San Felipe is one of the top sport fishing destinations on the Sea of Cortez. Jacques Cousteau called these waters “the world’s aquarium,” and for anglers, the description holds up. The diversity of species, the accessibility of the fishing grounds, and the affordability of charter boats make San Felipe a place where you can have a world-class fishing day without the world-class price tag.
What You’ll Catch
The Sea of Cortez off San Felipe holds a remarkable variety of game fish. What’s biting depends on the season, but there’s something worth chasing year-round.
Winter (November – March) Winter is excellent for bottom fishing. Rock cod, sheepshead, spotted bass, grouper, and cabrilla are all active in the cooler months. The pace is more relaxed, but the fishing is steady and productive. San Felipe has been described as “a winter wonderland for anglers,” and many long-term visitors time their stays around the winter bottom fishing season.
Spring (March – May) Spring brings the first big runs of the year. Yellowtail start showing up in force, along with corvina and white seabass. Corvina season — roughly March through May — is one of the most anticipated periods on the San Felipe fishing calendar. Shore anglers at Las Arenas Beach target corvina and halibut during these months.
Summer (June – August) Summer is peak season. The water warms and the big pelagic species move in. Dorado (mahi-mahi), yellowfin tuna, striped marlin, and roosterfish all become available. Giant yellowtail are still around. Amberjack and pargo round out what is arguably the best fishing period of the year. June is prime time for yellowfin tuna.
Fall (September – November) Dorado fishing remains strong into fall. Blue marlin and sailfish appear in the warmer months from May through November, with fall offering some of the best shots at billfish. As the water begins to cool toward November, the cycle starts to shift back toward bottom species.
Charter Options
San Felipe’s fishing fleet ranges from small pangas to larger sportfishing boats. A panga is an open fiberglass boat, typically 22–26 feet, powered by an outboard motor. Pangas are the workhorses of San Felipe fishing — simple, seaworthy, and effective. Most panga trips run with a local captain (pangero) who knows the waters intimately.
Basic panga charters start at around $35 per person, making San Felipe one of the most affordable sport fishing destinations in Baja California. Half-day trips are common, though full-day and multi-day excursions are available for anglers who want to reach deeper water or target pelagic species farther offshore.
For longer-range trips, Tony Reyes Fishing Tours is one of the most established charter operations in San Felipe. They run multi-day trips into productive offshore waters and have a long reputation for putting anglers on fish.
Local pangeros can be hired directly at the harbor. Many have been fishing these waters their entire lives, and their knowledge of the reefs, currents, and seasonal patterns is hard to match with electronics alone.
Shore Fishing
You don’t need a boat to fish in San Felipe. Las Arenas Beach is a productive shore fishing spot, particularly during corvina and halibut season in spring. Surf casting from the beach is straightforward — the gradually sloping seafloor and the sandy bottom make it accessible even for less experienced anglers.
Clam digging is another option that doesn’t require a boat or much gear. San Felipe’s extreme tides — the water can recede over a kilometer at low tide — expose vast tidal flats where clams can be dug by hand. It’s a popular activity for families and a good way to source dinner.
Isla Konsag
About 45 minutes by boat from San Felipe’s coast sits Isla Konsag (also spelled Consag), a dramatic volcanic rock that rises more than 90 meters straight out of the sea. The island is bright white from millennia of accumulated seabird guano, and it’s surrounded by productive fishing grounds.
The waters around Isla Konsag hold yellowtail, grouper, cabrilla, and other species. The island itself is a major nesting site for thousands of seabirds — pelicans, gulls, and cormorants — and a large colony of California sea lions hauls out on the rocky platforms at its base. Landing on the island isn’t permitted, but circling it by boat while fishing the surrounding waters is one of the most memorable experiences available from San Felipe.
What to Bring
Most charter boats provide rods, reels, tackle, and bait. If you have your own gear and prefer to use it, bring it along. Beyond fishing equipment, pack:
- Sunscreen and a hat — the sun on the Sea of Cortez is intense
- Polarized sunglasses
- A light jacket or windbreaker for early morning departures
- Water and snacks (some charters provide coolers, but confirm in advance)
- A valid Mexican fishing license (your charter operator can usually arrange this)
- A camera
Cook Your Catch
One of the best parts of fishing in San Felipe is eating what you catch. Several restaurants in town will take your fresh fish, fillet it, and prepare it however you’d like — grilled, fried, in tacos, or as ceviche. You provide the fish, they provide the sides and the preparation. It’s a San Felipe tradition and one of the most satisfying meals you’ll have. Read more about San Felipe’s seafood scene.
More about San Felipe: