Fly Fishing Belize

Belize is a well-known destination by both saltwater fly fishermen and divers. Its main claim to fame is that it has the longest barrier reef in the western hemisphere, and second in the world only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Its waters are home to rich flora and fauna. Although there is very good bonefish and tarpon fishing, Belize´s star is the permit, one of the most difficult species to catch on the fly. Permit are found all over Belize but the best spot is the south of the country, on the coast opposite Placencia. There, anglers give themselves the pleasure of catching permit tailing, alone or in schools, with considerable sizes on average.

The waters in the south offer good fishing of tarpons, bonefish, snooks, jacks (mutton and horse-eye). Ouside the choral reef, sailfish, Mahi-Mahi, wahoo, tuna (yellow fin and black fin) can also be found, depending on the time of year.

To get to Belize from the USA, Southamerica or Europe, direct flights are available from Miami, Dallas/Fort Worth or Houston. To get to Placencia, there are more than 11 daily flights leaving in the morning.

Accommodation:

Located on Placencia beach and close to downtown, the Westwind Hotel is small, comfortable, modern and friendly. It offers 4 rooms overlooking the sea and 4 rooms with a lateral sea view, all of them on the second floor. All the rooms have private bathroom and air conditioning. There are other rooms on the ground floor, but without air conditioning. The hotel serves some coffee and bread for breakfast, but it doesn´t serve any meals. It is located very close to downtown, where there are some good-quality restaurants with reasonable prices (U$S 20.00, approximately). There are other hotels in the area so we could prepare a budget for other hotels, if you wish.

Tackle and Equipment:

Permit

9-foot 9 or 10 weight rod
Floating line (WF)
Saltwater reel with a tough disk drag system accommodating at least 250-yard backing.
10 to 12-foot leaders, 10-pounds minimum (we recommend fluorocarbon) and 16-pound test shock tippet (we recommend fluorocarbon)
Flies tied on hooks 4 or 2. Crab patterns in natural, brown and green. Del´s Merkin, Del Browns Hermit, Brown Special, Rag Head, Mc Crab, Turneffe Crab, etc.


Bonefish

9-foot 8 weight rod.
Floating line (WF)
Saltwater reel with a tough disk drag system accommodating at least 150-yard backing.
10 to 12-foot leaders, 10-pounds minimum (we recommend fluorocarbon).
Flies tied on hooks 8 or 6. Crazy Charlie, Gotcha, Clousers, Shrimp patterns and little crabs (olive and natural).


Tarpon

9-foot 10 weight rod.
Floating line (WF), Intermediate or Sinking Tip
Saltwater reel with a tough disk drag system accommodating at least 250-yard backing.
50 to 70-pound test shock tippet (We recommend fluorocarbon)
Flies tied on hooks 1/0,2/0 and 3/0. Black Death, Purple Death, Cockroach, Stu Apte, Gummy Minnow, etc.

Additional Information:

Our guides are well-qualified and have a vast experience. Each one of them has a panga with outboard motor and can take up to 2 anglers. The guides will be waiting for you in front of the hotel to take you fishing to an archipelago full of great flats for wading and other spots, such as lagoons, where they will push-pole the boats so that you can catch specially tarpons from the board.

Permit and bonefish are caught all year round, but migratory giant tarpons are found in June, July and August.

Besides fishing, Belize offers excursions to visit the rainforest and its wildlife, Mayan ruins, the Monkey river, etc.

Package by "Fly Fishing Caribe & Patagonia":

All our fishing trips can be tailor made to suit each angler or group of anglers needs, if so desired. However, we are offering a basic program including 6-night accommodation and 5 full fishing days.

Day 1: Arrival at the international airport in Belize City. Walking to domestic airport check-in to fly to Placencia. Reception at the airport in Placencia and transfer to the hotel. 6-night accommodation at Westwind Hotel.

Day 2 to 6: 5 full guided fishing days on wide and comfortable outboard-motor boats, "panga"-like. Lunch box with beverages.

Day 7: Transfer to local airport. End of our services.