Big fish start at sunrise. Pacifictime Sports Fishing is a focused Cabo San Lucas charter that leans hard into finding running fish with local pros like Captain Paulo and Eddie, starting early so you’re on the water right when the day wakes up. I also like the relaxed return with your catch, since you can take it home (or use port options to clean and package it). One thing to weigh: the trip price doesn’t cover everything, so you’ll want cash ready for fishing licenses and live bait, and you may find the engines pretty loud (earplugs can be smart).
This is private sportfishing for up to 6 people, priced per group at $799, with trips listed as about 5 hours (and also offered in an 8-hour option). On the boat, it’s mostly trolling big gear rather than casual line-casting, so the experience is about teamwork and timing—plus the chance to see whales and dolphins as a bonus when conditions line up.
In This Review
- Key Things I’d Bet On Before You Book
- Pacifictime Sports Fishing in Cabo: What You’re Actually Booking
- Getting to the Boat: O Dock 2 and the Early Morning Rhythm
- On the Water From 6:00 am: Trolling for Marlin, Tuna, Wahoo, Sailfish
- Crew Work and English: Captain Paulo, Eddie, and the Team Approach
- After You Catch: Ice, Cooler, and Getting Fish Dinner-Ready
- Value, Extras, and the Cash Checklist
- Who This Charter Suits Best in Cabo
- Should You Book Pacifictime Sports Fishing in Cabo?
- FAQ
- What time does the fishing trip start?
- How long is the trip?
- Is this a private tour?
- How many people can be in a group?
- What is included in the price?
- What is not included?
- Where do we meet for the trip?
- Do they pick you up from your hotel?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- What’s the cancellation policy if weather is bad?
Key Things I’d Bet On Before You Book

- Private group of up to 6: less waiting around, more real time with the crew and your lines in the water.
- Early 6:00 am start: Cabo fishing is won in the morning hours, and you’ll be moving fast.
- Trolling for big game: expect rod setups, crew hustle, and the chance at marlin, sailfish, tuna, wahoo, and more.
- English-speaking captains and mates: Captain Paulo’s English is repeatedly praised, which matters when you’re first-timing.
- Your catch is the whole point: ice and a cooler are included, and cleaning options can help you get dinner-ready.
- Extra charges are real: license and live bait aren’t included, and you may see other small marina fees depending on how you’re handled.
Pacifictime Sports Fishing in Cabo: What You’re Actually Booking
You’re booking a private Cabo San Lucas fishing trip with Pacifictime Sports Fishing, designed around one idea: get you into the action quickly and keep searching until the bite shows up. The boat is a 34 ft Blakfin, and the experience is offered in two time lengths, roughly 5 hours (commonly what’s booked) or an 8-hour charter if you want a longer day on the water.
The price is per group, not per person: $799 for up to 6 people. That’s usually where this becomes good value—especially if you have a family or a small group that can split the cost. If you’re traveling solo, you’ll still pay the group rate, so the math changes. In that case, I’d compare it against per-person charters and only book if you’re set on the private setup.
This is also a “you tell us what you want” style of fishing. Multiple trip notes mention the crew taking requests seriously—like targeting marlin or adjusting when the day’s fish pattern shifts. That matters because the ocean doesn’t follow your schedule. A crew that adapts is what you want when the first spot doesn’t light up.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Cabo San Lucas
Getting to the Boat: O Dock 2 and the Early Morning Rhythm

The listed meeting point is O Dock 2 in Centro, Cabo San Lucas, with the activity ending back at the meeting point. Start time is 6:00 am, and the most useful part for planning is timing: you’ll be up early.
The tour highlight also says you can get pickup direct from your hotel, and many trips are described with an early pickup window (often around the 5:30–5:45 range). Practically, that means you should plan for a quick wake-up, not a slow vacation morning. If your lodging is easy for drivers to reach, hotel pickup is likely the smoothest option.
Two practical details that can save you stress:
- Bring cash for what isn’t included (licenses and bait are the big ones).
- Show up ready to go, because the whole point of a morning charter is getting lines in the water fast.
For reference, one trip note called out port handling fees and slip-area entry as something that may pop up at the marina. That doesn’t sound universal, but it’s a good example of why cash helps and why it’s smart to ask what you’re expected to pay on site.
On the Water From 6:00 am: Trolling for Marlin, Tuna, Wahoo, Sailfish

The fishing plan starts at 6:00 am, and the crew targets a mix of big game and reef-friendly species depending on what’s running. The tour description mentions marlin, tuna, wahoo, rooster, yellowtail snapper, and sailfish. In practice, the day can look like a mix of species and action levels—sometimes fast, sometimes slower—because the real skill is finding current and fish where they’re feeding.
What I like about this style is that it’s not pretending you’re out there on your own. This charter is crew-driven. The lines go in, the boat moves, and you’re getting help while you reel. Several trip notes describe multiple rods down at once and hooking several fish in the same window. That’s the kind of “I can’t believe it” moment you can’t manufacture, but a good crew increases the odds by working hard and staying mobile.
Also pay attention to how the trip is structured:
- It’s mostly trolling and running fishing setups rather than passive drifting.
- If you’re hoping for a lot of casting from your seat, you might find it’s more about reeling and assisting with jigs than throwing a rod all day.
- You can still talk with the crew about adding a jigging pause when conditions allow.
If you get motion sickness easily, bring your usual prevention. A couple of trip notes mention seasickness. The boat is doing real work out on the water, not a calm sightseeing loop.
Crew Work and English: Captain Paulo, Eddie, and the Team Approach

This is where Pacifictime Sports Fishing earns its high marks. Captain Paulo is repeatedly singled out for experience and decision-making, and Eddie (plus other deckhands such as Cesar, Armando, Eric, Julio, Ramon, and Josue in different notes) is described as hustling right alongside him.
Here’s what that means for you day-of:
- When fish are active, you’ll likely see quick hookups and multiple rods working at the same time.
- When fish aren’t cooperating, the crew keeps shifting strategy—moving to new spots, changing bait or trolling approach, and adapting to what’s showing up.
- If you’re new to offshore fishing, the crew tends to help you get through the steps without making you feel clueless.
Communication matters too. The tour is offered in English, and multiple notes specifically praise how well Captain Paulo explains things. That’s not just comfort—it’s also safety and control when a big fish hits and everyone needs to do the right job at the right moment.
One minor drawback worth flagging: an early trip note warned that the engines can be loud. If you’re sensitive to noise or you just like your ears un-ringing, consider bringing earplugs. It’s a small thing, but it improves the whole experience.
After You Catch: Ice, Cooler, and Getting Fish Dinner-Ready

Included on the trip: bottled water, ice, and a cooler. That’s a smart baseline because you’re bringing home meat you’ll want to treat well. Even if you’re not a chef, good handling matters.
Then comes the “what happens on land” part, which is often the difference between great memories and messy logistics. Many trip notes describe people helping transport fish for pictures and cleaning if you want it done. There are also options to fillet, vacuum pack, freeze, or send portions back to your hotel, usually for an extra fee.
A couple of reported examples from trip notes:
- Some people paid around $50 for port cleaning and bagging.
- Others mentioned filleting costs around $35, depending on how the fish was processed and where it was taken.
The key point for you: plan your day like a fishing trip plus a food logistics mission. Decide ahead of time how you want to handle your catch—take it back yourself, or use the port services so you don’t have to deal with storage or packaging on your own.
And yes, it’s not just about eating the fish. One of the best parts of a marlin or sailfish day is how much meat you can actually get, since large game fish can feed a group longer than you might expect.
Value, Extras, and the Cash Checklist

Let’s talk value honestly. At $799 per group (up to 6), the headline price looks steep until you break it down. If you can fill the group, it often becomes competitive for an offshore-style private charter, especially with a crew that’s actively trying to put fish in the boat rather than treating it like a slow cruise.
But the most important “value reality” here is that key items are not included:
- Fishing licenses
- Live bait
From the trip notes, the fishing license is commonly described around $20 per person (one note also mentioned a 200 peso per-person figure). Live bait shows up as roughly $40–$45 in multiple accounts. Some people reported needing more cash than expected and being handed multiple cash expenses at the marina.
Here’s the cash checklist I’d use so you don’t feel rushed:
- Fishing license per adult
- Live bait (plan for at least one bait purchase, and possibly more depending on how the day goes)
- Tips (often expected for a crew that works hard)
- Cleaning/packaging fees if you want port help (optional, but common)
- Any marina handling fees you’re asked about on site (ask ahead or be ready)
One negative note also criticized the lack of transparency about a marina-related payment and bait being an extra cost. You can reduce the risk of a mismatch by asking Pacifictime what you should expect to pay in total, based on how many people are in your group and the species you want.
Who This Charter Suits Best in Cabo

This trip fits best if you want:
- A serious offshore fishing day with professional crew work and a good chance at big-game action.
- A group setup where everyone can participate—reeling, helping, and staying engaged.
- A chance at more than one species rather than betting the whole day on one thing.
- Clear English communication so you’re not stuck guessing.
It also tends to work well for teens and families, especially for first-time ocean fishers, because crew help is part of the experience rather than an afterthought. Several notes describe teenagers reeling in major fish and having the kind of trophy moment you’ll remember long after the trip.
Where you might hesitate:
- If your dream is casting a line yourself for hours, this may feel more like trolling-driven sportfishing than hands-on angling from scratch.
- If you’re expecting constant conversation from the crew, you might find the working style can be quiet at times. The job is fishing first; chat is secondary.
- If you’re very sensitive to cleanliness or noise, read up on what you expect from a working sportfishing boat and prepare accordingly.
Should You Book Pacifictime Sports Fishing in Cabo?

I’d book this if you can handle a couple of practicalities: bring cash for license and bait, accept that the crew runs the action (trolling, not casting all day), and you’re excited by the chance to chase marlin and the other big-game species that show up in Cabo’s good seasons.
Before you commit, do these smart moves:
- Confirm your trip length: 5 hours versus 8 hours. Longer time usually means more chances to find the bite.
- Ask what the crew needs from you for the license and bait process so you aren’t guessing at the marina.
- Mention what you want to target (marlin, tuna, wahoo, sailfish) and ask if they’ll adjust if the first pattern isn’t working.
- If you’re noise-sensitive, bring earplugs.
- If you get motion sickness, plan for it.
If you want a private Cabo fishing morning with a team that works hard to get fish on the lines, Pacifictime is a strong bet—especially for groups up to 6 who want real sportfishing, not a casual cruise.
FAQ
What time does the fishing trip start?
The start time is 6:00 am, with the activity beginning that morning.
How long is the trip?
The experience is listed as about 5 hours, and it’s also offered as 5 or 8 hours.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. It’s listed as a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.
How many people can be in a group?
The price is per group for up to 6 people.
What is included in the price?
The included items are bottled water, ice, and a cooler.
What is not included?
Fishing licenses and live bait are not included.
Where do we meet for the trip?
The meeting point is O Dock 2, Centro, Cabo San Lucas, and the trip ends back at the meeting point.
Do they pick you up from your hotel?
The highlights say pickup is direct from your hotel, and the meeting point is still listed at O Dock 2 in Centro.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes, it’s offered in English.
What’s the cancellation policy if weather is bad?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.























