What more could you ask for than the freshest fish tacos, a beer, and a sunset ocean view? Nothing really… Well, maybe knowing the fact that you caught the fish in those delicious tacos while spearfishing in Baja Mexico.
Anyone can recreationally spearfish in the ocean throughout the Baja Peninsula as long as they have a fishing license. Some of the most popular places to spearfish in Baja are the remote beach of El Canejo, the calm waters of La Ventana on the Sea of Cortez, and the greater Cabo Area. All of the spearfishing in Baja is safe, offers a variety of fish species to spear, and makes for a good personal challenge.
Read on to discover the best areas to go spearfishing, get a long list of potential fish to spear, and answers to the most frequently asked questions about spearfishing in Baja, Mexico.
Heading home after a long day of spearfishing near Cerritos Beach in Baja. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Best places to spearfish in baja mexico
El Canejo
El Canejo has crystal clear, blue water with a flourishing fish community, perfect for spearfishing. The fish diversity ranges drastically, but you will be able to find a fish of your choice if you look long enough. The ocean around El Canejo is exposed to the Pacific Ocean so there can be a strong swell on occasion, making it difficult to reach the deeper water where the fish congregate. There are some local octopus and lobster fisherman, so please do not take from their income.
Hunkering down, playing the waiting game as Andrew stalks a fish. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
La Ventana
While La Ventana is known for its wind sports, the depth of the ocean are rarely explored for spearfishing. If you head north, or south, of the town of La Ventana, you will found wonderful reefs to spearfish at. These reefs are spread out, so be prepared to swim if you do not spot them with a drone beforehand.
Cabo Area
The Cabo area is growing in the spearfishing community, but still a novelty. Most tourist who come to Cabo to fish are hoping to go deep sea fishing on boats. Because of this difference, the waters around Cabo close to shore, are often great for spearfishing. If you explore around the cape, towards the Sea of Cortez, you will find several locations with great spearfishing.
La Paz Area
La Paz is the capital of Baja Sur and is heavily populated, however just outside of the La Paz city limits are incredible beaches perfect for spearfishing. The water is clear and calm on the Sea of Cortez, so grab your speargun, put on a thin wetsuit, and go for a swim! You will surely catch a fish.
San Juanico
Hidden in the middle of the Baja Peninsula is a small fishing and surf town called San Juanico. While the town is most famous for its surfing, the spearfishing is excellent. Just off-shore there are several reefs that house a variety of fish species ranging in size. The water is clear and the humans are friendly. Please note, San Juanico is a fishing town that specializes in octopus and lobster, so please do not take from their income.
Fish you can catch in Baja
Snapper (Pargo)
Being opportunistic feeders, this type of fish take bait and escape into the rocks. Catching them is tricky therefore, you need to always be on your feet when luring resistant big pargo.
Colorado Snapper, Dog Snapper, and Barred Pargo inhabit the Sea of Cortez, these will hit if you fish right above the rocks. Snappers have the ability to grow up to fifty pounds, but the majority in Baja are twenty pounds on average.
Best months for Snapper in Baja: April-July
Swimming through the surf of El Canejo to go spearfishing in Baja. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Yellowfin Tuna (Atun Aleta Amarilla)
They are the most commonly found and one of the most popular species of fish in Baja. To catch these you must sum up a great deal of strength because they’re tough ones to reel in. Make sure you are in possession of your top-notch equipment, live bait, and a good fight.
Ideally, yellowfin tuna is to be found through diving schools of birds, therefore, find a school of purposes, fling the live bait and wait for the excitement of your catch.
Best months for Yellowfin Tuna in Baja: July-October
Yellowtail (Jurel de Castilla)
In the springtime, when the water is a bit cooler, plenty of yellowtail fish make an appearance. Mackerel and live sardines are the most common bait of choice for this type of fish. When all fails and they refuse to surrender to live bait, blue, green, or yellow bait are sure to do it. Yellowtail weigh about ninety pounds, so muster your energy and prepare for a fast and steady reeling motion.
Best months for Yellowtail in Baja: February-April
Wahoo
Wahoo are characterized by being rapid swimmers, hard to catch, and delicious fish. They prefer the warm water and can swim up to 70mph. Reeling them in is a thrill, and what a challenge that is. Because of their extremely sharp teeth, you’ll need a wire leader that wouldn’t just break in their mouths.
Best months for Wahoo in Baja: after June, starting July.
Sailfish (Pez Vela)
Another fast, warm water fish that can travel up to 60mph, but is pleasing to the eye.Their dorsal sail gives them a mesmeric appearance, since they do tend to spend most of their time on the surface. Sailfish are not to be taken for granted as they are incredible fighters and will most likely run off your reel. The ideal technique for catching them is the ‘tease and switch’ approach.
Best months for Sailfish in Baja: after June, starting July.
Dolphin Fish (Dorado)
Unlike their bright appearance, a Dorado, or a Mahi Mahi can be quite aggressive. In their first year, a Dorado can grow up to 20 pounds in size. They can be caught using trolled lures, live bait and flies. Since they are in fact warm fish, smaller dorado may start visiting the Baja as early as May. If you’re up for a challenge, wait on the water to get warmer for larger ones.
Best months for Dolphin Fish in Baja: June-November
Landing a fish while spearfishing in Baja. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Need to Know Info Before You spearfish in baja
Cutting up the catch, to make ceviche, after a successful spearfishing outing. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
CAN YOU SPEARFISH IN BAJA?
Yes, you can spearfish in Baja with a single speargun and not oxygen tanks.
ARE THERE LIMITS ON SPEARFISHING IN BAJA?
The limits for spearfishing are a max of 5 fish within the same species. A spear-fisherman can not fish for crustaceous, aquatic mammals, reptiles, amphibious, or mollusks.
DO YOU NEED A FISHING LICENSE TO SPEARFISH IN BAJA?
Yes, a fishing license is mandatory for all Recreational-sport fishing activity in Mexico for anyone over the age of 14 years old.
CAN I USE SCUBA GEAR TO SPEARFISH IN BAJA?
No! Spearfishing is not allowed with the use of scuba equipment in Mexico, and it can only be practiced while freediving. Spearfishing is a sport and the use of autonomous breathing removes the sporty part of it. With experience you will also discover that scuba can be a disadvantage since the larger predatory fish we target are usually scared by the bubbles of scuba gear
