Top 4 Permit Flies for Fly Fishing Southern Belize

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.

Each permit fishery has a unique characteristic, and even some specific flats have certain flies that work better than others. It is also important to consider the best way to present the fly, some fly patterns should be striped, others are more effective when they get little or no movement fished on the ‘drop’. Remember, crabs don’t often flee from their predators. Instead, they hide, burying themselves in the sand and turtle grass. 

Here is what we have found to be the go-to-flies on the flats of the best permit fishing flats in Belize. 

Number 1: Bauer Crab Fly

The Bauer Crab is hands down the absolute must-have fly for fishing for permit in Southern Belize. Both variations of this fly will produce, in olive and tan. In the South Water Marine Reserve between Dangriga and Placencia, the tan version is the top producer. In the far southern reaches of Belize, the olive variation is the ‘go to’. Developed by the permit pioneer Will Bauer, the fly was honed in after many annual trips to Belize to fish with legendary permit guide Lincoln Westby. This fly has seen more fish brought to hand than perhaps any other crab pattern. The thick body mimics a crab very well and the Rubber Legs give it motion. This fly is best fished ‘still’ or with a slight amount of movement. The broad profile and stiff legs give this fly life like characteristics of a live still crab. It is very common for this pattern to be eaten as it sinks to the bottom, or when perfectly placed in front of a tailing permit. It is recommended to have this pattern in a variety of sizes based on conditions, recommended sizes include 4, 6, and 8.

Number 2: Camo Crab Fly

In Belize, permit eat lots of crabs. This will be evident when you spend some time on the reefs or pancake flats examining what lives underwater. If you flip a few rocks (just like you would on your local trout stream) you’ll see what the permit sees… and eats. One of the most common critters you will find is the small crabs. They range in color for dark green to near white. These multi-colored crabs are the food of permit (and to a lesser extent bonefish). Many of these crabs tend to be no bigger than a nickel, they have short but prominent legs. A normal crab pattern about the size of a quarter is two big, a solid colored crab doesn't look like the real thing. The Camo Crab has begun to give the Bauer Crab a run for the money, as a growing continent of guides is making the Camo their “go to”.

Number 3: Colby’s Casa Blanca Raghead Crab

In the past few years, many of the BHL guides have started using the tan Casa Blanca crab more frequently, and with proven success. The lead eyes on this fly are smallish, making for easier casting, and the fly lands softly, lessening the possibility of spooking fish. This fly should be stripped to activate the rubber legs and to make it look alive. One of the most common shots you’ll experience on these flats are slowly cruising and feeding permit. When you are fishing in this situation, you’ll typically have the best success with a slow-moving fly. A less predictable shot, this situation requires the fly to be delivered close to the permit (but not on the fish). Leading the fish by 1-2 feet can be the most effective (it can also be the most likely to spook the fish off the flats) then a 1 count before stripping the fly.  

Number 4: Mantis Shrimp Fly

One of our other favorite permit flies is Bob Veverka’s Mantis Shrimp. The long rubber legs give the fly a lot of movement and fish react best during a slow retrieve. One of the top features is the bead chain eyes. The lighter weight can be fished in shallower water along the reef edges. This fly works great with the cruising permit you often encounter feeding in muddy bottom flats or along the sargassum grass edges. This lightweight fly can be cast extremely close to tailing permit, with little fish of spooking them. Another bonus to this fly is the ability to cast at the unexpected bonefish school that maybe feeding on the same flats.

Southern Belize has long been known as the best permit fishing location in the Caribbean. The prime fishing area is very large ranging from the southern border north to Dangriga. The two most popular areas to fish are the Port of Honduras Marine Reserve and the South Water Caye Marine Reserve. Both offer, short boat rides to protected groups of small most uninhabited mangrove islands and pancake flats. Schools of permit; small groups, and singles feed on the mixed rocky and turtle grass flats. The Bauer Crab is hands down the go to fly for this part of Belize, but many other flies will seduce permit into feeding. Many permit in this region is attracted to sinking or still crabs. Casting your fly just inside the range of the permit’s vision is the best target. If they see the fly, they will undoubtedly move to inspect. Depending on what your guide says, either no movement or a slight twitch is the preferred method of enticing the fish to eat.

If you are armed with our four recommended flies, there will be fewer excuses for not connecting with the coveted permit. For those anglers who are new to the game, we’d like to offer a touch of wisdom; 1. Always trust your guide - if he says to use one of these patterns (or one not on this list), Fish it! 2. The fly only is 40% of the equation for success. 60% is finding the right fish. The ‘right’ fish will eat just about anything your put in front of it. 

For more information about fishing in Southern Belize, please contact us at info@BlueHorizonBelize.com or call us at 1-800-313-1672

Our Guide Boats: Fly Fishing from a Panga

All of the guides at Blue Horizon Belize use fishing boats called “pangas”. A panga is a Mexican style open fishing boat with a bimini top for shade and an outboard motor. Unlike a flats boat that might be common in the Bahamas or Florida, a Panga has larger sides that can withstand larger waves and rougher seas. Often times our fishing guides have to cross certain parts of the ocean where there is no reef with deep depths and these runs can have very choppy water if the winds are up. So with these pangas, the guides are able to safely boat through these areas.

Most all of our pangas are equipped with a front lean bar as well as a bimini top to provide shade from the intense Caribbean UV rays. They have a front deck casting area with ample spaces as well as comfortable seating for two people. The front casting area provides anglers a top level view to sight and hunt down fish. The guide will typically stand in the back of the boat after arriving at a flat and begin to pole the flats in search of catching a Belizean permit, bonefish, or tarpon.

Some of our reef fishing pangas are larger and can comfortably hold up to 8 people. But the fly fishing guides prefer to use the smaller ones as they can go in skinnier water more easily.

Tarpon Fly Fishing in Belize [A Basic Guide]

Tarpon are one of the three fish species to make up the grand slam (permit and bonefish are the other two), they are known for their large size, long fights and rod busting runs and jumps. They are the king and queens of the flats. Catching and landing a tarpon on a fly is an accomplishment for every angler. After you hook one of these beasts the battle has just started and be ready to pour out all the energy you have as landing a tarpon is often harder than hooking a tarpon.

In Belize and specifically Southern Belize we are lucky to have resident tarpon that are present in our fisheries 365 days a year. Meaning we can fish for tarpon every day of the year. Tarpon reside in both brackish rivers as well as in the ocean in larger channels and on the flats. They are fueled by bait, wherever the bait is where the tarpon typically are.

Best time to fish for tarpon:

As stated above you can catch tarpon year-round. There are present in Southern Belize in many of the larger channels and rivers year-round but as soon as springtime comes around the tarpon start to get more active and the migratory tarpon begin to show up. These migratory fish are typically larger than the residents, weighing in at 80 to more than 150 pounds. The seasons for the migratory tarpon is from April - September. So if you tarpon was on the top of your list planning a trip during this time of year would increase your chances of landing one.

River and Lagoon Fishing: Fish will be in deep, murky water where sight fishing is difficult. Rolling fish are somewhat common, but blind casting is the general rule.

Flats and Channel Fishing: Fishing will be done from small skiffs in clear, shallow flats (3-5 feet deep) or in the tidal channels which connect the flats.

Gear and Tackle:

Rod:  11 or 12 wt

Reel: Anodized, corrosion-resistant saltwater model. Should be able to hold a fly line plus 350+ yards of 30 (or 45) lb. backing.  A high quality, smooth disc drag is essential.

Line: Tropical floating line. On a spare spool, it is recommended to have a heavy sinking line for deep water Tarpon. *At Blue Horizon Belize we highly recommend bringing a full sink line for the channel fishing.

Leaders: Pre-tied leaders with a 16 to 20lb class tippet and 80-100 lb. shock tippet.  A Tarpon stretcher is great if you are planning on specifically going for Tarpon.

Flies: A basic selection of Tarpon flies in a variety of colors and materials. Sizes 2/0 and 3/0 will cover most Tarpon situations in Belize.

• Black Death – sizes 1/0 to 3/0

• Cockroach – sizes 1/0 to 3/0

• Tarpon Toad – size 1/0 to 3/0

Tips to Keep in Mind when Tarpon Fishing:

• Set that Hook!!! Tarpon have extremely hard mouths, so when you do connect with a tarpon jam that hook into the fish’s mouth.

• Bow to the King! When a tarpon jumps be ready to drop your rod tip to the side or as many anglers say “bow to the king”. Before you set the hook on a tarpon ask your Belize fly fishing guide how he would bow to the king.

• Pace Yourself. Battling a tarpon can be an exhausting event so after the tarpon has made its first few jumps, you are through the hardest part. Take a deep breath, realign your stance, get comfortable on the panga, and put the butt of the fly rod into your belly and show that tarpon who is boss.

Hopefully, this basic guide to tarpon fly fishing Belize will help you prepare for a successful outing. The guides at Blue Horizon Belize pride themselves in guiding tarpon fishing, so be sure to book a day or multiple days out with our guides and I’m sure you will not be disappointed. Be sure to email us for availability as the spring and early summer months can be booked out far in advance. info@bluehorizonbelize.com.

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.

 The following designations apply to IGFA Slam Clubs:

• Three species in a day = Grand Slam (Permit, Bonefish, and Tarpon)

Most anglers would say that catching and landing a permit on the fly is the hardest species to complete the grand slam. This is the sole reason why Southern Belize is one of the best places in the world to complete the slam. There is no better place than Southern Belize to get more shots at permit specifically tailing permit. Due to the expansive flats, the habitat is rich in biodiversity providing and supporting these fish with ample food supply. So when you fly fish in southern Belize you should expect to get multiple good shots at permit each day.

While the permit may be considered the toughest of the three species, landing a tarpon is no easy task. Tarpon are the largest, strongest and most acrobatic of the grand slam species found in Belize. Even juvenile fish will put angling skills to the test and strain tackle beyond belief. Resident tarpon are typically small- to mid-sized specimens (20-60 pounds), and the large migratory fish can range from 100-150+ pounds.

Large schools of bonefish can be found on a consistent basis on numerous caye (islands) throughout our fishery. Since bonefish are the most abundant fish, they tend to be the most willing to eat a fly. So typically this species can be the easiest and the last species to catch to fulfill the inshore fly fishing grand slam.

Luckily in Southern Belize the guides at Blue Horizon Belize are very skilled and know the waters and area very well to help guide you into your grand slam of a lifetime. Feel free to send us an email to check availability.

Guide to Bonefishing in Belize

Having a reef that spans the whole coastline of Belize, let’s just say there is plenty of fish habitat. It is a true saltwater angler’s paradise. One of the most common game fish to target on the fly in Belize is the bonefish. Also called the “ghost of the flats,” this species can be tricky at times but for the most part, a well-presented fly will always result in a hookup. Don’t underestimate the power of these fish either, once you have them on it’s common that they will take you to the backing.

The average size of bonefish in Belize is 2-5 pounds while there are some bigger fish that move in singles or double but these fish can be extremely spooky and educated.

Where to find bonefish?

While northern Belize is known for more bonefish, the bonefish in the South Water Caye marine reserve tend to be bigger. Our fishery is not as well know for bonefishing, but it no less productive.

Cayes/Islands: Large schools of bonefish can be found on a consistent basis on numerous caye (islands) throughout our fishery. The schools of bonefish congregate around the white sands where they feed on shrimp and crabs. They will also congregate around docks, as at times fish scraps fall into the water. These bonefish are perfect for the novice or never ever anglers.

Bonefish Flats: There are also some skinnier shallower flats that provide good habitat for bonefishing in Southern Belize. These flats can be a lot of fun to hunt down a bonefish. It does take a little bit more expertise to execute a precise presentation to get these fish to eat and not spook.

When to target bonefish?

Bonefish are plentiful year-round in Belize. While the weather can play a factor in finding the fish they seem to be creatures of habit and can be found in the same areas day after day. The bonefish can also be targetted during low tides when the permit fishing is slow. Bonefish do seem to be most active when there is tide moving, most likely because this means food is moving across the flats.

Recommended Bonefish Tackle:

    •       Rods: 7 or 8 weight

    •       Reel: Saltwater reel holding at least 200 yards of 20 pound backing

    •       Fly Line: Tropical Weight forward floating line

    •       Leader: 9-14 feet - depending upon the fishing situation

    •       Tippet: 2X-0X 8-12 pound test - fluorocarbon offers an advantage

Bonefish Flies:

Pops' Bonefish Bitters, #6 & #8 (Olive and Amber)

Crazy Charlies - chartreuse, white, pink & brown (unweighted for outer flats) #6 & #8

Gotcha’s - white, pink, tan , #6 & #8

 The guides at Blue Horizon are skilled in chasing down bonefish and are always willing to teach a new angler the ways of flats fly fishing for Belizean bonefish.

Belize Fly Fishing - Tarpon Leader and Tippet Building 101

*Article from Ruth Simms as she prepares for an upcoming trip with Blue Horizon

The date is August 15th, 2019 and I’m a nerd. I’m actually a fly fishing nerd, and yes I use to watch star trek but that’s beside the point. On the 19th I will take a red-eye down to Atlanta, GA for a connection flight to BZE (Belize City) on the 20th. Being 4 days away from departure a rolodex of items not to forget flip through my mind. I keep thinking of my passport… I know it’s in that one drawer but I had better make sure today after I get home from work. Fishing wise I keep thinking to myself, “Ok the list of equipment on the Blue Horizon Belize at Thatch Caye Island Resort website says for tarpon a 30lb 9ft leader with 12-18 inches of 60, 80 pound shock tippet.” This suggestion has been whirling around in my head for the past 2 weeks.

You see I have been on a couple destination trips now and have had knots that I tied fail on large fish, hooks bend out and swivels be pried open just above the popper. I feel I have solved the swivel problem with an extensive swivel haul at my local outdoor store. Seems like a random issue but if you never have cast a very large popper you may not know that after a few casts unless you have a swivel that rotates inline with your fly, your fly line will start to twist. I learned this the hard way, aka first hand. The absence of a swivel in this kind of setup is not ideal because A.) it frustrates you to no ends and B.) over time if you don’t tend to it, it will cause your line to split or crack and poof you’re down another $100. 

So back to this tarpon leader…I pretty much have two options. One is what Capt. Buddy Kirkhart once referred to as a “homeboy” leader. It is essentially 50, or 60 or whatever lb test you’d like of STRAIGHT flouro. I know this works because I once used a 60 lb test 10’ piece of flouro with a perfection loop on one end (loop to loop connection to the line) as well as a perfection loop to the fly. I used this 60lb test “homeboy” leader to land a 50lb GT on the flats of Kiribati. In that situation, it really didn’t matter because the only obstacles between the fish and I were deep blue water on the edge of a flat and maybe some coral that I was hoping my 60lb flouro would withstand. Also in these shallow flats the GT was the apex predator and only had to fear human anglers (this statement will make sense later). At that time all I knew was that building a leader was not my specialty.

A month prior I had gone to Columbia and lost 3 huge Peacock Bass on class tippets that I tied. I was using improved Albright knots that I learned from videos online. Theoretically, they should have worked just fine, but with a rushed learning period and no one to provide feedback except for my comparisons to images on Youtube I really had no idea what I was doing. The only other time I had to care about leaders for that large of a fish or greater was when fishing for tarpon in Islamorada, FL this past June 2019.  And on this trip is where I learned the benefits of using a class tippet.

1. Should your rod break or your reel come loose or any other kind of equipment failure occurs and you have a 100+ lb fish on the line, ideally, you want that reel back and you want those rod pieces back. In this situation, a class tippet will protect your gear if your 11 or 12wt tropical line has a 50lb core, or theoretically anything with a greater pound test than your class tippet.

a. PAUSE. I just realized that some might not be familiar with the term class tippet leader. Essentially this type of leader is comprised of 3 main sections (sometimes even just 2). The first section (the part closest to the fly line or butt secion) is something hard to break, like 40 to 60lb test. It is something with a substantial diameter such that a smoother transfer of energy can occur from fly like to leader during a cast. Connected to that you have a smaller lb test piece of line: the Class Tippet is usually 20-16lb way down to even 2lbs in some cases. And depending on the species in many cases the 3rd section is a bite tippet. This piece of line is something with a little thickness to it like 40-80lb test so that the targeted species cannot chew through the part of the line that comes in contact with its mouth. This 3rd section is connected to the fly. Ok, back to the benefits of using a class tippet…

2. Say you are fishing and stripping in line on a boat… doot doot de doo just enjoying the scenery then BOOM huge hit! Your line starts ripping out of the boat from the pile that you’ve made down near your feet. Where is it wrapped around?? Feet? Toes? Fingers? A wrist?? One morning in the keys this happened and the line was flying out of the boat so fast that it caught one of my fingers…pop! Guess what? I lost the fish but I got to keep my finger!! Amen.

3. Lastly, say you have the biggest permit you have ever seen on, or the most hydrodynamic bonefish known to woman, OR a tarpon so shiny you are blinded when the sun glistens off its mirrored body jumps. And then all of a sudden! Out of nowhere! Dun dun. Dun dun. Oh hi Jaws. Oh you wanna eat my disadvantaged fish? Not on my watch. With a class tippet you have the choice to selflessly point your rod tip directly at your prized (almost landed) fish and perform a sad but HERORIC long distance release. And then you sleep well at night. 

Ok so what is my dilemma? Well… I’m embarrassed to say but I do not feel confident in being able to tie a leader with class tippet inline. Who’s with me here!? Believe me, I have tried to learn. I learned all about improved Albright knots but after those leaders, I made failed me I don’t trust them. Actually, really I should say I don’t trust my ability to tie that specific knot correctly. What do I trust? At home, I have leader that Capt. Mike Alfano tied. It has a 16lb class tippet that was broken right in the middle of the class portion after a 2 hour fight with a 120lb tarpon. (my rod snapped on this fish so actually had that not have happened I highly suspect the leader would have stayed intact.)  So what does that tell me? This leader is drool face emoji GOLD. I’m going to do some research tonight and report back tomorrow.

I’m back! After a little DM-ing I got the skinny a couple of leader options. The first is from Capt. Mike Alfano of Islamorada, Florida. Mike is a guide who has spent immense amounts of time understanding tarpon behavior, migration patterns and feeding habits and will be sure to put you in the right spot at the right time. He has a variety of leaders he uses for adult tarpon and was kind enough to send me this recipe. 

Mike Alfano’s Recipe for Tarpon Leaders:

1. If your fly line comes with a pre welded loop 

   • Perfection loop on 6ft of 60 lb

   • Loop to loop connection

2. If you fly line does not come with a pre welded loop

   • Nail knot with 6 feet of 60lb (butt section)

3. Blood knot

4. 4 feet of 40lb

5. Improved blood knot

6. Just less than 18 inches of 20-16lb class tippet

7. Improved blood knot

8. Just less than 12 inches of 50lb “shock” or “bite” tippet

9. Fly is attached using improved homer roads loop knot

Mike has been fishing for tarpon since he was a child and if you’d like to see the kind of tarpon he or his clients catch using leaders like these check him out @captain_mike_alfano Mike notes also that if using a clear fly line you can shorten the overall length of the leader a tad. And alternatively if using a colored fly line lengthening the leader a tad won’t hurt either. He further notes that lubricating the blood knots using chapstick can really make a difference. As a final check make sure that there are not any burn marks in the 16lb class after clinching them down. 

I was also able to track down a leader recipe designed for more inshore fishing using a 7-9wt rod for tarpon up to 40 lbs. This one comes from a guide I fished with last June Capt. Buddy Kirkhart @night_heron_light_tackle. By the way, if you are ever in the Stuart, FL region of FL (2 hrs north of Miami) do not hesitate to book him. He is one of the most hilarious and kind guides I have ever fished with and you are guaranteed a trip to remember. Ok back to the leader!

Buddy’s Tarpon Leader recipe for Fly Fishing:

1. Assuming your fly line has a welded loop

2. Perfection loop

3. 3.5 feet of 40 lb mono

4. 2.5 feet of 30lb

5. 18 inches of 20lb.

6. 18 inches of 15lb

7. 12 inches of 30 lb for the bite tippet

8. All connections are a simple uni to uni knot

9. From bite tippet to fly Buddy uses a Mirro-lure loop knot.

10. Only substitute is a piece of 40lb bite tippet instead of that 30lb if the tarpon are on the plus side of 30lbs.

11. He notes that this basic leader works in 90% of all his situations and turns over well

Further, he notes that he ties his “traditional” tarpon leaders complete with a bimini twist and blood knots for his 10-12wt rods and/or poons over 50lbs. For this type of leader I won’t go into detail but if you’re interested in learning more about that kind of leaders and are in the Islamorada area swing by the Florida Keys Outfitters and hit up Jill Tisdale @jill_bird who ties them day in and day out at her local fly shop, for tournaments, visiting anglers, etc. 

For all of these knots, I was able to look up Youtube videos sent by Mike Alfano or with a simple Youtube search.  I know a lot of us get comfortable with the luxury depending on our guides to make the leaders but I feel it’s important for myself to have a basic back up plan in the case that I’m traveling to a destination where class tippet leaders aren’t the norm and I just feel more humane and safe using one. Also, no judgment on “homeboy” leaders as I’m all about that life given a specific situation. With leaders packed, may the good lord fill Thatch Caye Island with massive tarpon, permit, bonefish or another goliath. Amen.

Article by Ruth Simms (@navajoflyfisher). This is featured on flylordsmag.com from a trip with Team Flylords down to Thatch Caye Island Resort while fishing with Blue Horizon Belize in the famed Permit Alley region of Southern Belize.

Belize Barracuda Fly Fishing Opportunities

Like many saltwater flats destinations in the world, barracuda are present year-round on the flats of Belize. A barracuda or commonly called “the wolf of the flats” they are a large, predatory ray-finned fish known for its fearsome appearance and aggressive behavior. Barracuda range in size from a couple pounds to 80 pounds and 6 feet in length. The larger ones are considered “Great Barracuda” and are more commonly encountered when diving or fishing at deeper depths. However, barracuda in the 20-40 pound class are common in the flats of Belize and can be effectively targeted with a fly rod.

A barracuda can be a temperamental eater and will not always eat a well-presented fly. So here are a couple of tips to keep in mind when fly fishing for barracuda in Belize.

• Be stealthy: once a barracuda knows you are there the fish will sit there and act like it doesn’t see you. But really the fish see’s you and is aware that you are fishing for it. So think of this as you typically are only going to get one really good shot and make the best of it.

• Be prepared at all times: Typically your not going to see a larger good sized barracuda each day flats fishing Belize, unless the guide knows of a resident fish and you ask to target it. So as you spend your day flats fishing, rig up a rod for fly fishing barracuda. Have it ready in the boat at all times. Some fishing pairs will always have one angler ready with the cuda or shark rod to maximize time on the flats boat with the guide.

• Cast past the fish: Since cuda seem to be smarter than they look and eat, be smart about fly placement. Cast 10-15 past the fish or ahead of the fish. Just be sure to throw the line overtop the fish. The fly does not need to be right on top of the cuda like when your permit fishing.

• Proper retrieve: You cannot move the fly fast enough. Once the fly hits the water, begin stripping that fly to get it moving and when the cuda shows interest try to strip it even faster.

• Proper Gear:

  • 9-12 Weight Rod

  • Tropical Line with Clear Tip

  • Toothy Critter Wire Leaders work great or build your own. Tie a 12-foot butt section of 60# fluorocarbon to the line and then attach three feet of 16# or 20# hard monofilament with an improved blood knot, add a foot of wire bite tippet.

  • Specific Baracuda Flies work best like the Umpqua Barracuda Fly. You can also use tarpon flies like the black death and cockroach. But the double hook on the specific cuda flies works very well.

If all else fails, spin to win. Spin fishing for barracuda can be much simpler than fly fishing. So if for some reason you don’t have another fly rod for a cuda setup. Ask the guide to bring a spin rod and have it rigged up with a tube.

In Belize, we eat a lot of the barracuda we catch. It is safe to eat barracuda in these waters. They taste very good with a white flakey texture similar to that of mahi mahi. Light fry or on the grill with Marie Sharps is the ticket.

Belize Saltwater Fly Fishing Gear Packing List

So you have booked your fly fishing trip to Belize and are wondering what you might need to pack for your adventure. Here is some general information about what we suggest to pack for fly fishing in Belize.

Belize is a tropical country where the average temperature is 84, so expect this more or less most days of the year. While like any place in the world Belize does experience cold fronts and warm fronts so be sure to check the weather before heading to Belize. A lot of the time when you check the weather during the rainy season it says rain every day, well this may be true but these rainstorms only last for less than an hour. So don’t be discouraged that the weather says rain every day a lot of the time this is not the case. Here is a link for a detailed weather report of Southern Belize: https://old.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=434969&sty=m_spot.

General Packing List:

• Light rain jacket and sweater for cool mornings/evenings and early morning boat runs. You never know when a tropical rainstorm may decide to move through.

• Light quick-dry shirts, shorts, and pants for protection from the sun.

• Polarized sunglasses for spotting fish (amber, copper, or green mirror work best on the flats), bring two pairs if you have them. One pair for the runs to the fishing grounds and another pair for the actual fishing.

• Wide-brimmed hat for protection from the sun.

• Buff or other sun protection for the head and neck.

• Personal medications.

• Small waterproof bag for carrying extra gear or dry bag backpack.

• Camera, batteries, plenty of memory/film, and lens cleaner.

• Sunscreen, lip balm, and moisturizers (SPF 30+).

• Insect repellent (we recommend OFF brand spray with the orange cap).

• Hand towel/rag for fishing use.

• Wading shoes or boots for stalking flats fish, if desired - We recommend HARD SOLES

  BOOTS. Simms, Patagonia, or Orvis makes a Zip-it style or Flats Sneakers that work very well.

  Normal wading boots can be very clunky and heavy to pack. Our guides like to wade fish for tailing permit a lot of the flats in Southern Belize.

• Fisherman’s pliers, clipper, and line cleaner

• Optional: binoculars and snorkeling gear. Our guides can take you snorkeling on your fishing day if you would like. This does cut into the fishing time but can be a nice way to break up a week of fishing. Be sure to bring your own snorkel gear.

Fly Fishing Gear:

Recommended Permit Tackle:

• Rods: 9 or 10 weight

• Reel: Saltwater reel holding a minimum of 200 yards of 20-pound backing

• Fly Line: Tropical Weight Forward Floating

• Leader: 9-12 feet

• Tippet: 12-20 pound test, 16 pound is the go-to. Fluorocarbon offers an advantage

Recommended Tarpon Tackle:

• Rods: 11 or 12 weight

• Reel: Saltwater reel holding a minimum of 200 yards of 30-pound backing

• Fly Line: Intermediate and sink tip (350-500 grains sink tip). Having both of these lines makes you prepared for every scenario. We often will fish deeper channels most of the time and the heavy sink line is mandatory for this.

• Leader: 4 - 6 ft. butt section, 16 - 20-pound class tippet and 60 - 100-pound shock tippet

Recommended Bonefish Tackle:

• Rods: 7 or 8 weight

• Reel: Saltwater reel holding at least 200 yards of 20-pound backing

• Fly Line: Tropical Weight forward floating line

• Leader: 9-14 feet - depending upon the fishing situation

• Tippet: 2X-0X 8-12 pound test - fluorocarbon offers an advantage

FLIES:

Permit Flies:

• Bauer’s Crab - Olive and Tan size 6-8 (sometimes size 4)

• Camo Crab - Olive size 4 and 6

• Del Brown's Permit Fly (Merkin) - Tan size #2 to 1/0

• Enrico Puglisi's EP Crab - Olive, Tan, Tri, size 6, 4, 2

• Various other Crab patterns in olive or tan - size 6-1/0 Smaller, lighter variations for the shallow flats

Bonefish Flies:

• Pops' Bonefish Bitters, #6 & #8 (Olive and Amber)

• Crazy Charlies - chartreuse, white, pink & brown (unweighted for outer flats) #6 & #8

• Gotcha’s - white, pink, tan , #6 & #8

Tarpon Flies: sizes 3/0 to 4/0

• Gummy minnow - size 2, 2/0

• Apte-style tarpon flies in various color combinations. Dark colors tend to be better in the early morning and brighter colors work best when the sun is bright.

• Deceiver patterns - various colors

Hopefully, this packing list will prepare you for your fishing trip to Belize. If you are in need of specific fly fishing gear we do offer rentals. Be sure to reach out to us at info@bluehorizonbelize.com for any specific questions in regards to the gear.

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?

Tip #1: Have the right gear and know-how to use it.

Make sure to come prepared with the correct gear for your Belize fly fishing adventure. While many lodges, outfitters, and guides do provide gear it is not always everything that you need to make the most of your Belize fly fishing trip. It is better to be prepared for your trip with your own gear, so you don’t have to assume or set your hopes on that the outfitter your use will have the proper gear for you.

For starters, it is recommended to have 3 rods rigged up and ready to go each day for your guided trip. We recommend setting up a 9 foot 7 or 8 weight rod for bonefish (floating line, 8-12 pound fluorocarbon leader, and a bonefish fly). The second rod would be your permit rod, a 9 or 10 weight rod (floating line, 16-20 pound fluorocarbon leader, and permit fly. The third rod would be your tarpon rod or cuda/shark setup. Typically this is setup with a clear intermediate tip line weight to match the rod, tarpon leader or wire leader if you are after cuda or sharks. It is also recommended to bring a sink tip spool or reel for this setup as fishing the deep channels for tarpon is common in Belize and a full sink line is essential. It is also good to bring a back up 9 or 10 weight rod and have it on the boat in case one of the rods breaks. Think of this as your backup permit rod. By having the right gear prepped and ready to roll you will be able to make the most of your time on the flats of Belize.

Tip#2:Make sure to have a reputable guide booked.

A local Belizean fly fishing guide will take the learning curve out of trying to learn the complexities of saltwater flats fishing and specifically permit fly fishing. The guides are out on the water 200 plus days a year and have been out on the water their whole lives. They know where the permit live, what tides to fish specific flats, and how to make your day unforgettable. More often than not tourists coming to Belize believe that DIY is the way to go and while this may be possible in some areas it is not as productive as fishing from a boat with a guide.

It’s important to book a guide farther in advance to ensure you are getting an experienced fly fishing guide. While some guides to claim to offer fly fishing they are more often taking out spin or reef fishing trips. So be sure to double check that the guide you booked is reputable and understands fly fishing.

The guides at Blue Horizon Belize are all english speaking and are knowledgable, personable, and patient instructors. We do our best to match clients with the best fitting guide for their personality and fishing preferences.

Tip#3: Practice casting heavy rods and be able to haul fly line with one fly line pick up.

One step you can take to prepare yourself for your fly fishing trip is to practice casting the heavier weighted rods. We recommend to head out to a lake or take your boat out and rig up the rods just like you would for your saltwater fly fishing trip. It also helps if you have a friend come along to help roll play real scenarios that would happen out on the flats. Instead of peeling off all the line and trying to double haul as far as you can focus first on accuracy. Have your friend call out “shots” of imaginary fish. For example, they say 12’o’cock 40 feet you then make the cast. Then again 3’o’clock 60 feet. Then again 10’o’clock 20 feet. Try going through different shots just like it would happen on the flats in Belize.

One component to keep in mind that most novice saltwater anglers seem to forget is to focus on being able to make your casting with one double haul. So if you have to make a 60 foot shot at 10’o’clock, try making this cast without false casting. Or once you have made your shot and your line is out, try to pick up all your line and make another shot without false casting.

One of the number one mistakes novice salt fly anglers make is too much false casting. Have confidence in your ability to shoot line with one double haul. So practice this at home and you will be better offer when you arrive to catch a permit of a lifetime in Belize.

Hopefully these tips will prepare you for a fly fishing trip of a lifetime to Southern Belize. Be sure to send us an email at info@bluehorizonbelize.com to check availability for fly fishing guides or to book your fly fishing adventure to Belize.

Wading Boots for Flats Fishing Belize

If you have booked a trip with Blue Horizon Belize, you have probably seen that we recommend bringing hard-soled saltwater wading boots. While this item is not essential, especially if you are just going for one day, they do come in handy for certain scenarios out in the flats. It could make or break a day, especially for a beginner angler.

You can get closer to a fish on foot as opposed to in the boat. Wading boots allow you to get out of the boat and get closer to a feeding or tailing permit. This is great for many novice anglers as it can mean making a 30-foot cast on foot instead of taking a 60-foot cast from the boat. While not every permit can be hunted down on foot, you will often have a shot or two on foot on average per day.

To be best prepared we recommend bringing down a pair of trusted flats wading boots so you can stalk a permit on foot.

Flats Boots we recommend:

*Please contact your local fly shop to see if they have any in-stock. #buylocal

Orvis Fishing Christmas Island Bootie $79.00: minimalist, lightweight enough to get the job done from the boat. Avoid this model if you plan to do a full day of wading on your own, no foot support. But great for quick off and on’s from the flats boat.

Simms Fishing ZipIt II Flats Booties $99.95: lightweight and easy on and off these are great for the angler who doesn’t need a lot of boot support and will just be using in and off the boat.

Simms Fishing Flats Sneakers $169.95: these are durable, long-lasting, and comfortable flats boots. If you plan to do some wading on your own these would be the ones. They will last a little longer and give you more traction.

Other options:

Sandals will not protect your feet from stinging coral but they will be better than going barefoot. Cheap water shoes are always an option but these tend to get pretty beat up fast. You can also use an old pair of sneakers with tube socks. Just know that the saltwater will eat them up pretty good. Normal wading boots built for waders with wading socks are a decent option but are extremely heavy to pack and can be timely to put on quickly. We do recommend a pair of flats specific shoes if you are fishing multiple days with us, you will thank us later.

What to Wear on Your Flats Fly Fishing Trip in Belize

Most people that want to enjoy a day in the sun on a flats boat down in Belize would think of wearing maybe swim trunks or a bathing suit and lots of sunscreen. But, most people who have been in a flats boat for a full day or wading the flats for a full day know that if you just wear a swimsuit you’re probably going to look like a lobster by happy hour. While a swimsuit is perfect to wear as a “base layer” below you will find a general guide of recommended clothing and gear you need to bring for your permit fly fishing adventure in Belize.

While most all of our Belizean Fly Fishing guides have canopy’s on their boats. Often when fishing the canopy’s are down so the sun will be beaming down on you. If you prefer to have a guide with a canopy please let us know and let the guide know you would like the canopy up as much as possible.

Hat and Sun Mask (Buff):

Make sure to bring a baseball cap or wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off your face. Many flats specific hats even have a black under-visor to absorb sunlight to make it easier to target fish. Many anglers prefer light-colored water-resistant hats in the flats. Simms Fly Fishing makes a few that are specific to the tropical flats.

A Buff of facemask is also essential to keep the sun off the back of your head and face. They can be bought almost everywhere and can be easily packed in your carry on bag. So don’t forget your buff as it will keep that sun off your face and prevent unnecessary sunburns.

Fishing Shirt or Sun Hoody:

A lightweight long sleeve fishing shirt is a great item to bring down to Belize for your days on the water. The classic Columbia PFG is one that many anglers prefer. The breathable shirts allow for comfortable fishing in the hottest conditions. The collar also protects you from the sun.

A sun hoody is more of a newer trend in flats fishing. The lightweight hoody keeps the strong UV rays off your skin thus, reducing your body temperature. The hoody also is nice as it provides UV sun protection on your head and face.

For women both a hoody and a long sleeve fishing shirt work great as a layer over a bathing suit, so you can still soak up some rays.

Pants or Shorts:

Many anglers prefer lightweight fishing pants as these protect your legs from getting sunburnt on a long day of fly fishing. Shorts and swim trunks are also a good option depending on your preference.

Packable Rain Jacket:

This is probably the most often neglected essential item to bring on your flats fly fishing trip to Southern Belize. You think you are headed to a tropical climate with warm temps, well often in the mornings before the sun is rising it can be a bit chilly out on the ocean. Especially if the waves are a little choppy and the water is splashing in the boat. So be sure to pack a lightweight rain jacket on your flats fly fishing trip. There is also always the chance of quick tropical rain systems that move through.

Footwear:

Most anglers who fish from a flats boat prefer to be barefoot to be able to feel the line if it tangles at your feet. This is a great option but if you are fishing for multiple days your feet may take a beating from the sun even with the aid of sunscreen. Another option is to wear some socks with traction on the bottom or lightweight boat shoes, sandals or even your wading boots. But remember one loud step and that tailing permit will be long gone. So we recommend barefoot and having a backup in case your feet do get a little sunburnt.

Also, be sure to pack your saltwater wading boots in the boat and have them readily available.

Polarized Sunglasses:

Polarized sunglasses are essential for your flats fishing trip. Many anglers bring two pairs, one as a backup or to wear when you take runs to the flats so one pair stays crystal clear of saltwater. Bringing some alcohol wipes in your kit is a good addition for cleaning the saltwater off your glasses. The flats fly fishing guides prefer typically Costa or Smith Glass lenses in the green or blue mirror lens for bright days or the copper or grey lens on cloudier days.

Waterproof Dry Bag:

Packing all these gear into one waterproof dry bag is a great way to stay organized. Simms, Patagonia, Orvis, and other fly fishing companies make a handle of dry bags, backpacks, slings, duffels, and hip packs that work great for flats fly fishing from a boat. While you can put your bags in the hull to keep them dry having a nice waterproof bag is a great addition.

Guide tip: Have a plastic bag or fly puck of some flies and tippet that you can stick in your pocket if you need to hop out of the boat to hunt a fish down. This makes it so if you break off or have to change flies you can do so quickly.

If you have any additional questions about what to wear for your flats fishing trip in Belize, feel free to reach out to us at info@bluehorizonbelize.com. We hope that this aids and prepares you to catch your grand slam a permit, bonefish, and tarpon down in Belize!

Permit Fly Fishing 101 [With Basic Tips]

Permit Fly Fishing 101 [With Basic Tips]

Permit, are known as the "Holy Grail" of fly fishing, are by far the most difficult, picky and frustrating fish you'll encounter on the flats. They have superb eyesight and a well-developed sense of smell. 

Due to body shape, permit seem to be much more comfortable in deeper water. Although it is fairly common to see a permit with its tail and dorsal fin sticking out of the water, it usually won't remain that way for long. Permit seem to suddenly appear on a flat for a brief feeding spree and then fade back into the safety of the deeper water. They're constantly on the move.

Quick, accurate casting skills (and a lot of luck) are essential. Our experienced guides greatly increase your chance of catching this tricky fish.

Basic Tips to Permit Fishing:

1. 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.

2. Assess every encounter differently. Since permit can be tough to catch, each encounter with them is different. So be aware of each scenario, ask yourself different questions. Is this fish tailing? Is this fishing moving? Is it a school of fish? Just a single fish? Is there chop to the water or is it straight calm? All these different questions will change the way you target the fish. So ask your guide what he would do in these different scenarios.

   Keep in mind to try to cast the fly far enough away from the fish that the splash will not spook it but close enough that it will first notice the fly when the pattern drops through the water column.

3. Never give up on a fish. If you think you blew the shot and permit spooked, don’t give up. It’s common for a permit to initially spook and then come back and eat the fly. So listen to your guide and watch the fish closely. And never pull that fly out to early. Most permit anglers have made this mistake before.

4. Understand the hookset. A big part of catching the permit is getting a proper hookset. The first step to do this is to make sure you have the slack out of the line and you are tight to the fly. So after you make a cast, typically you will need to strip in a little to get the slack out. Once the slack is out you have a tight connection to the fly and can almost feel when the permit eats. Watch the fish closely and listen to your guide. If the fish eats it set the hook with a strip set and never lift that rod tip up.

5. Think about how to land a permit before you hook a permit. What do you do once you hook a permit? More often than not you are going to let this fish run and the guide will use the boat to the advantage. In Belize, coral can break you off very fast, so if you are around any coral raise the rod high so that the line does not wrap on coral. Also, be sure to clear your slackline easily and avoid wrap-ups on unnecessary gear.

SUGGESTED GEAR:

Rod: 8,9, or 10 wt (Stiff to cast crab patterns in the wind). Standard is a 9 foot 4 piece rod.

Reel: Anodized, corrosion resistant saltwater model. Should be able to hold a full line plus 300 yards of 20 or 30 lb. backing.  A high quality smooth disc drag is essential.

Line: Tropical Floating Line to match the line weight.

Leaders: 10 ft. 16 pound leaders are standard. Extra spools of 16 and 20 lb. Saltwater tippet are nice to have.

Flies:  A large selection of crab and shrimp patterns in a variety of sizes, colors, and weights. Tan, olive and various shades of brown seem to be the most effective colors for most Belizean waters. Be sure to have a variety of different sink rates.

Hopefully, these tips and gear recommendations will help you in your journey to catching more permit on the fly. Be sure to send us an email to check availability for guided fly fishing in Belize and availability at the Blue Horizon Lodge. One of the finest permit destinations in the world.