San Jose del Cabo Monthly Fishing Log — October 2026 Recap

October’s defining story was adaptation: fishing resumed after storm-related closures, yellowfin tuna remained a serious possibility, and changing bait supplies and weather repeatedly reshaped the most practical approach.

This monthly review covers October 1–31, 2026, drawing together documented regional observations rather than treating every reported catch as an Exotic Fish Cabo result. The final reporting week also extended into November; observations specific to November 1 are excluded from this October recap.

Weather and Ocean Conditions

October began without normal departures. The port closure that started in late September continued through October 4, following storms that brought swell, wind and rain. Fishing resumed on October 5, but unsettled, discolored water initially limited opportunities. As visibility improved, fishing activity recovered.

Water remained unusually warm during the first half of the month, with reported readings near 90°F. By mid-October, windy periods coincided with readings around 87–88°F in some areas. Late-month reports described approximately 87–89°F, followed by readings of 86–88°F across several grounds during the October 26–November 1 reporting interval. Those final readings are not a day-by-day measurement series for October alone.

Wind, strong current and renewed heavy rain were important operational constraints. Another port closure affected October 28–29, with fishing resuming October 30 despite further rain. These interruptions matter when interpreting the month’s catch reports: fewer fishing opportunities do not necessarily mean fewer fish were present.

Yellowfin Tuna: From Vinorama to the Gordo Banks

Vinorama was a useful early-October reference point for yellowfin tuna. Once the water began clearing after the reopening, reports described fish commonly in the 25–55 lb range, with some much larger individual catches. One reported tuna weighed about 185 lb on October 9.

The Inner and Outer Gordo Banks also held yellowfin tuna, although early-month action there was less dependable. A separate fish of about 190 lb was reported at Inner Gordo on October 10. These are individual regional catches, not expected charter results.

By the middle of October, fishing at Vinorama had become less predictable. Tournament activity increased pressure on several grounds, while live sardines became harder to obtain. Later in the month, a tuna weighing about 180 lb was reported from Vinorama on October 20, even as many outings found only limited tuna activity.

Toward October’s end, reports pointed to renewed opportunities around Inner Gordo, with chiwili and squid among the baits used. The final reporting interval also described quality tuna around both Gordo Banks. Because that report spans October 26–November 1, its undated catch totals cannot reliably be assigned to October alone.

Wahoo, Dorado and Billfish: Different Levels of Evidence

Wahoo were not a consistent target in the middle of the month. By October 19–25, however, some fish were being reported from trolling efforts across Vinorama, San Luis, Iman and El 25. Diving lures and rigged ballyhoo featured in those efforts, with most reported wahoo in that week around 15–25 lb.

The report spanning the final days of October and November 1 described further wahoo activity on eastern grounds, but the exact distribution of catches between the two months is not documented. This is a promising late-month signal, not evidence of a reliably strong October wahoo bite.

Dorado remained notably scarce in the documented reports. Occasional striped marlin and sailfish were encountered while trolling, but those encounters do not establish a consistent billfish pattern for private outings.

Rocky Grounds Offered an Alternative

When tuna fishing became difficult, bottom fishing supplied a different option. Iman Bank and La Fortuna produced a mix of snapper, grouper, amberjack and triggerfish early in the month. Mid-October reports added activity around San Luis and El 25, including snapper varieties and leopard grouper.

Jigs and skipjack presentations featured in the observations, although strong current sometimes made precise fishing around rocky structure difficult. Later reports described dogtooth snapper and large grouper. These individual successes should not be mistaken for consistent catches across all days.

Fishing Conditions Summary

Fishing Outlook

The October record supports a flexible strategy rather than a prediction of easy fishing. Tuna remained the main offshore attraction, but the preferred grounds, bait options and fishing conditions changed through the month. Where live sardines were scarce, anglers used alternatives including dead sardines, squid, chiwili and skipjack. Trolling for wahoo or working suitable bottom structure provided other possibilities when conditions allowed.

Late-October cooling and wahoo reports are worth monitoring, but neither guarantees a continuing November trend. Current port status, wind, swell, bait supply and daily fishing observations should guide any future trip.

For more detail on the progression through the month, see the existing weekly reports: September 28–October 4, October 5–11, October 12–18, October 19–25 and October 26–November 1. The two overlapping reports contain observations outside October and should be read with that distinction in mind.

Monthly Fishing Highlights

• October 1–4: The port remained closed; no normal fishing departures were documented.
• October 5–11: Fishing resumed, water clarity improved, and yellowfin tuna and bottom-fish opportunities were reported.
• October 12–18: Wind, current and shrinking live-sardine supplies made fishing more difficult, despite some tuna and bottom-fishing activity.
• October 19–25: Tuna catches varied sharply; Inner Gordo showed renewed signs of activity and wahoo began appearing in reports.
• October 26–31: Additional weather closures interrupted departures; reports covering this period and November 1 described tuna and wahoo opportunities but do not assign every catch to an October date.

Plan Your Private Fishing Charter

Exotic Fish Cabo offers private fishing trips departing from Puerto Los Cabos Marina in San Jose del Cabo. Browse our private fishing charters to explore the options, or contact us to discuss the current conditions and your fishing priorities.

Not all reported catches are attributable to Exotic Fish Cabo. Fishing results are never guaranteed.