In all of sportfishing, Isla Mujeres on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico stands out, not only for its abundance of pelagic and reef species, but also as a location with an interesting history dating back thousands of years.
Today Mexico is a rare jewel in the western hemisphere. It has an educated population, much industry, a skilled work force, and natural resources in unimaginable abundance. Among Mexico's most precious resources is the pristine water surrounding it on its east and west coasts. For many years areas on its Pacific west coast, like Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlan have been the go-to tourist destinations in Mexico attracting millions of visitors each year. Not until the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, did areas on the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula begin to become noticed and attract tourists. First it was the island of Cozumel, which grew primarily into a destination for SCUBA diving with a small charter and commercial fishing fleet. Then came development of such areas as Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventura, Cancun, and Isla Mujeres. By then there was no slowing down. In a span of 40 years Isla Mujeres went from 1,500 visitors a day, most of whom were workers, not tourists, to sometimes 30,000 visitors a day, the very smallest percentage of which are workers, and the vast majority of which are tourists. Isla Mujeres has had explosive growth in recent decades brought about primarily on account of its beaches and sportfishing, and its approach to ocean conservation that guarantees a healthy reef environment and an abundance of game fish for today and into the future.
With support of the Mexican federal government, money poured into the barrier islands of the Yucatan Peninsula, which stimulated interest primarily in the resort area of Cancun, and on a much smaller scale Isla Mujeres. As the area began to attract tourists from around the world, success begat more success and the Yucatan Peninsula became a go-to destination for vacationers from all over the world. International airports in Cozumel and Cancun began delivering tourists by the thousands each day, and it was not long before the cruise ship industry began regular stops as well. Millions of tourists raved about the great times to be had in a tropical paradise where the people were friendly, the facilities were first class, and the natural beauty of the beaches and sea were spectacular.
Centrally located at El Centro, the main downtown shopping area in Isla Mujeres, is Club de Yates de Isla Mujeres, which is known by its informal name "Enrique's Dock." This marina attracts visitors from as far away as New England and the Texas coast; and many of the biggest names in sportfishing in the entire world have stories to tell about their experiences in this iconic spot. Anglers and their captains and crews speak of their experiences in Isla Mujeres and at Enrique's Dock with reverence.
