Frequently Asked Questions

We encourage and support responsible practices. We have been proud supporters of TBF – The Billfish Foundation (www.billfish.org) and the IGFA – International Game Fish Association (www.igfa.org) since 1999.
Join us in support of GUY HARVEY in the Art of Ocean Conservation.

YES – ALL visitors are required to have a valid passport for entry into Mexico. The following website www.travel.state.gov provides current and updated USA information. If you do not have a passport, please consider the time needed for passport processing and possible delays. Your local post office can provide passport processing.

We encourage the release of billfish during Non-Tournament fishing. Billfish species include Striped Marlin, Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Pacific Sailfish. The technique involved to release these pelagics is to revive them before release. Our crews are skilled in this technique. Observe what the crew does!

This policy applies to non-tournament charters only. If a charter group or individual does not appear on the date specified all monies paid are forfeited. If cancellation is received less than 24 hours prior to charter date, full balance will be charged.  If cancellation is received 30 days or more prior to boarding date full credit vouchers are issued. Vouchers are transferable and are valid for two years from date of issuance. If cancellation is received less than 30 days prior to first fishing date, credit would be subject to ability to re-charter confirmed boat/s. In the event the port captain or port authorities closes the port due to inclement weather, prior to marina departure, attempts will be made to reschedule during clients stay. If this is not successful, all monies paid will apply as full credit towards a future trip of equal or greater value. In the event the port captain or port authorities closes the port due to inclement weather, after marina departure, a proportionate pro rata amount of monies paid will apply as credit towards a future trip. In the event of mechanical malfunction, which prevents charter on intended vessel, client will be put aboard a vessel of comparable value. If only a greater value suitable replacement is available this will be arranged at no additional client cost. We reserve the right to make a vessel change in the event of malfunction or mechanical failure. We sincerely appreciate your business and thank you for understanding our policies.

Swimming on the Pacific side can be EXTREMELY dangerous due to currents, riptides and powerful waves. ROGUE WAVES are a regular occurrence. Many beaches on the Sea of Cortez side have undertows which are not visible from the beach, dangerous breakers, rip tides, or deep drop-offs close to shore. There MAY NOT be posted warning signs and if they are they will be in Spanish! Our area was a fishing village first – golf added in the mid 1990’s. Old-timers can tell stories about there being a roped-off area in front of the old Hacienda Beach Resort for swimmers – way before the jet ski’s, wave runners or parasail activities were introduced. Please do not litter our beaches. Always take along a plastic trash bag for your trash. Help keep the beaches clean and beautiful. There are NO LIFEGUARDS repeat NO LIFEGUARDS. Please be aware of this for yourself and your children safety. When walking on the beach please be aware that TURTLES lay their eggs in nests here. Please DO NOT ride ATV bikes on the beach as you will not know when you are disturbing nests and destroying eggs. Regarding WHALE WATCH tours: PLEASE do not ask to see the whales – mamas or their calves – up close – be respectful. Feel free to call the office for additional information and/or explanation.

Billfish – MARLIN & SAILFISH are usually released “CR&R” stands for CATCH REVIVE & RELEASE.
Crew are skilled in process of release. If REVIVAL is required first mate will hold fish in water alongside boat by “bill” while captain moves boat at slow rate of speed forcing oxygen into the fish.

EDIBLE FISH such as Tuna, Dorado, Wahoo, Snapper, Grouper, etc. can be eaten. Rules set forth by governing authorities are followed by all crews of Team CABO MAGIC Sportfishing. We remind you this is Mexico & thus urge patience & understanding as sometimes rules & their enforcement change. Be assured our crews do what is required by governing agencies.

We respectfully remind you our crews are working for you & not recreationally fishing for themselves. A gratuitous donation of fresh fish is sincerely appreciated & shared with others.

Bringing fish home to the USA is generally accepted w/the following guidelines: Your ice chest or cooler must be hard sided – it cannot be Styrofoam. We respectfully suggest you check with your airlines for up to date information concerning fees, restrictions and any other pertinent information. Bring duct tape. Do not seal your ice chest until it has been viewed at the airport by airline officials. A “reasonable” amount of fish is permitted by Mexican Officials. Ice and/or frozen water bottles, are not permitted, and are subject to removal by airport officials. It’ always a good idea to check with your airlines for any specific size restrictions or conditions concerning bringing fish back.

Specific information provided on charter confirmation. Your time is tailored to your itinerary.
Dock gates are locked and require a pass to enter. All Crews and Staff have this pass. Our port opens at 6am and closes after sunset.

Our primary concern is your safety. Beer and wine can be enjoyed in moderation.

Our policy is that “hard liquor” not be consumed on fishing excursions. “Hard Alcohol” : Tequila,. Vodka, Gin, Rum, Scotch, Whiskey, etc. unless you are on a vessel  which provided a full bar with additional staff.

If you are a friend of Bill W we are happy to accommodate you.

Private Parties such as Sunset Cruise, Sightseeing Tours, and Whale Watching is available aboard any of our vessels – with no fishing. Hard alcohol can be consumed on these cruises/tours. Luxury yachts have staff that attend to guests needs without sacrificing safety – and also provide additional seating areas.

Yes! Bring personal items for sun protection. The UV index is generally quite high. The reflection off the water will add to sun exposure. Remember to apply and reapply as needed. Capture “KODAK” moments — remember batteries, memory cards, and anything else your phone or camera needs. It might not be a bad idea to bring some TP or tissues ‘just in case’. A towel – getting sprayed by ocean water can be refreshing!

On most boats you will have a Captain and First Mate/Deckhand. Some of our yachts have additional crew members. From time to time a deckhand-in-training can also be aboard. Luxury Yachts have a 4-5 person crew team – including the culinary skills of an onboard chef, and a steward or stewardess.

All of our vessels are outfitted with tackle required to fish our waters. Some guests enjoy using a personal setup. You absolutely may bring your own if you wish!

Big game sportfishing is a hunt!

The captain will use the highest point on his vessel to watch for signs of action. Some boats have a bridge while others have a full tuna tower that puts the highest level 30′ above the water level. Think of ‘crows nest’ for a ‘birds eye view”.

Some species of birds are often an indicator of fish below the surface. Especially the bird called frigate whose height above the water can be indicative of where a fish may be below the surface. Bait fish jumping can be a sign that what you seek might be near.

Mostly, we use a method called trolling – pulling lures/artificials at varying rates of speed to entice fish interest.

Live bait is pitched to entice a ‘finning’ marlin, or when you encounter a ‘boiling’ school of fish.

Also, sometimes a hooked dorado is left in the water to catch the mate ..

Lots of magic techniques utilized by our crews! We encourage active participation by all guests aboard. Watch the water for signs such as birds, jumping fish, dorsal fins – these are important to point out to the crew. Good teamwork leads to good results!  #teamworkmakesthedreamwork

Local variety of bait fish. Macarela about 7 to 10 inches long. Sometimes chuhuilla or caballitos. Sardines as available.

Difficult to impossible to answer with accuracy. We can have calm seas or they can be 3′ to 5′. Keep in mind that we have two bodies of water crashing together, and, moving in opposite directions. The Pacific Ocean moves from west to east while the Sea of Cortez generally moves from east to west. For example, if there are winds originating from the north that are hit by a high or low pressure system in California this can affect our waters. Sometimes weather conditions experienced for prior years changes with no plausible explanation other than “That’s nature”.

Cruises such as sunset, whale watch, sightseeing last 2-1/2 hours.
Full day fishing charter lasts (8) hours.
Half day fishing charter typically lasts (4) hours. We offer you (5) hours.
Want a customized itinerary? Just ask !

Our ANNUAL FISH CHART indicates when a particular species is known to be in our region. Our waters are visited year round by most species. Each calendar year we are surprised by the catch of a species not known to be available at that particular time. The Athletes of The Ocean you are hunting do not exactly follow the monthly calendar and arrive and depart when they are moved to .. they are more inspired by moon phases, tides, water temperature changes and bait availability.

We accept Debit, Master Card, Visa, American Express and Discover credit cards. There is a small handling fee for processing. We offer several alternative methods which you can discuss with us – with necessary details provided to confirm your reservations. We do not accept travelers checks.

A monetary deposit is required. Without deposit, a reservation is held in good faith for a reasonable period of time. If no deposit is received, and we do not have continued communications, we will release that boat and make it available for charter.

We are delighted to work together with you to make your arrangements.
We ask several questions to ensure arrangements are appropriate to you/your group or party.

Call 011-52-624-237-4257

Call or Text 1-619-819-8634
Call Toll free 1-888-475-5337
Call our Mexico Direct Line dialing 011-52-624-237-4257  from anywhere in the world.

Click on the photo of any boat – the page will open to show more information specific to that vessel. OR if you prefer, you can complete our online Charter Request. We proudly set new standards for website business practices with this product in 1999. We will contact you promptly to discuss your request.

First and foremost, our crews are concerned with the safety of our VIP guests. Next they want to entertain you and ‘get you on the fish’. To succeed, a combination of effort, skill, timing and luck work together. It is very important to keep your wits about you while aboard any vessel. Sea conditions can go from ‘smooth’ to ‘choppy’ or even a rogue swell can appear seemingly out of nowhere. It is helpful to watch what the crew is doing. They’ll be working to find the fish. They are watching signs of action such as birds, surface bubbles, bait fish, jumping fish, fins & tails. Their eyes are trained & skilled in watching for the slightest sign of fish action. They will troll lures to catch the attention of fish. Sometimes the fish you are hunting will hit a trolled lure and sometimes the crew will pitch live bait to entice them. Our captains & mates can speak and understand English in various levels. Several take great pride in their ability to do so. ALL crews do their best to understand what you say to them. Some are more comfortable speaking their native language amongst themselves .Just as you might appreciate their effort to speak English to you, they do appreciate any effort made to speak Spanish. All of our crews speak fantastic Fish English! Our crews do what is necessary to maintain the boat & keep equipment functioning and operating properly.

The charters we arrange are boat specific. We do not double book boats – this was one of the first standard principles of business established – by us – in 1999. All crews are properly documented, licensed, and insured for charter. All carry US Coast Guard level safety equipment. Boats are inspected annually by the Port Captains Office. Owners provide proof of insurance to the Port Captains Office to maintain their charter license/permit. (“matricula”)

Owners of vessels are responsible for all operating costs associated with the charters we arrange. To confidently place VIP Guests aboard – Owners/Partners and crews are in alignment with our business practices and philosophies. “We treat everyone with dignity and respect”.

Tommy & Lori Garcia’s CABO MAGIC ® Sportfishing was officially established in 1999 and has been under this leadership and ownership since then. We trademarked the name in 2005. Tommy Garcia is called “El Milagro” by many locals. “El Milagro” means “The Miracle” – Tommy showed them, thru his leadership, how to blend and unite their unique culture with American Standards. His father, Tomas, was a pro soccer player for Team CHIVAS of Los Mochis, Sinaloa. Tomas came to the US in the 1940’s on a work visa. Tommy and life-long friend Len Aaron – Aaron Brothers Art Marts founder – shared their passion for sportfishing and began visiting in the mid 1970’s.