CANCUN/ISLA MUJERES, MEXICO
Sailfish
The top of the Yucatan peninsula offers reliable sailfishing in the morning and a chance to explore Mayan ruins in the afternoon, if that's your thing. A short flight from Miami, it's a favorite Caribbean destination among many blue-water fishermen who also find good marlin fishing here.
Shots per day (prime season): ****
With a little effort and luck, you'll realize seven to 10 shots a day; with a little more effort and a good dose of luck, you may well enjoy 10 to 40 shots.
Size of fish: *
Most sails here run 30 to 50 pounds, but much larger fish can be found -- witness the women's 12-pound line-class record of 112 pounds, which has stood since it was caught off Cancun in 1979.
Release: **
Distance to fish: **
An average run is five or so miles, though good action may start a couple miles from the dock -- or as much as 40 miles on some days.
Length of prime season:***
January through June offers the best chances, with April and May the historical peak; however, during the last couple seasons, January through March -- weather permitting -- saw great sailfish activity out of Cancun. Don't look for numbers of sails in summer and fall, but they are around -- and so are (better numbers of) marlin: A number of grand slams and even some double-grands have been taken during these months.
Ocean conditions/weather: **
Early-season fishing usually means brisk northerlies, hard seas --and good action. By April, things tend to calm (with seas coming down to 3 feet on a typical day). By May, the sun often rises over a flat ocean.
Sailfish Charter Starting $599.00
