Jacques Cousteau called the Sea of Cortez "the world's aquarium." He was not exaggerating. The waters off San Felipe hold some of the most diverse and productive fishing grounds in North America, and you do not need a $50,000 sport fishing boat to enjoy them.
Here is what fishing from San Felipe actually looks like -- from the pier to the pangas to the multi-day offshore trips.
What You Can Catch (and When)
The Sea of Cortez has fish year-round, but what you are catching changes with the seasons.
| Season | Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nov - Mar | Yellowtail, white seabass, lingcod | Peak season. Yellowtail up to 40 lbs in the Midriff Islands. |
| Apr - Jun | Yellowtail, dorado, grouper | Transition season. Water warms up, dorado start showing. |
| Jul - Sep | Dorado, roosterfish, snapper, triggerfish | Warm water species. Great inshore action. |
| Sep - Nov | Yellowtail, dorado, sea bass, snapper | Second peak. Fish are fattening up before winter. |
The star of San Felipe fishing is the yellowtail. The Midriff Islands area -- where the Sea of Cortez narrows between Baja and the mainland -- is known as "Yellowtail Alley." Fish in the 20-40 pound range are common, and they fight like they have somewhere to be.
Shore Fishing
You do not need a boat. The beaches and rocky shoreline around San Felipe produce corvina, triggerfish, and small snapper on a regular basis. Plenty of residents at La Hacienda walk down to the beach with a rod and bait from the local tackle shop and come back with dinner.
The malecon pier is a popular spot, especially in the early morning. Bring cut bait (squid or shrimp from the market works fine) and a medium-weight setup. You will not land a monster, but you will catch fish, and the sunrise from the pier is worth the trip even if you do not.
Shore fishing does not require a Mexican fishing license. That is a nice perk.
Panga Trips
A panga is a small open fishing boat -- typically 22 to 26 feet -- with an outboard motor and a local captain who knows the water. This is the most popular way to fish San Felipe. You hire the panga and the captain for the day, they take you to the spots, and you fish.
A half-day panga trip runs $150 to $250 USD. A full day is $250 to $400. That typically includes the captain, bait, and tackle. Some operations include the fishing license, others do not -- ask before you book.
The captains are worth every penny. They know where the fish are on any given day, they know the tides and currents, and they will put you on fish that you would never find on your own. A good captain is the difference between a great day and a long boat ride.
Multi-Day Offshore Trips
For serious anglers, the Midriff Islands trips are the main event. Tony Reyes Fishing Tours has been running six-day trips out of San Felipe for over 50 years -- the only multi-day operation departing from here. They run March through October and target yellowtail, grouper, and whatever else is running.
These trips are not cheap, but people book them a year in advance for a reason. If you have ever wanted to pull a 40-pound yellowtail out of some of the most beautiful water on earth, this is how you do it.
Licenses and Rules
A Mexican fishing license is required for anyone on a fishing boat, even if you are just along for the ride and not fishing. Licenses are available daily, weekly, monthly, or annually. Your panga captain or charter operation can usually arrange one for you.
Catch limits exist and are enforced, though not as strictly as in the U.S. The general rule: take what you will eat. The Sea of Cortez is healthy, but it is not bottomless. Responsible fishing keeps it that way.
What to Do With Your Catch
If you caught it, you are eating it. That is the rule. And the best way to eat fresh yellowtail or dorado is the simplest -- grilled with lime and salt, maybe some garlic butter if you are feeling fancy. Several restaurants in town will cook your catch for a small fee. Walk in with a yellowtail, walk out with dinner. There are worse ways to spend an evening.
Fishing is one of the main reasons people fall in love with San Felipe. It is accessible, it is affordable, and the fish are there. If you want to see the community where a lot of these fishermen live when they are not on the water, take a look at the homesites at La Hacienda. Rod storage not included, but there is plenty of room.