Something’s fishy on Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Beach near Velasquez Restaurante

Isla Mujeres, the Island of Women, is surrounded by water and fish, lobsters and conch. Until the tourism boom in the 1980s, the traditional occupation was fishing.  

Even now, around dawn, the open deck panga-style fishing boats and crews head out to pull in the hopefully heavy nets.  

If they are lucky, four or five fishermen per boat will be needed to haul the nets in.  

In the evening, the reverse happens, the fishing crews return to their favourite locations and reset the nets for the night, hoping for a successful catch.

Looking for the Lady Fish run

When the weather turns grumpy, the Port Captain closes the port, restricting the size of the boat that can leave the harbor until he gives the okay to leave.  

These are the days when most island restaurants will tell you that there is no fish on their menu that day.  

Others might have a supply of frozen fish from previous catches, and still others might substitute with Vietnamese Basa, a river-caught fish, uniform in shape and softer in texture. 

Cleaning and repairing nets

Basa is not my favourite, and I usually change to something that does not include fish.

The good thing about a port closure it gives the fishermen time to repair and clean their nets. 

Sometimes you will see them on the beach north of Velasquez Restaurante on Rueda Medina. 

They string the nets between palm trees, searching for rips, pulling off bits of seaweed that have been snagged in the weave.  

Weaving a new net

On very stormy days, the net-mending takes place under covered domes, where, after school basketball games, normally happen.  

Watching the fishermen repair tears in the netting is very reminiscent of the folks who weave hammocks.  

Holding a wooden bobbin in one hand and a tough nylon line in the other, their hands weave in and out, neatly filling in the torn area.  It’s a beautiful skill.

Working whenever the weather allows the small open boats to ply the waters, hauling in fish, cleaning the catch at the end of the day, and repairing nets on the stormy days in preparation for the next day’s work. 

Cleaning the catch 

 It’s a physically demanding job that at times can be dangerous, but for those who do the work, there is no other job that gives them so much enjoyment.

As you enjoy your freshly caught fish in a local restaurant on Isla Mujeres, think about the folks who make that tasty meal possible.  

Cheers from Paradise

Lynda, Lawrie, Sparky, and Thomas

At the end of the day, cover photo Tangled Isla

Isla Mujeres Mystery Series

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Death in the Vineyards Mysteries

The Adventures of Thomas and Sparky

Fishy fishy, come bite my line! Handline fishing on Isla Mujeres, Mexico!



Local fisherman and his helpful dog

Well, damn, I can’t remember the name of this particular fish. 

I have asked local friends at least three times what the name is, but because I don’t write it down, it’s gone out of my mind – again.  (A local friend emailed. The name of the fish is Lady Fish (English) and Sosin (Spanish).

A few months ago, right about the time a hurricane was sliding across the Yucatan Peninsula, thankfully avoiding us, a local family was busy fishing just in front of our casa with handlines, pulling in dozens of these long, thin and bony fish.   

It seems that the north winds bring this species down from further up in the gulf, and the hurricane was creating strong northerly winds for a couple of days, which pushed the fish towards Isla.

So many fish!

We have seen this family before, and it is amazing how efficient they are as fishermen.  The brothers and one sister have a great routine. 

The sister either runs along the shore or climbs up on the higher rocks to “spot” the fish for her brothers, who then deploy handlines, or if the fishing is particularly hot, she has her own handline and can haul in as many as the boys.

This dog was trying to be so helpful ...

On this day, the fishing was so good that one of the boys ran back to the Colonias to get their dad and mom, uncle and auntie, and possibly an older brother or cousin in on the action.  In about 30 minutes, the group had a dozen or so of the long bony fish landed, with two Spaniel-type mutts trying to help out. There was a lot of growling and other fierce noises going on while the dogs shook the hapless fish in their teeth.

It seemed like a pretty good way to have a family outing, and then the rain started.  But the intrepid fishermen kept working the surf for another 15 minutes or so before giving in and heading back to their homes.

Hasta pronto, Lynda and Lawrie

Still fishing in rain rainstorm

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Isla Mujeres Mystery Series

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Death in the Vineyards Mysteries

The Adventures of Thomas and Sparky