Kite and Flying Fish Produce Tuna Off Cabo San Lucas Lighthouse

On January 6, 2026, a Cabo San Lucas charter scored a productive day of tuna fishing using papalote kite setups paired with flying fish as live flyer bait. The boat worked schools that began near 12 miles offshore and extended out to 17 to 20 miles, operating in the general area around the Cabo San Lucas Lighthouse. The crew returned to the dock with six solid tuna in the ice and a marlin fight that ended in a healthy release.

The operation highlighted two key tactical points for January tuna work around Cabo. First, kite presentations remain an effective way to present live or flyer baits over schooling tuna, keeping baits visible and accessible while allowing multiple lines to fish free-swimming offerings. Second, when schools are mobile, willingness to follow them — in this case from roughly 12 miles out to the 17–20 mile range — can make the difference between a handful of bites and a full cooler.

For anglers preparing to fish these waters this month, the charter's experience yields practical takeaways. Set up reliable kite rigs and have dependable flying fish or other live flyer bait on board. Plan fuel and time for runs up to 20 miles offshore and be ready to move with the schools rather than anchoring in one spot. Expect the occasional billfish hookup when targeting tuna on flyers; be prepared to handle and release any marlin in accordance with best handling practices.

This report matters to the local fishing community because it translates a successful charter day into actionable tactics that local captains, weekend anglers, and visiting anglers can replicate. The combination of kite presentation and live flyers is easy to scale: solo anglers can adapt with single-kite setups, while larger boats can run multiple kites to cover more water. The location around the Lighthouse remains productive when schools are present, but finding those schools still requires patience and willingness to cover open water.

As the month progresses, anglers testing kite-and-flyer techniques should monitor bait availability, maintain kite equipment, and plan for offshore runs. The January 6 charter demonstrates that, when conditions align and schools are located, the papalote-flying fish combination will deliver tuna to the boat.