Best Times & Seasons to Catch Fish in Isla Mujeres (Guide)
Isla Mujeres offers incredible fishing. Knowing the best times and seasons to fish near Isla Mujeres is key to success in fishing and catching more fish.
The best times to fish Isla Mujeres are from January to July and from November to December for bonefish, bonito, mahi-mahi, white marlin, permit, sailfish, Spanish mackerel, tarpon, and wahoo.
Isla Mujeres is a popular nearshore and deep-sea sport fishing destination for tarpon, tuna, and billfish.
Best Time to Fish Isla Mujeres
Anglers get the best results if they go fishing in the region at the right time. Fishing is better during the winter and spring months and in the late fall.
Isla Mujeres Species Breakdown: Best Times
Amberjack
The best months to catch amberjack in Isla Mujeres are January – April, and December. Amberjack is active in the local waters during the early morning hours. Puerto Morelos is one of the best fishing spots to catch amberjack.
Barracuda
Barracuda fishing is excellent in Isla Mujeres throughout the year. Barracuda bite well early in the morning and late in the evening. Cancun is the perfect place to enjoy barracuda fishing.
Blue marlin
The blue marlin fishing season in Isla Mujeres starts in the early spring and ends in the late summer. The best time of the year to catch blue marlin in the region is May – July. It’s possible to target blue marlin during morning and evening hours. Blue marlin can be found in the Yucatan Channel.
Bonefish
Anglers can successfully target bonefish in the waters near Isla Mujeres during the spring and summer months. The best time of the year to catch bonefish in the region is from April to July. It’s possible to catch bonefish in the early morning or late evening.
Bonito
Bonito fishing in Isla Mujeres is excellent throughout the year. Oftentimes, bonito bites well at the first light. Bonito can be caught in the waters near Puerto Morelos.
Jack crevalle
Jack crevalle is active during colder months of the year. The best months to target jack crevalle in the local waters are January and September – December. It makes sense to fish for jack crevalle in the waters near Puerto Morelos.
King mackerel
King mackerel fishing in Isla Mujeres is best from January to March and in December. King mackerel feeds actively at dawn and at dusk. King mackerel can be found in the waters near Puerto Morelos.
Mahi-mahi
Mahi-mahi fishing season in Isla Mujeres starts in the early spring and ends in the late summer. The best time of the year to fish for mahi-mahi in the region is May – July. The Yucatan Channel is the perfect place to catch mahi-mahi.
Sailfish
The best season to catch sailfish in Isla Mujeres is from February to July. Sailfish is active in the early morning. Anglers can catch sailfish in the Yucatan Channel.
Wahoo
Wahoo fishing in Isla Mujeres is the most productive from February to June. Wahoo bites well at the first light. Cancun is the right place to go fishing for wahoo.
Recommended Fishing Guides/Charters in Isla Mujeres
These charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a great value. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Chili’s Sportfishing Isla Mujeres | Isla Mujeres, Mexico |
| Keen M International – “Andrea M” | Isla Mujeres, Mexico |
| Emir Adventure Fishing Charters | Isla Mujeres, Mexico |
| Keen M Sport Fishing | Isla Mujeres, Mexico |
| Keen M Sport Fishing – Lilly M | Isla Mujeres, Mexico |
| Azalias Tours Fishing Charters | Isla Mujeres, Mexico |
| Crazy Fish Charters | Isla Mujeres, Mexico |
| Sea Dream Sport Fishing | Isla Mujeres, Mexico |
I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.
Best Seasons to Book an Isla Mujeres Charter
Isla Mujeres is a year-round fishing destination.
Spring
In spring, anglers can go fishing in shallow waters and offshore waters. Bonefish, permit, snook, and tarpon can be found in shallow waters. When fishing in offshore waters, anglers can target blue marlin, white marlin, mahi-mahi, sailfish, tuna, and wahoo.
Summer
Summer is a great time of the year to fish on flats. Anglers get the best results when fishing in the waters near Isla Mujeres in June – July. However, fishing is less productive in the late summer.
Among fish species that anglers can catch in the local waters during the summer months are barracuda, bonefish, bonito, mahi-mahi, blue marlin, white marlin, permit, sailfish, tarpon, blackfin tuna, and wahoo.
Fall
Fishing is less productive in Isla Mujeres in the fall. Fishing in the region is getting better in the late fall. In the fall, anglers can catch bonito, jack crevalle, snapper, snook, and tarpon.
WinterWinter is a great time of the year to go fishing near Isla Mujeres. Anglers prefer to fish on the reefs, on the flats, or go in offshore waters. Winter is the time of the year when it’s possible to catch a trophy-sized grouper, snapper, and snook in the local waters. King mackerel, mahi-mahi, sailfish, tuna, and wahoo can also be targeted in Isla Mujeres during the winter months.
Best Time of Day to Fish in Isla Mujeres
It’s possible to go fishing in Isla Mujeres at different times of the day. It would be better to fish before sunrise and after sundown. Go fishing either early in the morning or late in the evening. Fishing during these hours is the most comfortable and, most importantly, the most productive.
The best time of day to fish Isla Mujeres also depends a lot on the fish species that you are targeting. Different fish species feed actively at different times of the day.
Isla Mujeres Fishing & Tidal Impacts
It would be better to go fishing when the tide is either rising or falling. Water movement has an impact on the activity of fish. The best tide to fish near the island is an incoming tide. When a tide is rising, waters that contain oxygen are brought to the area. As a result, fish get active and begin to search for food.
An outgoing tide is also a good tide to fish near Isla Mujeres. When a tide is falling, anglers get access to deeper places.
Storms & Isla Mujeres Fishing
Storms are a big problem for anglers. Storms make fishing dangerous. Fishing trips are canceled due to storms for safety reasons. It’s also important to note that fish go to deep waters during storms and don’t bite.
Storms happen in Isla Mujeres during the hurricane season which starts in the early summer and ends in the late fall. Tropical storms and rainstorms happen in the region in September – October.
Is Winter Fishing Bad or Good in Isla Mujeres?
Isla Mujeres is a region that has a warm tropical climate. That’s why fishing near the island is possible year-round. The destination attracts many anglers, who would like to enjoy winter fishing.
Winter fishing in Isla Mujeres can be very productive. The weather is colder and that’s why more comfortable conditions for fishing are created in the region. Many fish species get active in the local waters in winter.
It’s possible to target amberjack, barracuda, bonito, jack crevalle, king mackerel, sailfish, grouper, snapper, snook, tarpon, and wahoo in the waters near Isla Mujeres during the winter months.
Night Fishing in Isla Mujeres
Fishing in Isla Mujeres is possible during the daytime and nighttime. Some anglers prefer to fish Isla Mujeres during night hours. It would be great to fish in the region at night from May to July.
Night fishing allows anglers to avoid heat as well as sunburns. But most importantly, many of the fish species that anglers can catch in the local waters during night hours are active at this time of the year.
Night fishing in Isla Mujeres can be very productive. Anglers have an opportunity to fish at dawn and at dusk. Many fish species feed actively during these hours. Among the fish species that can be caught in the local waters at night are grouper, king mackerel, tarpon, and others.
Shore/Surf Fishing: Best Times & Seasons
Anglers can fish from shore, docks, and piers in Isla Mujeres. It would be better to surf fish in the region in early morning or late evening when there are no swimmers. Spring is the best time of the year to enjoy surf fishing in the region.
El Milagro attracts a lot of shore anglers. Here, anglers have an opportunity to fish in the bay that’s protected by the reef. There are good shore fishing spots in this area.
Top 5 Fishing Spots near Isla Mujeres
Benito Juarez
Benito Juarez is a popular fishing destination. Here, anglers choose to go fishing in offshore waters. It’s a good place to use such fishing techniques as bottom fishing and trolling.
Fishing in Benito Juarez is best from March to August. The top targeted fish species in the region include mahi-mahi, sailfish, and white marlin.
The Mesoamerican Reef
The Mesoamerican Reef is one of the best places to fish near Isla Mujeres. It is the second-largest coral barrier reef in the world. The Mesoamerican Reef is a good place to visit if you prefer to use a light tackle fishing technique.
Here, fishing is best from the late spring to the late summer. The Mesoamerican Reef attracts amberjack, barracuda, hogfish, grouper, and snapper.
The Yucatan Channel
The Yucatan Channel is another good place to go fishing near Isla Mujeres. Fishing in the Yucatan Channel is best from the late summer to the early winter. Here, anglers can successfully catch blue marlin, white marlin, blackfin tuna, mahi-mahi, sailfish, and wahoo.
Cancun
Cancun is a year-round fishing destination near Isla Mujeres that offers incredible fishing. Fishing in Cancun is best from April to July. The region impresses anglers with its fish-filled waters. This place is popular among anglers, who like fly fishing.
Among the fish species that you can target in the waters near Cancun are amberjack, barracuda, bonefish, bonito, mahi-mahi, king mackerel, blue marlin, white marlin, permit, sailfish, snapper, snook, Spanish mackerel, tarpon, tuna, and wahoo.
Puerto Morelos
Puerto Morelos has a lot to offer to anglers. Here, it’s possible to fish near the coral reef system, on mangrove swamp flats, in nearshore and inshore waters. Fishing in Puerto Morelos is best from May to July.
The region impresses anglers with its abundance of fish. Such fish species as amberjack, barracuda, king mackerel, mahi-mahi, sailfish, blue marlin, white marlin, and wahoo can be caught in the local waters.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch fish in Cancun, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch fish in Akumal, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch fish in Benito Juarez, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times time fish in Puerto Morelos, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Barra De Navidad, check out this article.
