REVIEW · CABO SAN LUCAS FISHING TRIPS
Exclusive Fishing Experience in Los Cabos – Aboard the Phantom I
The best part of this Cabo outing is the quick run from the marina to open fishing water. After cruising past the Arch, you may be casting within 20 to 30 minutes, with a private 30-foot boat and a crew focused on your group alone. That saves precious fishing time compared with a crowded shared charter.
I like the small four-person limit, which gives you room to fish without fighting for a rail spot. I also like that the boat comes with fishing gear, outriggers, lifejackets, and a bilingual crew, so you do not need to bring a tackle box or guess your way through the day. The main catch is cost: $578 covers the boat for up to four, but licenses, a $25-per-person entrance fee, and gratuity are extra.
Key points before you book

- Private boat for up to four: You share the Phantom I only with your own group, not a boatload of strangers.
- A fast start to fishing: The Arch and Cabo coastline pass by before the boat reaches fishing water in roughly 20 to 30 minutes.
- Catch possibilities vary: Tuna, dorado, wahoo, marlin, and sailfish have all been associated with trips, but no catch is promised.
- Crew names to know: Javier, Freddy, Oman, Luis, and Mario are names connected with the operation, though your assigned crew may differ.
- Extra costs matter: Each adult needs a fishing license, and the $25 entrance fee is not included.
- Easy cancellation window: Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
Leaving IGY Marina aboard the Phantom I

Your trip begins at the East Dock, E Dock, at the marina in Cabo San Lucas. This is a practical departure point for a fishing charter, with direct access to the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez. The meeting point is also near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere in Cabo.
The Phantom I is a 30-foot Luhrs boat built for fishing rather than flashy sightseeing. That is good news if your main goal is time with a rod in your hands. The boat is described as comfortable for four passengers, a sensible number for the space and equipment involved.
The group limit is one of the strongest features here. On a shared boat, you can spend much of the day waiting for room or working around other lines. With only your own party aboard, you can set the pace of the outing and keep the conversation, snacks, and fishing plans within your group.
The package includes professional fishing gear and outriggers. Outriggers spread lines away from the boat, giving the crew more room to work several lines at once. Lifejackets are provided, and a bilingual crew helps keep instructions clear even when the action gets fast.
The description also lists round transportation. Since the stated meeting point is the marina, I would confirm exactly what this means when booking, especially if you expect pickup from your hotel. Do not assume that marina departure and hotel transfer are the same thing.
A few more fishing trips around Mexico worth a look
- Private Fishing Trip “All Inclusive” in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
★ 4.5 · 418 reviews - Pacifictime Sports Fishing in Cabos san lucas
★ 5.0 · 197 reviews - Private fishing charter Bertram 31ft 6 pax max if you don’t fish you don’t pay
★ 4.5 · 100 reviews
The first 30 minutes, Arch views and open water
The boat passes Cabo’s famous Arch on the way out. This is a pleasant bonus, but it is not the main event. The Arch gives you a recognizable Cabo view and a chance to take photographs before the fishing work begins.
Within about 20 to 30 minutes, the boat reaches its fishing area. That short travel time matters on a five-hour trip. A half-day charter can lose value if too much of it disappears into the ride out and back, so a quick run to the fishing grounds gives you a better share of active fishing time.
You will want to keep your expectations sensible. The crew can search productive water and set the boat up well, but fish do not follow a schedule. The trip information names several possible catches, including tuna, dorado, wahoo, marlin, and sailfish. Some outings may produce several fish, while another may bring only a close encounter or a quiet stretch.
That uncertainty is part of sportfishing. If you need a guaranteed catch, this is the wrong kind of activity. If you enjoy the process, the open-water setting, and the chance of a serious fish taking the line, the format makes sense.
Fishing for tuna, dorado, wahoo, and billfish

The fishing time is the heart of the experience. You can fish with the supplied equipment while the crew handles the boat, lines, and setup. The outriggers are especially useful when several lines are in the water and the crew is trying to cover more than one possible strike zone.
The catch possibilities are broad. Tuna and dorado can provide active fishing, while wahoo and billfish bring a more dramatic possibility. Past outings associated with this boat have included nine tuna and a dorado on one trip, a 250-pound yellowfin tuna on another, and blue marlin encounters and catches.
Those details show the range of the fishery, not a promise for your date. A 250-pound tuna is a major catch, and handling fish of that size takes teamwork. The crew names connected with successful outings include Captain Javier, deckhands Freddy and Oman, and guides or staff named Luis and Mario. Your crew may be different, but these names give you a useful point of reference when confirming your booking.
Marlin and sailfish are handled under a catch-and-release policy unless you choose to keep one as a trophy. This is worth clarifying before the lines go out. Ask the crew how the policy applies to the species you hook, and ask about any related fees or handling rules if keeping a fish matters to you.
The five-hour duration is suited to visitors who want a real fishing session without giving up a full day of a Cabo holiday. The supplied information also refers to full-day and half-day options, but the experience described here is approximately five hours. Confirm the exact length you are purchasing, since a longer charter would change both the fishing time and the price.
Why the private format changes the day

A private charter gives you control that a shared boat cannot. You can bring family members, close friends, or a small fishing team and avoid adjusting your day around strangers. That can be valuable if one person is a first-time angler and another wants to spend every available minute fishing.
It also makes the boat a better fit for a family or small group than for a large party. Up to four people is comfortable according to the description, but it is not a party boat. If you have five or six people, you will need to ask about another arrangement rather than expecting extra room.
The private format is also easier for mixed-interest groups. Someone can focus on fishing while another person enjoys the ocean views and Cabo’s famous rock formations. Still, the activity is built around fishing, not a broad sightseeing cruise. If nobody in your group wants to fish, choose a different boat experience.
The bilingual crew is another practical plus. Fishing instructions can become complicated when lines cross or a large fish comes close to the boat. Clear communication matters more than polished commentary at those moments, and bilingual service should help your group follow directions.
Same water, a different day out:
- Sportfishing Charters in Cabo San Lucas with Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing
★ 4.5 · 85 reviews - Private Half-Day Sport Fishing in Los Cabos
★ 4.5 · 75 reviews - Private Inshore Fishing Experience in Isla Mujeres and Cancún
★ 5.0 · 69 reviews - Costa Maya Sport Fishing
★ 4.5 · 64 reviews
What the $578 price really covers

The listed price is $578 per group of up to four people. If four people fill the boat, the base cost works out to $144.50 per person. That is a reasonable way to think about the price because you are paying for a private boat, crew, equipment, and an outing that does not add strangers to your group.
For two people, the math changes. The same $578 becomes $289 per person before the other charges, so this experience offers better value when you can fill all four places. A couple who wants a private boat may still find the arrangement worthwhile, but should compare it with shared charters before booking.
Budget for the required add-ons. One fishing license is required per adult, the $25 entrance fee is charged per person, and crew gratuities are not included. The available details do not give the license price or explain exactly what the entrance fee covers, so ask for the current total before departure.
The entrance fee alone adds $100 to a full group of four. That means the listed base price becomes at least $678 for four people before licenses and tip. The boat can still be good value for a small group, but the headline price is not the final amount.
Return to the marina after the fishing session

After fishing, the boat returns to the marina in roughly the same amount of time as the outbound run. You will have another chance to enjoy the water and Cabo views, but the return is mainly a practical finish to the charter.
The activity ends where it starts, at the East Dock, E Dock. That makes the day easy to plan around, especially if you have dinner, another tour, or a hotel transfer afterward. Leave some breathing room anyway. Fishing trips depend on conditions and the pace of the day, and a precise return minute is not provided.
Because the outing is private, the return ride can be a quiet way to close the trip or a chance to talk through the catch with the crew. The experience is not designed around a formal dockside program. Its value comes from the time on the water, the equipment, and the chance to fish Cabo’s offshore grounds.
Who will enjoy this Cabo fishing charter?

I would recommend the Phantom I most strongly to a family or group of friends who can fill all four spaces and want a focused fishing outing. The private setup keeps the day personal, and the five-hour length gives you a serious session without committing every daylight hour to the boat.
It also suits anglers who want the possibility of large fish. Tuna, dorado, wahoo, marlin, and sailfish are all part of the possible mix. The operation has been associated with strong catches, including multiple tuna, a large yellowfin, dorado, and blue marlin.
First-time anglers can take part because gear and a bilingual crew are provided. You should still expect active participation. This is not a ride where the crew does everything while you watch. You will need to listen, handle equipment, and work with the crew when a fish strikes.
I would be more cautious if your group has no interest in fishing, wants a guaranteed catch, or dislikes extra charges added to the base price. The private boat is a benefit, but it is most valuable when fishing is the reason you are booking.
Most travelers can participate according to the supplied details, and lifejackets are available. Specific information about mobility access, restroom arrangements, food, drinks, and fish cleaning is not provided, so ask before you commit if any of those details affect your plans.
Booking details worth checking first

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience is offered with a mobile ticket. Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.
The activity is usually booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 57 days. That does not guarantee every date sells out, but it is a good reason to reserve early if your Cabo schedule is fixed.
Ask these questions before paying:
- Is your booking the approximately five-hour trip or a full-day option?
- What is the current adult fishing license price?
- What exactly does the $25 entrance fee cover?
- Does round transportation include hotel pickup, or do you meet at the marina?
- Is your assigned captain or deckhand one of the named crew members, or another team?
- What is the current policy for keeping a marlin, sailfish, or other fish?
These are simple questions, but they prevent the most common surprises: a higher final price, the wrong trip length, or confusion about where to meet.
Should you book the Phantom I?
Book it if you want a private Cabo fishing trip for up to four, value a short run to the fishing grounds, and like the chance of serious catches without spending a full day at sea. The gear, outriggers, lifejackets, bilingual crew, and private format make the setup practical.
The main caution is price. Fill all four places if you can, then add licenses, the $25-per-person entrance fee, and gratuity to your budget. Go in expecting a well-run fishing attempt, not a guaranteed tuna or marlin.
For a small group that cares more about fishing than sightseeing, the Phantom I is a strong choice. For a couple watching every peso, a shared charter may offer better value. Either way, confirm the extra costs and exact trip length before you set your Cabo plans around it.
FAQ
Where does the Phantom I fishing trip begin?
The meeting point is the East Dock, E Dock, at the marina in Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico.
Where does the activity end?
The trip ends back at the same meeting point at the marina.
How long is the fishing experience?
The listed experience lasts approximately five hours. The information also refers to full-day and half-day choices, so confirm the exact option when booking.
How many people can join the private charter?
The private boat accommodates up to four passengers, and only your group participates.
What fishing equipment is included?
Professional fishing gear, outriggers, and lifejackets are included.
Is a fishing license included?
No. Each adult needs one fishing license, and licenses are available for purchase on-site.
Are marlin and sailfish kept?
Marlin and sailfish are handled under a catch-and-release policy unless you choose to keep one as a trophy.
What is the cancellation policy?
You receive a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.
Just added around Mexico
- Private Sport Fishing Charter Experience in Cabo San Lucas (5 Hours)★ 5.0 · 3 reviews
- Cabo San Lucas All-Inclusive Fishing Excursion★ 5.0 · 2 reviews
- 5-Hours Private Fishing Experience in Cruiser in Cabo San Lucas★ 4.0 · 6 reviews
- Puerto: Fishing Experience Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna or Dorado★ 5.0 · 2 reviews
- The best sport fishing★ 5.0 · 3 reviews
- Holbox: Traditional Fishing Tour with Ceviche Tasting★ 5.0 · 3 reviews
- Cabo Catoche Snorkel And Fishing★ 5.0 · 2 reviews
- Inshore Fishing 4-Hour Puerto Vallarta Charter★ 5.0 · 12 reviews
Cabo San Lucas Fishing Trips, compared.

Private Fishing Trip “All Inclusive” in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Read our review →
Sportfishing Charters in Cabo San Lucas with Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing
Read our review →
Private Yacht Ultimate Fishing and Snorkeling Adventure – 6 Hours
Read our review →
Private Half-day Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Cabo San Lucas
Read our review →
5-Hours Private Fishing Experience in Cruiser in Cabo San Lucas
Read our review →Browse the lists this tour appears in



