the period, weighing between 155 and 210 pounds.
An impressive 530-pound black marlin was also landed on Tuesday, September 1, providing one of the most remarkable catches of the week.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Marie brought rain, thunderstorms and changing fishing conditions, affecting the yellowfin tuna bite around Vinorama.
Weather and Ocean Conditions
The first week of September brought changing weather conditions to the Los Cabos region.
On Wednesday, September 2, and Thursday, September 3, the area experienced the outer effects of Hurricane Marie.
Although the hurricane did not directly strike San Jose del Cabo, the region experienced moderate winds, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
Cabo San Lucas suffered significant flooding during the storm, while the San Jose del Cabo area experienced less damage, although some neighborhoods temporarily lost electricity.
These conditions influenced fishing activity, particularly around Vinorama, where the yellowfin tuna bite slowed considerably following the storm.
The September 6 regional report did not provide a specific water-temperature measurement or announce a port closure for this period.
Yellowfin Tuna — Big Fish at Inner Gordo
Inner Gordo provided some of the week's most impressive yellowfin tuna fishing opportunities.
On Monday, August 31, and Tuesday, September 1, regional fishing reports documented four large yellowfin tuna weighing between 155 and 210 pounds.
Live bulito and skipjack were among the baitfish used while targeting larger tuna around these offshore banks.
Fishing at Inner Gordo offered the possibility of combining bottom fishing early in the morning with a later attempt at larger yellowfin tuna.
Slow trolling live bait was one of the techniques used to target these fish.
Toward the end of the week, smaller yellowfin tuna weighing approximately 40–50 pounds were also reported around Inner Gordo.
These observations highlighted the variety of yellowfin sizes present in the area, although successful catches remained dependent on fishing conditions and individual encounters.
Black Marlin — An Impressive 530-Pound Catch
One of the most notable catches of the week occurred on Tuesday, September 1.
A 530-pound black marlin was landed after taking a live skipjack intended for tuna fishing.
The fish was hooked on tackle configured for yellowfin tuna rather than a dedicated heavy marlin setup.
According to the regional report, the fight lasted approximately three hours before the marlin was successfully brought to the boat.
This exceptional encounter highlighted the potential for large billfish around the Gordo Banks during the early September period.
However, such catches are uncommon and should never be considered typical or guaranteed results.
Yellowfin Tuna — Slower Action at Vinorama
While large yellowfin tuna attracted attention around Inner Gordo, fishing at Vinorama followed a different pattern.
During the beginning of the week, particularly Monday and Tuesday, live sardines continued producing yellowfin tuna activity.
However, the bite slowed significantly following the passage of Hurricane Marie's outer weather bands.
Toward the end of the week, some regional fishing outings were fortunate to land only one or two tuna.
Shark interference continued to complicate fishing, with hooked yellowfin sometimes attracting sharks before they could be landed.
The difference between the stronger early-week activity and the slower post-storm results made fishing at Vinorama particularly unpredictable.
Bottom Fishing — Cubera Snapper at Iman and Inner Gordo
As yellowfin tuna fishing slowed around Vinorama, more anglers concentrated on bottom structure.
San Luis, Iman Bank and Inner Gordo were among the locations where bottom fishing received additional attention.
Cubera snapper were the principal bottom-fishing species highlighted in the September 6 report.
Most of the reported cubera snapper were small to medium-sized fish.
Iman Bank and Inner Gordo provided the best reported bottom-fishing opportunities.
Some anglers focused on bottom fishing early in the morning before shifting their attention toward larger yellowfin tuna later in the outing.
This approach provided alternatives during periods when the tuna bite was less reliable.
Bait Availability — Sardines and Caballito
Live bait availability continued to influence fishing opportunities during the week.
Despite the heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Marie, regional reports indicated that sardines remained available.
This allowed fishing outings to continue using live sardines while targeting yellowfin tuna.
Caballito remained more difficult to obtain.
However, some medium-sized caballito schools were observed entering the marina channel around midday.
Live bulito and skipjack remained important alternatives for anglers pursuing larger yellowfin tuna around Inner Gordo.
Fishing Conditions Summary
Inner Gordo: Four large yellowfin tuna weighing 155–210 pounds reported on August 31 and September 1.
Black marlin: A 530-pound fish landed on September 1 after a three-hour fight using live skipjack.
Vinorama: Good yellowfin activity early in the week, followed by a significant slowdown after Hurricane Marie.
Smaller yellowfin: Fish weighing approximately 40–50 pounds reported at Inner Gordo toward the end of the week.
Iman Bank: Productive bottom fishing for small to medium-sized cubera snapper.
San Luis: Additional attention to bottom structure as tuna fishing became less consistent.
Shark activity: Continued interference with yellowfin tuna fishing around Vinorama.
Bait: Sardines remained available, while caballito supplies were more limited.
Weather: Hurricane Marie brought moderate winds, heavy rain and thunderstorms on September 2–3.
Fishing Outlook
The August 31–September 6 fishing reports demonstrated the contrast between large offshore game-fish opportunities and changing conditions closer to shore.
Inner Gordo produced impressive yellowfin tuna reports and an exceptional black marlin catch.
Vinorama continued to hold yellowfin tuna, although the bite became less consistent following the storm.
Bottom fishing around Iman and Inner Gordo provided useful alternatives when tuna activity slowed.
With September marking an active period of the Pacific hurricane season, anglers should pay close attention to current marine forecasts and official port conditions before planning any fishing departure.
Plan Your Private Fishing Charter
Exotic Fish Cabo offers 100% private fishing charters departing exclusively from Puerto Los Cabos Marina in San Jose del Cabo.
Whether you are interested in yellowfin tuna, marlin, dorado or other seasonal fishing opportunities, our private charters offer a personalized experience in the waters of Los Cabos.
Explore our private fishing charters to discover the available fishing experiences.
Ready to plan your next fishing adventure? Contact Exotic Fish Cabo to discuss your preferred fishing trip.
This Fishing Log summarizes historical regional fishing observations. Reported catches are not attributed to Exotic Fish Cabo. Fishing conditions vary, and catches are never guaranteed.
