Sport Fishing Deckhand & Guide

Responsibilities

• Assist the captain on sport fishing charter vessels: rig lines, bait preparation (live bait selection and handling, artificial lure rigging), rod management during trolling, and fish-fighting assistance for charter guests
• Operate the fishing chair and outrigger equipment: proper fighting chair and outrigger technique during blue marlin, sailfish, dorado, and yellowfin tuna fights — the deckhand's skill during a large fish fight directly determines whether the fish is successfully landed or lost
• Conduct fish release procedures: Los Cabos sport fishing practices catch-and-release for marlin and sailfish — proper release technique, including reviving an exhausted fish before release, is a required skill that the deckhand executes correctly every time
• Manage the catch box and ice for keep species: dorado and yellowfin tuna that guests choose to keep require immediate icing — the deckhand manages this during the fishing day to maintain fish quality
• Prepare and serve lunch and refreshments during charter: multi-hour sport fishing charters typically include a prepared lunch and beverage service — the deckhand manages this alongside fishing duties
• Conduct post-charter vessel cleaning, equipment maintenance, and overnight rigging preparation

Requirements

• Strong seamanship and comfort on open-ocean sport fishing vessels
• Live bait and artificial lure rigging technique
• Catch-and-release marlin and sailfish handling proficiency
• Sea of Cortez and Pacific swell conditions comfort
• English conversational ability for the primarily North American sport fishing charter client base

Benefits

• IMSS, aguinaldo, paid vacation + premium
• Housing allowance MXN 2,000/month
• Fixed monthly + charter gratuity (Los Cabos sport fishing tips are among the highest in Mexico's marine recreation industry)
• Fishing access during off-season and non-charter days with captain permission
• Career pathway to Captain with SEMAR licensing support

Work environment

Sport fishing charter deckhand in Los Cabos marina. Open-ocean fishing in the Sea of Cortez and Pacific, with one of the most productive sport fishing environments in the world as the workplace.

About the role

The deckhand who spots a marlin tail-walking 80 meters behind the boat — who grabs the chair, shouts "fish on!" to the captain, and hands the rod to the guest in one fluid sequence — is experiencing the most adrenaline-efficient moment in professional marine recreation. The 4-hour fight that follows, managing the angler through exhaustion while the captain maneuvers the boat, ends either in a photograph and a release or in the catch box. Either way, the charter guest goes home telling a story they'll tell for years.