Obsession Fishing Charters Outer Banks North Carolina

Book Your Charter Today!

Email Us
or call 252.480.0094

Today's Weather

OBSESSION MEXICO 2021 NEWSLETTER

FISHING IN ISLA MUJERES, 2021

My plans are to run the OBSESSION to Isla Mujeres, Mexico for the light tackle sailfishing season in winter 2021. This will be my 20th year fishing in Mexico, and I can't wait to get back again. The waters off the northern Yucatan Peninsula hold the world's greatest seasonal concentration of Atlantic sailfish, and provide incredible light tackle action. Most years, we have good fishing from early January thru mid March. Last year, we released over 560 sailfish in 48 trips. There were a few slow days but overall action was good throughout, with double digit releases most days. And there were some epic days; Capt Danny Wadsworth & crew released 56 one day ( & 92 in two days); a few days later, Craig & Tyler Sudbrink released 46 (70 in two days).

I recently flew down to Isla Mujeres to get a feel for what travel might involve for my customers this winter. I had an easy trip in all aspects. I even got a few days snorkeling with whale sharks & giant manta rays. That was a truly unforgettable experience. I personally think Isla Mujeres will be a great place to be this winter with excellent weather, plentiful outdoor activites and outside dining.

Airport travel was not a problem. Everyone is required to wear masks in the airport and on the planes. Social distancing was practiced, and airlines facilitate this in the airport. The airlines provide sanitizers and have modified their service to facilitate safety concerns. I felt complety comfortable flying. Planes were full so don't wait long to get tickets. Airlines have reduced the amount of flights to account for reduced travelers. Airports were empty so lines were short and delays nonexistent.

Mexico has been extremely cautious regarding the virus. Cancun airport and the ferry to Isla Mujeres requires masks, do temperature checks, and provide hand sanitizers at various locations, and spray disinfectant on everyone and their baggage.

Like North Carolina's Outer Banks, Isla Mujeres shut down last April, and did not let non-residents back until June. Consequently, there have been few cases on the island to date. Since they opened the island, they have taken a controlled and cautious approach. They encourage everyone to wear masks in town. Restaurants are mostly outdoors which is great. Restaurants check customers tempertures, and all staff are wearing masks. They are social distancing the tables. Hotels are also taking precautions, checking staff and customers temperatures, disinfecting sprays for everyone & luggage; staff all wear masks. The islanders are desperate for business and service was exceptional wherever I went.

What I think is the advantage of going to Mexico this winter is you do not have to quarantine and for the most part restaurants and bars are outside. There is a good chance the island will not be extremely crowded since many Europeans and Canadians are likely not coming since they would have to quarantine to return to their native countries.

If you are thinking of fishing in Mexico on the Obsession, its time to make your travel arrangements!! The island is a wonderful place but has become a popular tourist destination and good hotels fill up. The local populace is extremely friendly and the island's growth has included many expat Americans, Canadians & Europeans who have moved to Isla Mujeres and opened up a diverse and eclectic mix of excellent restaurants, boutiques & galleries while maintaining its small town, tropical island feeling. My wife has traveled to the island for years and navigates its streets alone with no worries! Many of my customers who originally came down just to fish for a few days and leave, now come for a week or two or even more and bring their familes and friends; they fish a few days and enjoy the island lifestyle the rest of the time... and they come back year after year!!

BOOKING INFORMATION

The OBSESSION will be available for charter from JANUARY thru MARCH 2021. You can reserve dates by email (captjeff@mindspring.com ) or phone 252-480-0094. The cost of chartering the OBSESSION in Mexico in 2021 will be $2500 (sorry, fuel is $5.00/gallon in Mexico) for 1-6 (flexible) people. A $1000/day deposit will be needed to secure your fishing dates.

The OBSESSION provides all bait and tackle. We use Shimano TLD 20's with 25 lb line on light action stand-up trolling rods. We encourage angler participation and enthusiastically work with everyone interested in hooking their own fish. We use exclusively circle hooks to reduce injury to the sailfish. We will leave around sunrise and return around sunset.

We provide lunch,including sandwiches, munchies, fruit, yogurt, and drinks, including water, soda and cervesas (beer)! All you need bring is polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, rubber soled shoes, hat, camera, and good luck!

The OBSESSION will again be docked at Enrique's Marina, on the island of Isla Mujeres. To get there, you fly into Cancun International Airport. From Cancun airport, you take a half hour cab ride (should be no more than $50) to Puerto Juarez, the port where you take the new (fast) ferry to ISLA MUJERES (tell cab driver want to go to "Puerto Juarez.... new ferry to Isla Mujeres"). The ferry ride is 25 minutes, costs less than $10 and runs every half hour (6AM-11PM). The ferry lets you off a stones throw from my boat. Grab a cab or hire a bicycle cart (always at ferry dock) to drop your stuff off at your hotel and if staying on the North end you can walk everywhere from there on....to boat, town, restaurants, beaches, ferry, everything within 5-10 minutes.

DO NOT WAIT TO LONG TO BOOK YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS!

The lodgings I recommend are all less than a 10 minute walk to the boat and surround the festive downtown area. Rooms range from $70 - 300 a night, depending upon what you are looking for, but for $70-$150 you get a very nice room for two people. Most everything on the island is clean and well kept. Do not wait too long to make your reservations, the popular hotels are filling up quickly! February & March are peak season for tourism and fishing, the island is small, and the nicer places will be soon booked! To find information on the island, including places to stay, check out: http://www.isla-mujeres.net

The lodgings that we recommend are:

Cabanas Maria Del Mar Great place for the guys, nice, less expensive place for couples as well...close to swing bar/Buhos Restaurant, sits in the heart of the North Beach

Hotel Playa Media Luna Beautiful ocean views, first class, small and private, very peaceful; impress your lady (this is mine and my wife's most favorite). Nice for couples.

Hotel Secreto exceptional, first class, extremely private; really, really, impress your lady

Hotel Villa Kiin Great location, lots of options in rooms, located on a small swimming beach, great for families with small children (another favorite of ours)

Bucaneros Economical, great location in town

NaBalam Beautiful, expensive and private with a excellent beach bar/restaurant, also has a wonderful onsite yoga palapa with classes and retreats; really impress your lady

Nautibeach Condos Privately owned condos ...good for families, close to boat, great beach

Ixchel Beach Hotel Condos Beautiful, new, privately owned condos located on the famous North Beach, very close to everything, another good options for families with small children (nice pools, outdoor restaurant and an elevator!)

Privelege Aluxes New, modern hotel close to the boat

Hotel RocaMar Recently remodeled, wonderful ocean views, very nice and private

Hotel Posada Del Mar Closest motel to boat, across street from great beach, nice outdoor restaurant, pool, garden area overlooking beach, inexpensive.

Hotel Berney Newer remodeled hotel located on a side street in town just a couple of blocks from the marinia. Has an indoor courtyard with a restaurant and pool. Bright and cheerful!

If you're thinking of fishing off Isla Mujeres on the Obsession, now is time to make your travel arrangements!! The island is a wonderful place but has become a popular tourist destination. The more convenient rooms close to the boat that I recommend fill up early. Contact me for a list of lodging recommendations and other travel issues by e-mail or phone 252-480-0094.

I would be happy to provide more details upon request by email or phone (evenings: 252-480-0094).

Check out the fishing reports section of my website for pictures of fishing in Mexico this past season.

MAKE UP GROUPS

If you do not have a full group and are looking to split days with others, let me know....in the past I have had good luck putting groups together. At this time, I have three guys looking for two or three others to join them SUN FEBRUARY 21.

DAY TRIPPING

A GREAT ROAD TRIP FOR A DAY OFF THE ISLAND

Carlos Euan, who runs the transportation service that many of you use to get to and from the airport, offers a great one day road trip.

This includes: pickup around 7 - 8 AM at the ferry in Puerto Juarez;

THEN 45 minute drive south to Puerto Morales, a cool seaside town for great oceanfront breakfast at Pelican Restaurant;

THEN 1 1/2 hour drive south to oceanfront TULUM RUINS.... awesome;

THEN 20 minute ride back north for lunch at CASA CENOTE.....great food and drinks on drop dead gorgeous beach..... great place for a swim in the ocean or in clear cool cenote just behind the restaurant;

THEN 20 minute drive north to AKUMAL for shopping or swim in cenote loaded with fish & beautiful rock formations.... very cool spot! ;

THEN 1 1/2 hour drive back to Ferry or you can stop in Playa Del Carmen for a drink on the way back to the Ferry....

Obsession Sportfishing Charters

Outer Banks - North Carolina

Captain Jeff Ross
3102 S. Ocean View Ct.
Nags Head NC 27959

252.480.0094

CaptJeff@mindspring.com