A few weeks ago we wrote about private boat charters in Loreto as the complete Sea of Cortez escape — fishing, snorkeling, whales and island beaches all on one panga. The most common reply from our students was a single, specific question: "OK, but if I only want to fish, how does it work?" This guide is the answer. It is about one thing only: the fishing charter in Loreto, what you can catch in each season, and how to use your hours on the water.
If you want the beaches and the sea lions instead, we wrote a separate guide to snorkeling in Loreto and the island beaches. Keep reading if you want a bend in the rod.
Why a surfer ends up on a fishing charter in Loreto
Banderas Bay has a quiet stretch each year. The northwest swells stop, the south swells have not settled in yet, and the instructors at our school start talking about fish. For many Vallarta surfers the flat-water destination is Loreto, a small town on the Sea of Cortez side of the Baja peninsula. There are no waves because the peninsula blocks the Pacific swell. What it has is some of the most productive fishing water in Mexico, just a short run from the harbour.
Surfing also teaches most of what fishing asks of you. You learn to watch birds working the surface, to notice where current lines meet and to read colour changes in the water. You learn that glassy mornings are the best part of the day. Plenty of surfers are good anglers the first time they pick up a rod, because they already know how to watch the ocean.
Fishing Charter in Loreto: the boat, the captain and the hours
We send people to Loreto Star Adventures, a one-boat, owner-run operation that fishes the waters of the Loreto Bay National Marine Park. There is no fixed "fishing package" and nobody else's itinerary: a fishing charter in Loreto with them is simply the boat, the captain and your hours. You rent the whole boat, the captain and the hours, and your group decides how the day goes.
The Loreto Star, a private fishing boat in Loreto
The boat is the Loreto Star, a private fishing boat in Loreto built on the classic Baja panga design. It has a bimini for shade and room for up to six guests plus the captain. For this water a panga is the right choice: it gets close to rocky points and drop-offs, it can troll slowly along a weed line and it runs back to the harbour quickly. A big sport-fisher is the right tool for 40 miles offshore, but most of the good fishing in Loreto is much closer, near islands you can see from the malecón.
- Guests: up to 6 plus the captain, so four anglers fish comfortably and two more can ride along.
- Hours: booked by the hour with a 5-hour minimum, departures between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm. If the group wants to head back early, you can.
- On board: captain, fuel, life jackets, rods, reels, tackle and bait. You are welcome to bring your own rods.
- Price: quoted by WhatsApp for the whole boat rather than per person. There are no prices online and no online payment.
The captain is half the catch
Every surfer knows a local who can read a break you have surfed a hundred times and still see things you miss. Fishing captains are the same. On a small boat the captain decides where to fish, when to move and what to put in the water. Most of the value of a charter comes from that knowledge of the grounds, including where the yellowtail are holding this week and which weed line has dorado under it today.
Loreto sport fishing calendar: what bites, and when
Loreto sport fishing is seasonal. The table fish close to the islands bite all year, and the headline species arrive in turn. Here is the calendar the operator publishes, along with our notes on how to plan around it. For more detail, see their Loreto fishing calendar.
Yellowtail — December to April
Yellowtail is the winter target. They are strong fish that pull hard and hold on the high spots and rocky points around Isla Coronado and Isla del Carmen. If you have hooked a solid set wave at Punta Mita you already know the feeling of a yellowtail's first run. Winter mornings on the water are cool, so bring a windbreaker.
Dorado (mahi-mahi) — June to October
Dorado is Loreto's signature summer fish. It is fast, acrobatic and bright green and gold, and it is one of the best fish you can eat. The captain trolls for dorado along the current lines and floating weed between the islands. If you are planning a summer trip around a fishing charter in Loreto, dorado is the fish to target.
Roosterfish — May to October
Roosterfish hunt along the beaches and points, often in shallow water, and they are on the bucket list of many anglers. They are caught, photographed and released. Surfers have a head start here, because they understand how fish use the shallows and the edges of the sand.
Cabrilla, snapper and grouper — all year
This is bottom fishing and rock fishing close to the islands. It gives families and first-timers steady action instead of a long wait for one big fish, and it is the reason a fishing charter in Loreto works in any month. Children do well here because something is always biting.
Marlin and sailfish — July to October
Billfish are further offshore, so you need a charter of eight hours or more. Like roosterfish, they are released. If you have already fished for billfish out of Nuevo Vallarta, this gives you a Sea of Cortez version to compare. We describe that side of Banderas Bay in our guide to a fishing charter in Nuevo Vallarta.
How many hours? Choosing your Loreto fishing charter length
Hourly booking lets you match the trip to your group. It works much like choosing a surf spot based on the swell. Here is how the operator describes the options:
The captain leaves the harbour early, when the Sea of Cortez is usually flat. By mid-morning you are working the islands, and the boat heads back in the early afternoon before the wind picks up. Surfers will recognise the pattern: the best conditions come early and the wind arrives later.
How a fishing charter in Loreto actually runs
Here is a typical six-hour day in winter, based on how the operator describes its trips:
- Around dawn — meet at the Loreto marina. Life jackets, rods and bait are already on board. The Sierra de la Giganta turns pink behind the town.
- First 20–25 minutes — run north toward Isla Coronado. The captain watches for birds, boils and dolphins, and between January and March for whale blows as well.
- Morning — fish the high spots and points for yellowtail, then drop to the bottom for cabrilla if the bigger fish are slow.
- Late morning — anchor in a sheltered cove and have a snack. Everyone who packed a mask jumps in.
- Early afternoon — run back to the marina before the wind, with the cooler heavier than it was in the morning.
Licences, park rules and catch-and-release
These rules are simple, but they matter, especially inside a protected area.
Mexican sport fishing licence
Anyone who fishes needs a Mexican sport fishing licence, sold by the day online. Loreto Star Adventures explains how to get one when you book, so just follow their instructions. Buy it before the trip, because the islands have no signal and no shop.
Loreto Bay National Marine Park
All the fishing happens inside the Parque Nacional Bahía de Loreto, which covers more than 2,000 km² of sea and five islands and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Each visitor pays a small daily park bracelet fee, which the operator collects on the day and passes to CONANP, the park authority. The boat follows the park's rules on where fishing is allowed.
What goes back in the water
Roosterfish, billfish and anything undersized are released. Legal-size table fish such as dorado, yellowtail and cabrilla can go home with you. Surfers take care of their home breaks, and a good fishing captain takes the same care of the grounds.
From the boat to the plate: your catch in Loreto
This is one of the best parts of the day. Take your dorado or yellowtail back to town, and most restaurants along the malecón will cook it however you like. Ask the captain which place he recommends. Sashimi at the table, fish tacos and a grilled fillet are all common choices, and after a morning on the water there is no better dinner.
Fishing charter in Loreto plus an island afternoon
Most groups combine fishing with other things. On a charter of eight hours or more, you can fish the morning and spend the afternoon on the white sand of Isla Coronado. The operator brings a shade tent, chairs and a cooler with ice for the beach. The same panga can also run out at sunrise from January to March for blue whale watching in Loreto. For all the island options in one place, see Loreto island tours, and for a wider trip plan, read their guide to things to do in Loreto.
Loreto vs. Banderas Bay for fishing: the honest version
We live on Banderas Bay and we love fishing it, so here is a fair comparison. Banderas Bay is big-boat country. The best billfish and tuna grounds, such as Corbeteña and El Banco, are a long run out, and a serious day there takes eight to ten hours. Loreto is panga country. The fish are twenty minutes from the dock around islands you can see from town, the water is flat and very clear, and a five-hour trip is a real fishing day. If you want one enormous fish, Vallarta has the offshore water. If you want steady action close to shore in very scenic surroundings, Loreto is easier.
What to bring on a Loreto fishing charter
- Your fishing licence (bought online before the trip).
- Polarised sunglasses and a hat that stays on at speed. Sun reflected off the water is stronger than people expect.
- A windbreaker for winter mornings, and a light long-sleeve layer in summer.
- Reef-safe sunscreen, water and snacks.
- A mask and fins if you think you might swim at anchor. Surfers usually bring them anyway.
- Cash for the park bracelet and for tipping the captain.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month for a fishing charter in Loreto?
It depends on the fish: yellowtail December–April, dorado June–October, roosterfish May–October, billfish July–October (offshore), and cabrilla, snapper and grouper all year.
How many hours should I book?
Five is the minimum and gives you a solid morning. Six is the best choice for most anglers. Book eight or more for billfish or for a fishing-and-beach day.
Do I need a fishing licence?
Yes. It is a Mexican sport fishing licence, sold by the day online, and the operator tells you how to buy it when you book.
Is gear included?
Yes. Rods, reels, tackle and bait are included, along with the captain, fuel and life jackets.
How much does it cost?
The price is quoted by WhatsApp for the whole boat, not per person. No prices are published online.
Can I keep my fish?
You can keep legal-size table fish, and a malecón restaurant will cook them for you. Roosterfish, billfish and undersized fish are released.
References: Loreto Star Adventures — Loreto sport fishing & private boat tours · Sport fishing in Loreto · The Loreto Star panga · Islands of Loreto Bay · Isla Danzante. All photographs courtesy of Loreto Star Adventures.
