The Cabo Tuna Jackpot is back in Cabo San Lucas this week. The tournament runs November 4 to 7, 2026, with two fishing days on Thursday, November 5, and Friday, November 6, and an awards dinner on the Cruise Ship Pier on Saturday night. It has been held every year since 1999, and the organizers say it paid out more than US$1.4 million in 2025, which is why anglers take it so seriously.

The week at a glance

  • Tuesday, November 3: early check-in from 1 to 5 pm inside the Tesoro Resort.
  • Wednesday, November 4: registration from 3 to 6 pm at the Tesoro, with sponsors row at the Marlin Statue between Solomon’s Landing and Captain Tony’s, and the captain’s meeting at 7 pm.
  • Thursday, November 5, and Friday, November 6: shotgun start at 7 am, lines out at 4 pm, and boats must be past the marina mouth by 6 pm to weigh in.
  • Saturday, November 7: awards show dinner from 5 to 9 pm at the Cruise Ship Pier, catered by Solomon’s Landing.

The organizers note that the schedule can still change, so check the official itinerary before you plan around a specific time.

A sunrise send-off for a good cause

The nicest way to join in without a rod is the Costa Start Boat. It leaves at 5:45 am from outside Baja Cantina on both fishing days, so you can cheer the fleet out of the harbor with breakfast and drinks on board. Tickets are sold at the Smiles International Foundation booth near the Marlin Statue, and the foundation says 100% of the ticket price goes to its work with children in Baja who have cleft lip and palate.

If you want to fish it

Base entry is US$1,000 per team, with up to six anglers, and there are optional daily jackpots for tuna, dorado and wahoo. The mail and wire deadline is November 1, but teams can still sign up online through CatchStat or at registration day. Keep in mind registration day doesn’t take cash, only credit cards, with a processing fee.

Thinking about a fishing trip of your own? Our guide to fishing in Cabo and the Cabo San Lucas fishing season page explain what bites when. And if big fish are your thing, read how the Bisbee’s Black & Blue filled the marina a couple of weeks ago.

Sources