Permit are regarded as one of the most challenging fish to catch in the sport of fly fishing. Their behavior, the often whimsical feeding patterns, is much less predictable than other flats species. This fact, coupled with their reliance on tides, is why permit have the reputation they have. Of course like all fish, they have their favorite foods; crabs, shrimp, and other crustaceans. For years, pioneers like Lincoln Westby, Charlie Leslie, and Will Bauer have designed flies to elicit the fish’s feeding instinct.
Trip Report - Thatch Caye Island Resort – Blue Horizon Belize
The moment your feet step off the panga and onto the landing dock of the breathtaking Thatch Caye Island Resort you are greeted by a fresh glass of ice cold watermelon juice prepared specifically for your private arrival. Pearly white smiles of the hospitality crew surround you. From that moment until you return back to the mainland, every wish and desire you have is accommodated at the all-inclusive island resort. The entire island only takes you 20 minutes to walk from one end to the other, it is complete with 15 rooms and can sleep up to 32 guests.
Southern Belize: The Best Destination to Fly Fish for a Grand Slam
According to the International Gamefish Association (IGFA), “A “Grand Slam” is defined by an individual angler catching at least three of the eligible species within a category (shown below), per IGFA International Angling Rules. All catches must be made within one calendar day, and all past and present catches are eligible, provided they are properly documented.
Understanding Flats Fly Fishing Tides and Moon Phases
If you have begun to plan and try to understand when to visit Belize for a fly fishing vacation, you have most likely found out that the tides can play a big factor in your fishing conditions. While there may not be a perfect recipe for picking the best tides here is some basic information that applies to the fishing tides in Belize.
Grand Slam fly fishing in Belize
The country of Belize is well known as one of the top locations to enjoy fly fishing for numerous flats species. Many anglers travel to the small Caribbean country in pursuit of the fabled bonefish, permit, and tarpon. Some angler come for an introduction to the world of saltwater fly fishing. While others venture to Belize with the hopes of catching their first permit or a triple digit tarpon. And for the lucky few, a Grand Slam is is caught.
A Guide to Fly Fishing Placencia, Belize [A Permit Paradise]
With miles and miles of undisturbed flats, it’s a good reason that Southern Belize is considered the permit capital of Belize. There is wonderful habitat for these permit to thrive in and not as many anglers and people for that matter in the south. Nestled on the southern coast the quaint little fishing village of Placencia has become an under the radar destination for many adventure seeking tourists, more specifically anglers pursuing Belize fly fishing and sport fishing opportunities.
Honeymoon Island Fly Fishing Trip in Belize
Southern Belize is a perfect place for a couples vacation or honeymoon with some fly fishing mixed in. As a travel destination, Belize is known for adventure tourism that is rich with culture and warm and fuzzy hospitality. The Caribbean seas and genuine hospitality make it a great place for couples to spend some quality time together. Belize is also top on the list for many anglers, with beautiful saltwater flats teeming with flats species like permit, bonefish and tarpon.
3 Tips to Prepare for Your Saltwater Fly Fishing Trip in Belize
Are you thinking about booking a fly fishing trip to Southern Belize? Or maybe you have booked your fly fishing adventure to Belize and want to make sure you are properly prepared to make the most out of your trip? A lot of anglers that come to fly fish Belize for the first time have minimal experience fly fishing the saltwater. Most are avid freshwater trout anglers that have dreams of catching a grand slam on the flats of Belize. So what are some tips to prepare yourself for your saltwater fly fishing adventure?
Tailing Permit Tactics
In Southern Belize, we are in the epicenter for tailing permit. The vast pancake flats provide suitable feeding grounds for a hungry permit. When the tide shifts and the water moves onto the flats, permit move in and gorge on the crabs, shrimp, baitfish, even the sea urchins and small lobsters. Typically, this feeding frenzy will result in tailing permit.
DIY Fly Fishing in Belize
If you wanted to do some DIY fly fishing in Belize your best option would be to stay out in the Cayes or islands off from the mainland. These cayes are located on the barrier reef, they actually make up the barrier reef. Around the islands, marine life is rich in biodiversity providing great habitat for many game fish like bonefish, permit, and tarpon.
Hosted Saltwater Fly Fishing Trips in Belize
Why host saltwater fly fishing trips?
That is the million-dollar question..well it’s simple for many people. They want to bring together a group of friends to go on an unforgettable fly fishing adventure. But if you do host a trip, Blue Horizon Belize will also offer you a free or comped spot on the trip. While restrictions do come into play here as typically you will need at least 7 paying fly fishing package guests in order to claim that host spot. But if you think you may have some clients that you want to take on a Belize Fly Fishing vacation hosting a trip may be a perfect option for you. If you also have 8 or more friends that want to plan a fly fishing trip, you can also apply the comped spot to discounting the rate for everyone. So this is a great option to get the price down.
Belize Fly Fishing Guides
What to look for in a Belize Fly Fishing Guide?
A quality fly fishing guide is what makes the international fly fishing travel experience so enjoyable. So what is that makes a great guide? First and foremost, knowledge of the local fishery and fly fishing expertise. But attitude is also an essential trait to a quality fly fishing guide. Is it a job for the guide? Or it is a passion and way of life? Successful guides will effectively translate their passion of the fishery to you.
Sport Fishing License Required to Fish in Belize
Permit Fly Fishing 101 [With Basic Tips]
…Our experienced guides greatly increase your chance of catching this tricky fish.
Basic Tips to Permit Fishing:
Make sure you are confident and familiar with the gear you are using. Be sure to cast the fly rod prior to the trip or as soon as you get on the boat. You want to be able to cast the fly accurately into a dinner plate-sized target at about 40 feet.