Belize
| Destination Information |
Belize is located on the north eastern coast of Central America just south of the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula It is the only English speaking country in Central America, though Kriol and Spanish are most commonly spoken. Belize is bordered to the north by Mexico, south and west by Guatemala, and to the east by the Caribbean Sea. Its mainland is about 290 kilometres (180 mi) long and 110 kilometres (68 mi) wide. With 22,960 square kilometres (8,860 sq mi) of land and a population of only 333,200 inhabitants (2010 est.),Belize possesses the lowest population density in Central America. Belize’s abundance of terrestrial and marine species, and its diversity of ecosystems give it a key place within the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. The origin of the name Belize is unclear, but the name is likely from the native Maya word belix, meaning “muddy water”, describing the Belize River. The Mayan Civilization spread itself over the area which is today Belize beginning in around 1500 BC and flourished there until about A.D. 800. Europeans arrived in the 16th century.
There are a few specific fishing areas that are very well known in Belize. Working North to South: San Pedro on Ambergris Caye Belize City & the Drowned Cayes Turneffe Flats Dangriga Punta Gorda… …just to name a few Traditionally, Northern Belize is known as the place which offers anglers their best chance at the grand slam offering small bonefish, small permit & tarpon. Ambergris Caye & Turneffe Flats are The angler in search of big permit in the 25-40 lb range should set their sights for the southern destinations as here they are known to be common. There are much fewer bonefish in southern Belize for some reason. Some guides believe it is due to the excessive harvesting done by commercial fisherman who were allowed to net bonefish without restriction. Others think they made have just moved on. We see bonefish in southern Belize however they are much (MUCH) more plentiful in the north.
COMING SOON: Ambergris Caye Turneffe Flats San Pedro Dangrigia Hopkins & Southern Points
| Species & Tactics |
Permit
There are many other words often associated with fly fishing for Permit but they will be excluded to keep profanities off the site. To quote a professional fly fisherman in the Miami area who's name and expletives are intentionally left out "after all these years, I'm done with that fish". He literally quit fishing for Permit after over 7 years of frustration but he really didn't. He caught his first Permit on a fly in July 2012.
Quitters never win and winners never quit. One of the flyfishbonehead staff members fished for 3 years and spent over $10,000 before landing his first Permit on a fly. Many ask how this can be if there are so many photos and instruction on how to fly fish for Permit. Actually many Permit are caught on live crabs with a spin rod and a much of the published information is just speculation, propagated rumor and scuttlebutt. There is some good information out there and fisherman that have significant success, but much information is hear-say and rumor.
Bonefish
Albula vulpes is one of about 15 different species of bonefish found in the world, but is the most prolific in the Caribbean and surrounding Atlantic. The information here can be applied to nearly every species.
The members of the Albulidae family of fishes, or Bonfish, as they are more commonly known, are one of, if not the most sought after species on the flats with a fly rod. The silver torpedo shaped fish with variably colored vertical stripes ranges in size from 2-19 pounds, with the average fish caught being between 3 and 16 pounds (depending on location).
Snook
SNOOK! The snook is a very desirable target on the fly for many reasons; the abundance of energy & fight despite the subtle strike (well sometimes anyway) but and much to our dismay, they apparently are incredibly tasty as well. We can say that we have never killed a snook, and never will. We encourage you to catch and release as this species is in trouble in Florida and the Gulf states.
Why?
There was a very cold season which included a freeze of 2009 which killed and chased off most of the species there. Bonefish, permit and tarpon disappeared but we think they just went south because they did gradually come back. The snook there are still not quite back and not where they used to be. The number and size of the snook in southern Florida and the Gulf of Mexico is still significantly decreased. The commercial and recreational harvest of common snook was prohibited throughout Texas and Florida (USA) until August 2013.
Tarpon
Migrating Tarpon...This is what we dream about. A school of Tarpon 20-30 strong each weighing about 130 lbs. swimming across the flats. It's a fly anglers dream! These are the large adults that have been in deeper waters reproducing and are traveling in search of warmer waters and a new source of food. They're hungry, aggressive and will destroy your rod and reel in no time if you let them
SEARCH TARPON FLIES IN OUR SHOP
Barracuda
Barracuda may be the most underrated saltwater species to catch on a fly. After hooking one, imagine this scenario: the fish is on the end of the line thrashing and running, suddenly the line goes slack. You think the fish is off but he's not because you stand in amazement as you watch a 5 foot barracuda leap 15 feet into the air like a missile being launched from below the surface of the ocean.
| What To Bring |
Bonefish
Bonefish can be caught on a 6-8 weight. Most commonly used an 8 weight because they have one, many prefer a 7 weight because its more fun to use little tackle in general. Last Belize trip everyone used a 6 weight and did fine. Again as long as wind is not an issue this is certainly ok. Use a floating line with at least 200 yards of backing on your reel. Leaders should be 9-15 feet with at least a 10 lb tippet. (we use 12-15 lb) The reel should have a sealed drag and made for saltwater fishing. We use the term ‘bomb-proof” which means different things to different people. To us, it means simply a tested & proven reel with the following features: 1. Very few or no moving parts 2. Smooth drag with smooth start-up 3. Sealed drag which will not corrode 4. It will not fail under any circumstance
Saltwater fly tying videos for bonefishing by flyfishbonehead
Permit & Snook
Fishing for larger/stronger fish like Permit & Snook requires a 8-10 weight rod. We almost always use a 10 weight, mainly because it is very rare that there is no wind. You really dont want to miss a fish because you couldn’t punch your fly through the wind, do you? Why chance it. Also the extra lifting power of a 10 weight will give you an advantage when trying to keep a hooked fish from getting into coral or diving into a deep channel. You can use a 9 weight for snook, permit and bonefish as well, it really is a perfect all purpose rod if you can only bring one. Anglers need a floating line and at least 250 yards of backing on your reel. Leader should be 9-15 feet with at least 12 lb tippet (we use 15-20 lb). The reel should have a sealed drag and made for saltwater fishing. We use the term ‘bomb-proof” which means different things to different people. To us, it means simply a tested & proven reel with the following features: 1. Very few or no moving parts 2. Smooth drag with smooth start-up 3. Sealed drag which will not corrode 4. It will not fail under any circumstance Search the HD Library of Fly Tying Videos Some of the more popular ones include Turneffe Crab, Bauer Crab, EP Permit Crab, Bonefish Bitters, Merkin Crab and others.
flyfihbonehead saltwater fly tying videos for permit
Search the HD Library of Fly Tying Videos Some of the more popular ones include Turneffe Crab, Bauer Crab, EP Permit Crab, Bonefish Bitters, Merkin Crab and others.
Tarpon
Tarpon usually require a 10 -12 weight. Most anglers prefer a 12 weight for the lifting power and usually gives the angler more control when trying to land the fish. Wind is never an issue when casting a 12 weight either. Use a floating line or what we prefer is the intermediate sink line with at least 200 yards of backing on your reel. Leaders should be 9-12 feet with at least a 20 lb tippet. (we use 20-40 lb fluorocarbon shock tippet) The reel should have a sealed drag and made for saltwater fishing. We use the term ‘bomb-proof” which means different things to different people. To us, it means simply a tested & proven reel with the following features: 1. Very few or no moving parts 2. Smooth drag with smooth start-up 3. Sealed drag which will not corrode 4. It will not fail under any circumstance Search flies in the HD Library of Fly Tying Videos
flyfishbonehead saltwater flies & saltwater fly tying videos
More popular ones include: The blue & white Clouser minnow, gummy minnow, tarpon toads (black/purple), seaducer, big-eye tarpon fly in tan/white
Barracuda & Shark
Barracuda & Shark usually require a 12 weight. A 12 weight for the lifting power and usually gives the angler more control when trying to land the fish bacause they fight. Wind is never an issue when casting a 12 weight either. Use a floating line or what we prefer is the intermediate sink line with at least 200 yards of backing on your reel. Leaders should be 9 feet with a metal tippet material. (we use 30 lb metal tippet) The reel should have a sealed drag and made for saltwater fishing. We use the term ‘bomb-proof” which means different things to different people. To us, it means simply a tested & proven reel with the following features: 1. Very few or no moving parts 2. Smooth drag with smooth start-up 3. Sealed drag which will not corrode 4. It will not fail under any circumstance Search flies in the HD library of Fly Tying videos
flyfishbonehead saltwater flies and saltwater fly tying videos
Some of the more popular ones include: baby dorado, any baitfish pattern, poppers, the rat, great pumpkin for sharks
Offshore Fishing
Offshore fishing for billfish & tuna usually involves a 12 -15 weight. Here you will have a chance at blue & white Marlin, Sailfish, Mahi-mahi & Tuna. We prefer a 14 weight and there are some which even have a butt suitable for gimbel use. Again because we are all about control of the fish and landing the fish quickly which decreases mortality and injury after release. The reel should have a sealed drag and made for saltwater fishing. We use the term ‘bomb-proof” which means different things to different people. To us, it means simply a tested & proven reel with the following features: 1. Very few or no moving parts 2. Smooth drag with smooth start-up 3. Sealed drag which will not corrode 4. It will not fail under any circumstance Search flies in the HD library of Fly Tying videos:
flyfishbonehead saltwater flies & saltwater fly tying videos
More popular ones include: Tuna: small minnow patterns like surf candy & eat me Marlin/sailfish: Poppers, Baitfish. We like Trey Combs style double hook set ups on mackerel & sardine patterns. Sometimes we attach a baitfish pattern to the hook of the popper as well
| Preferred Guides |
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Lodges |
