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.

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.

The resort attracts honeymooners from all over the world as it is complete with oceanfront penthouses and overwater bungalows, so there will be no shortage of drunken happy go lucky couples to laugh the evenings away with. The advantage to this is that while yes you will mostly come across a plethora of vacationing couples, you will be all alone in your fly-fishing quest for one of the most challenging sport fish of all time. Trachinotus falcatus. Otherwise known as the Permit.

Thatch Caye is centered in the heart of permit country. Surrounded by the world’s largest living reef, the Belize Barrier Reef you can literally cast to schools of tailing permit and not see another soul for miles past the horizon. One morning we just hopped on a couple of the community bicycles and peddled down to the north end of the island.

Stealthy as we could peering through openings in the hanging palms we spotted bonefish tailing just a rod lengths from the shore. Someone wake me up, it can’t be this easy… All along the west side and close to the overwater tiki bar thrashing takes and baitfish raining just above the surface for their lives echo throughout the night.

The water is alive with hunting barracuda, reef fish brilliantly strutting every color of the spectrum, and of course your game fish: bones, tarpon and permit.

Say for example not every person in your party wants to fly fish every day. No worries, your experience is completely designed by the interests of you and those who accompany you. Snorkeling, diving, lobster/conch hunting, basket weaving, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, river boat tours, island crawl via a floating bar, body treatments, spa massage are all on the table. Evenings if you so desire can end with popping bottles on a stargazer’s cruise under the Belizean Night Sky. And again if all you came for is the fly fishing then you can literally fish till your heart’s content.

While we were there we had the incredible opportunity of fishing with the Permit Master himself. When you meet Lincoln Westby you have immediate innate respect for this man. A legendary Belizean fly fishing guide he was fishing for permit with a fly rod before the rest of the world knew what a permit was.

At 78 years of age, he was polling us around the flats as if he had just reached his prime, telling us fish stories from 40-50 years ago while slipping in life lessons of forgiveness, humility and well-being.

Lincoln is simply an immense wealth of knowledge that no video, book or article could ever fully convey. His kindness, patience and direction deemed him an absolute pleasure to spend the days fly fishing with and the words and stories he shared with us will not soon be forgotten. (Lincoln is the lead guide for Blue Horizon Belize, an Orvis Endorsed fly fishing outfitter that operates out of Thatch Caye Island Resort).

The island resort is well aware of the jewel of a location in which they are located when it comes to destination fly fishing so they have cleverly designed several of their cabanas to accommodate the visiting angler. At the end of a long day on the salt, all you want to do is shower and be cold right? Well, you just mosey yourself on down to your private quarters, hang your rods on the fly rod holders built right onto your cabanas deck, step inside and blast the AC.

You must, however, be very cautious of the beds in the angler cabanas…. I kid you not, the first night I slept there I awoke the next morning feeling as though I had slept for a week and subtracted 10 years of aging. A nap could turn into missing dinner and dinner at Thatch Caye is not something you can forgive yourself for if you miss.

The first night prepared by the Island’s private chef we had lobster that was caught that day from a rocks throw away. The food is thoughtfully and artistically prepared as the chef has the support of a crew of 5-6 servers, sous chefs and line cooks all with one goal which is to make sure that every bite is an invigorating experience.

I think that in itself is exactly what this Muy’Ono Resort envisioned when they designed this paradise destination. They pictured a glistening sunset and you walking barefoot, past the breezy palms on your way to a hammock, pina colada in hand and a smile from ear to ear reminiscing on a day of fly fishing that you won’t ever forget.

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

Best Time to Visit Belize for Fly Fishing

 Belize is a tropical country where the average temperature is 84F and it generally stays in the 80’s year-round. This means we fish year-round and the fish are active all the time. The busy season coincides with the dry season from late November to May. The traditional prime time to fish in Belize is from February through May. And the rainy season begins in June and lasts through October. This season may have more average rainfall, but the tropical storm systems move through quickly, for the most part. Don’t let the title “rainy season” spook you off, as most commonly the rainy part of the day happens during the evening hours. Typically, thunderstorms rage across the evening skies, often dumping large amounts of rain while you sleep. As the sun rises in the early hours, the clouds burn off and wind dies to near nothing.

During the summer months, you can expect less pressure on the flats and less occupancy at the lodges and towns which can be nice for travelers seeking more solitude. If you are going on a budget there are also off-season rates from June-November. Summer time offers some of the most productive fishing days, because the fish are less pressured, the tides are ideal, and there are schools of large migratory tarpon around. Hands down, June, July, and Aug are the best time of the year to catch a Grand Slam.

Our guides fish 365 days a year.

What remains more important for anglers chasing flats fish it coming at the right tides. The tide cycles coincide with the moon cycle, while every month can be different we generally recommend fishing around the new and full moon. Our guides are on the water every day and experts at knowing when fish will show up at each flat. So no need to worry about figuring out the tides, the team at Blue Horizon can assist you in this.

Planning a Family Fly Fishing Vacation to Belize

Belize is a great destination for a family vacation. The beaches, pools, jungle adventures, Mayan ruins and of course all the ocean activities like fishing. And as a plus, the travel to Belize can be quite simple from most North American cities with direct flights from many international destinations (Houston, Newark, Atlanta, LAX to name a few).

So instead of getting your Caribbean beach fix in at destinations in Mexico like Cabo or Cancun, Belize may be a good fit for your next family vacation. And the best part is that the fly fishing in Belize is plentiful. Below you will find a few pointers when planning your family fly fishing vacation to Belize.

Choose Your Resort Wisely:

The most important aspect of planning your family fly fishing vacation to Belize is to choose the right resort for your family. For the typical family with kids under the age of 10, a beach resort like Hopkins Bay Beach Resort or The Placencia Resort is a good fit. These resorts have a lot of different amenities and onsite services like a pool, beachfront access, beach toys like kayaks, paddleboards, and bikes. They even offer babysitting services in case you wanted to leave the kids behind while you hit the flats with your Belizean Fly Fishing Guide. Another plus to these resorts is the dining experience, with multiple bars/restaurants onsite, order off of a menu can be a simple solution to picky eaters. The one negative about staying on the mainland is you do typically sacrifice some of the fishing as the fishing flats are located off of the mainland on the reef and in the cayes. So you do end up losing some time making boat runs to get out there and the DIY Fly Fishing from the beach isn’t the same as wading a flat. So ask yourself, where would your family be happy?

If your family is a little more adventurous and say maybe are young adults or grown adults, staying out at an island resort may be a better fit. Island resorts capture the true beauty of Belize, but you do sacrifice some of the amenities like the full food menu, pool, cultural tours in the town, and other amenities. The resort called Thatch Caye Island Resort is a good fit for fly fishing families as there is plenty of amenities including Wifi, air conditioning, a rotating menu, and flats to fish right on the island.

Plan Non-Fishing Activities:

This tip comes directly from an angler to another angler. Make sure your family has other things to do other than fly fishing during their vacation. While you may spend every day of the vacation out on the flats with a Belizean Fly Fishing Guide your family might not. So make sure to plan some non-fishing activities for your family. Some popular activities include snorkeling, SCUBA diving, lobster or conch diving, jungle tours, Mayan ruin tours, and even some spa time. If your kids are seasoned with a fly rod then no worries the traditional spin or reef fishing is a must for every family. Trolling live bait along the Belizean Reef catching jacks, barracuda, snapper, mackerel, and other species. The best part is you get to keep and eat the catch for dinner!

Planning Your Travel:

Once you land in Belize at the international airport in Belize City most likely you will be transferred to another area of the country for your vacation. The easiest way to get around the country is by utilizing the commuter flights out of Belize City. These commuter flights run very frequently throughout the country and are most definitely the fastest way to travel the country. So if you have booked your family vacation in Placencia, then a quick 35-minute commuter flight from Belize International Airport to Placencia and you will be one step closer to the beach. The flights are also very scenic and enjoyable for many families. Instead of dreading more travel to your final destination, embracing the flight as an attraction can make the last leg of travel much more enjoyable.

Few things to keep in mind when booking:

What is your budget?

How many days of fishing do you want to do?

Do you prefer to have more services and amenities like a pool? Or do you prefer more of an adventure?

How many people are in your family? How many beds and rooms do you need?

At Blue Horizon Belize, we can customize and create a memorable family vacation with a heavy dose of quality fly fishing. So shoot us an email today to start booking your vacation of a lifetime. info@bluehorizonbelize.com.

A Guide to Fly Fishing Placencia, Belize [A Permit Paradise]

Fly Fishing in Placencia, Belize

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.

What’s unique about Placencia is it located on a thin peninsula with a large lagoon on one side and the ocean on the other, the isolated village is a must-see for any traveler. “The sidewalk” on the tip on the peninsula has numerous smaller resorts, BandB’s, local restaurants and bars perfect for a couple of day stay for any angler.

The Travel to Placencia Village:

The small village is perfect as travelers do not need any sort of transportation to access all the amenities and services. Many of the accommodations offer complimentary shuttles as well as free bikes. A lot of tourists also like to utilize golf carts while staying in Placencia. The easiest way to get to Placencia is to take a commuter flight from Belize International Airport. Airlines like Tropic Air or Maya Island Air offer flights every hour or so throughout the day and the cost is around $265.00 per person roundtrip. The flight time is around 35 minutes as driving could take 4-5 hours, so for most the flight is the way to go.

Accommodations in Placencia Village:

Since the small tourism boom in Placencia, the locals and hospitality companies have created many different lodging options to meet each traveler’s needs. On the tip of the Peninsula, there are many different vacation rentals as well as a small resort called the Brisa Oceano. This resort has wonderful rooms, complete with full kitchens. It is located on the very tip of the Peninsula on the sidewalk and on the beach. So this makes it perfect for travelers looking to enjoy all the local cuisine and culture the Peninsula has to offer. It is also located next to the two well-known bars where most people wind down there day. The bars are called the Tipsy Tuna and Barefoot Beach Bar. Definitely check these out and enjoy the beach views and tropical drinks.

If you are looking for accommodations with a little more amenities and services, a little bit farther out of the main village there are some wonderful resorts including the Placencia Resort. This resort is complete with multiple restaurants onsite, a pool, exercise room, variety of room types and full harbor.

Another option that many tourists prefer is to do a combo trip where they stay 3-5 nights on the mainland and then head out to a caye or island to stay 3-5 nights. This way you get the full Belizean experience of the culture on the mainland and then escape to the beauty of a Caribbean island. One island I recommend highly due to its location of wonderful fishing and snorkeling is Ranguana Caye. This Belizean island has a great flat for DIY fly fishing for bonefish.

The Fly Fishing in Placencia Belize

Like most other areas on the mainland of Belize, the fishing right off the beach in Placencia is not that productive as the reef is located about 20 miles offshore. The reef is where phenomenal fishing occurs. So hiring a guide is essential to your fishing adventure when you're in Placencia. While at certain times of the year and certain conditions there can be some beach fishing for jacks, tarpon, snook, and barracuda. Don’t count on this as it can be a bit finicky. But the true draw to this village is the reef right off the coast. The fishery is just endless with pancake flats, cayes, and lagoons in islands that tarpon frequent (Tarpon Caye). As well as some blue water right off the reef that can be productive for deep sea fishing.

Many of the guides at Blue Horizon Belize, are born and raised in Placencia or the nearby village of Independence. These Placencia fly fishing guides are the real deal and will take you on an unforgettable fly fishing experience for permit, tarpon, bonefish and much more. To book your fly fishing adventure in Placencia, reach out to us at info@bluehorizonbelize.com. We offer package specials with lodging, food, and guided fishing.

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.

At Blue Horizon Belize we offer customizable honeymoon and couples fly fishing packages. You can decide how many days you want to book a fly fishing guide and if you want to add anything other activities like SCUBA diving. The guides at Blue Horizon Belize are also happy to take you for a combo day of snorkeling and fly fishing. We can also accommodate spin fishing if your spouse is not comfortable with a fly rod. But…there are nearby cayes with schools of bonefish that can be a lot of fun for a novice angler.

Blue Horizon Belize works exclusively with Thatch Caye Island Resort. This small resort offers adventure and island fun in a barefoot casual environment. The accommodations are breathtaking with a rustic Belizean feel, but only include the necessities, unlike your typical luxury hotel suite. The island is limited to 30 guests at a time and 15 rooms. It also has 5 Premier Over Water Bungalows, which are a favorite for couples. The single standing structures are the perfect romantic accommodation. Some of our guests have claimed that they have caught permit and bonefish standing on the porch of their Over Water Bungalow. One guest even provided a picture so the proof was in the picture.

There is a nice flat at Thatch Caye that sometimes will have bonefish and permit feeding at certain tides. You can also kayak and paddle board to nearby cayes that have some wadable flats. But the true experience is to hire one of Blue Horizon’s local Belizean fly fishing guides for a professional guided trip. Thatch Caye is located in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve. This area is known as “permit alley” due to the vast amount of flats with tailing permit. The best part about Thatch Caye is that the guide will pick you up and within two minutes you could be having shots at permit, bonefish, and tarpon. It is a true saltwater angler’s paradise and the accommodations and food at Thatch Caye are wonderful.

We also offer “Rock to Reef” packages with Copal Tree Lodge, which is located to the south in Punta Gorda. Couples will enjoy 3-5 nights at each resort. You will get the jungle land based adventure at Copal Tree Lodge and then the island getaway at Thatch Caye. At Copal Tree the fishing program is more focused on permit, so Thatch Caye does offer better fly fishing opportunities for the novice angler.

Whether your planning a romantic getaway, or celebrating an anniversary or want to do a couples trip with some of your friends Thatch Caye Island Resort is a great option for fly fishing anglers. Be sure to send us an email at info@bluehorizonbelize.com to check availability and inquire about a customized couples fly fishing vacation.

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.

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!

Hosted Saltwater Fly Fishing Trips in Belize

At Blue Horizon Belize we allow our guests and customers to “host” groups of anglers at our various resorts that we operate at. What this means is if you are a host you will be in charge of getting all the deposits for your group’s trip, taking care of travel questions, and any other questions your group may have. We are also here to help aid you in the process of being a host.

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.

What makes a good host?

Know what your group wants and understand what the fishery and lodge offers. At Blue Horizon Belize, we are heavily focused on permit fishing. This type of fishing may not be for everyone so be sure to communicate to your group what exactly each day looks like and what the fishing catch rates and expectations should be. That’s why we are here every step of the way to help you plan your hosted fly fishing trip to Belize.

If you are interested in hosting a saltwater fly fishing trip in Belize, the team at Blue Horizon Belize is here to help you, reach out to us at info@bluehorizonbelize.com to check availability.

Belize Fly Fishing Guides

Belize Fly Fishing Guides

In the country of Belize, qualified and experienced fly fishing guides can be hard to come by especially during the busy tourist season from December to May if you don’t book ahead. Many renowned fly fishing guides book out quite early, some as far as a year out. While sometimes you can get lucky when a guide has a gap in his schedule but often the top caliber guides are booked and usually booked around the quality tides.

Do note that English is the primary language in Belize. So all fly fishing guides in Belize are English speaking. Some of the guides will speak in the local creole at times.

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.

The guides at Blue Horizon Belize are held to the highest standard. They enjoy what they do and are good at what they do. They are professionally trained, held accountable by the other guides and staff, and have an established client base. They are also all insured and have up to date Captain’s Licenses and Tour Guide Licenses. Two credentials that are mandatory for any Belize fishing guides but often overlooked. These credentials are often a good indicator if your guide runs a “tight” program.

How to Become a Fly Fishing Guide in Belize?

In the country of Belize in order to be a fly fishing guide you need to be a Belizean citizen. This regulation has protected the local citizens of this livelihood and has prevented many international fly fishing guides from flocking to the area to open up operations and guide as we have seen in other Caribbean countries like Mexico. If you are a Belizean citizen and want to become a fly fishing guide you will need to retain your tour guide license as well as your captain’s license.

It’s a Family Tradition

Like many other Caribbean fly fishing destinations, guiding is a family business that is passed on generation to generation. Our fly fishing guides were taught by their fathers, who were taught by their fathers and now our guides are teaching their children.

Many family names are very renowned in the Belize fly fishing guide business. Westby, Leslie, Cabral, and Garbutt are just a few of the fly fishing families that work with Blue Horizon and Muy’Ono Resorts.

Of course, Lincoln Westby, the founder of Blue Horizon Lodge and our lead guide, is one family name to mention. Lincoln’s roots are in Hopkins and Dangriga. You can learn more about Westby family fishing HERE.

To the South in Placencia, the Leslie family is known for their fly fishing expertise. Charlie Leslie, the founder of Tarpon Caye Lodge, is a popular guide in Southern Belize. His son Marlon Leslie is one of the most renowned guides in the region and lead guide for Blue Horizon. Ivan Leslie, Blake Leslie, and Bruce Leslie also operate in Placencia with Blue Horizon

Another common family name of fishing guides in southern Belize is Cabral. At Blue Horizon, Steve Cabral is a lead guide and his son, Kevon Cabral, is an aspiring guide in his early 20’s that will be a permit master for years to come.

Down south all the way in Punta Gorda, there’s only one guide name that comes to the mind: Garbutt. The Garbutts are a family of commercial fishermen that have branched into guiding fly fishing. Scully, Oliver, and Eworth are the three brothers who guide out of the Garbutts Fishing Lodge in Punta Gorda and service Copal Tree Lodge.

A quality fly fishing guide is hard to come by, a top-caliber guide can be expected when you book with Blue Horizon, at the Lodge or at any of our partner hotels.

Sport Fishing License Required to Fish in Belize

Sport Fishing License Required to Fish in Belize

In order to sport fish in Belize, whether it is catch and release or you will be keeping fish to eat, you are required to have a fishing license. The best way to retain a fishing license is to head over to the Coastal Zone Management Authority Sports Fishing License Portal and fill out the electronic form to retain the license. Make sure to save a copy of the confirmation on your mobile device or print it out to have while fishing in Belize.

Upon checking out you will select the License Type to be Sport Fishing (Catch and Release Only) regardless if you are keeping fish or not.

The cost of the licenses:

1 Day $20.00 BZE
1 Week $50.00 BZE

Blue Horizon Lodge Pre-arrival Information

Welcome!

Thank you for choosing Blue Horizon Fishing, a Muy’Ono Company, for your upcoming fishing adventure. 

We look forward to fishing with you and welcoming you to our recently rebuilt Blue Horizon Lodge. Our lodge offers the best in local food, warm Belizean hospitality, and of course prime fishing. We hope you will find this document useful as you plan your trip to beautiful Belize.

We are available to answer any further questions via email at info@bluehorizonbelize.com or by calling us at 1-800-313-1672. 

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PRE-TRIP INFORMATION & RECOMMENDATIONS 

TRAVEL:  DO NOT FORGET YOUR PASSPORT. A valid passport is required to enter Belize.  We recommend that you carry a change of clothing and your necessary personal items such as medications in your carry-on bag. Although we have not had a substantial problem with lost luggage, being prepared will help prevent the major inconvenience of lost luggage. 

CURRENCY:  U.S. currency is easily exchanged in Belize at a rate of $2 BLZ for $1 US, and you do not need to exchange money before leaving home. Large US bills ($50's and $100's) can be difficult to break, and we suggest that you bring smaller bills. We also recommend clean, crisp, or new bills for hassle free use during your travels in Belize. Other currencies should be exchanged for Belizean dollars or US dollars prior to traveling to Belize. Blue Horizon Fishing accepts most major credit cards. Most major Credit Cards are accepted throughout Belize. Blue Horizon guides and staff accept U.S. currency.

GETTING TO BLUE HORIZON LODGE: Belize City International Airport is just a short non-stop flight away from many North American cities: Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Denver, Chicago, Newark, and LA. You can also find daily flights from Belize to other countries in Central America, such as Guatemala and Mexico.

ARRIVAL: We ask that you book an international flight that arrives no later than 3:00 pm into Belize City. Upon arrival at the international airport, you will clear immigration, pick up any checked luggage, clear customs and exit the arrivals area. You will then go to the domestic ticketing area (accessed through two sets of doors, upon exiting the arrivals area). In case you need assistance with your luggage, airport porters are available (they do expect a tip for their services). You will then enter the domestic area in the airport, check in for your flight to Placencia at the Tropic Air or Maya Island Air counter, and receive your boarding pass and instructions for catching your flight. We suggest you ‘check’ as much baggage as you can, as there is limited room in the airplane seating area for carry on items. The next step is to go through thel airport security checkpoint and enter the departure gates. If time allows, we highly suggest you visit Jet’s Bar… if you ask anyone, they will be able to point the way. 

The flight to Placencia will most likely make a short stop in Dangriga before continuing to Placencia. The total flight time will be about 30 minutes from Belize City to Placencia.

Once you arrive in Placencia, you will be greeted by a Muy’Ono representative, who will help you gather your luggage and then transfer you to The Placencia Resort, where our boat and captain will be waiting. Depending on the schedule of other arrivals, you may be required to wait for a short period of time while other guests arrive. During your wait, you will have access to the resort’s bar and restaurant, as well as the pool. Once, all of the guests have arrived at The Placencia Resort, you will be transferred to our island lodge. 

NOTE: The representative who greets you at the airstrip in Placencia will ensure that your luggage is delivered to the boat. You can simply enjoy your time at The Placencia Resort.

Our island lodge is a quick 20-minute boat ride from The Placencia Resort. The boat ride is included with the purchase of the all-inclusive package. We utilized a fleet of boats for these transfers. We suggest you keep your rain gear handy in case the weather requires it. Your luggage will be stowed in a covered storage area and/or covered with waterproof tarps. 

NOTE: The last flight to leave Belize City departs at 4:45 pm daily. If your intentional flight is delayed and you miss the last flight to Placencia, you will need to stay in Belize City. The first flight from Belize City to Placencia is at 7:45 A.M. The cost of meals and lodging, and/or the services in Belize City is not covered in your Blue Horizon Fishing package. We are happy to assist with making arrangements if need.

NOTE: It is not uncommon to be moved to an earlier commuter flight on Tropic Air or Maya Island Air. If you are moved to an earlier flight, PLEASE contact us ASAP so we can arrange to have our teammate at the airstrip in Placencia when you arrive. Please contact our Operations Manager: Marcy Usher by calling 011-501-670-4567. You can also email reservations@bluehorizonbelize.com or email info@bluehorizonbelize.com. 

DEPARTURE: On departure day, breakfast is adjusted slightly later in the morning, and we ask that your bags are packed and ready to travel before you arrive for breakfast. The boat transfer to the mainland departs our island lodge at either 6:45 am or 8:30 am, depending on the flight schedules of the departing group. On your departure day we can recommend you book an international flight scheduled to depart at 12 p.m. or later.

NOTE: We can accommodate earlier departures, but additional charges may apply for private or special transfers. 

WHAT TO EXPECT

LOCATION: In Belize, a “caye” (pronounced key) is an island. There are different spellings, most commonly Caye or Cay. Blue Horizon Lodge is located on North East Caye. The original island our head guide, Lincoln Westby, settled and developed over 20 years ago. He chose the island because of its proximity to the best permit, tarpon, and bonefish flats. Our lodge is the most central location for accessing the prime flats of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve.

You can look up our island using these coordinates: Latitude: 16°41’17.57"N  Longitude: 88°11’13.58”W 

MAIN LODGE: To keep with the heritage and history of the island and Lincoln’s legacy, we converted one of the original guest rooms into our main lodge and dining area. The footprint was doubled, the walls on two sides opened up and a wrap around deck were added to create the open air lodge with striking views of the home flat (yes, you will be able to fish to tailing permit in front of the lodge). The unique design allows the lodge to be fully open to the ocean, have a portion open to the outside, or we can completely close off the lodge to protect it from the weather. Our lodge will invite you in to enjoy the comfortable lounge and of course the community dining table.

GUEST ROOMS: Our sea-side rooms have views that extend past the edge of our home reef, have been designed to utilize as much of the original guest cabins as possible, and much of the accents of the decorate have been repurposed from Lincoln’s original Blue Horizon Lodge. All of the guest rooms are air-conditioned and furnished with two full size beds. A spacious private bathroom complete with hot water showers created from recycled materials.Rooms 1 and 2 are nearly 100% from the original lodge, and the 3 room unit housing rooms 3, 4, and 5 share the original footprint of Lincoln’s lodge. Front porch decks give anglers the perfect place to take in the sunrise, read a book, or relax with friends and tell tales of the day’s fishing success.

FOOD & BEVERAGE: All of our packages are all-inclusive, they include three meals per day, snacks and local alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Your typical daily menu consists of traditional Belizean cuisine with a modern touch. Breakfast is served buffet style and is ready early. Our location allows us the unique ability to maximize the best fishing tides, and you will either have lunch back at the lodge or take lunch on the boat with you. A three course meal always concludes your day at Blue Horizon Lodge.

NOTE: We will cater to special dietary needs, just let us know when you book your trip what you require.

BREAKFAST: Self-serve coffee is available by 5 am each morning, with the breakfast buffet open shortly after. Breakfast consists of coffee or tea, fruit juice, fresh tropical fruits, pastry, muffin, sweet, and a savory option of quiche, stuff jacks, or other to go breakfast items. Depending on the best times for fishing your guides will be ready to depart as early as 6 AM.  

LUNCH: Lunch is served on the island when low tides occur mid day. During a mid day high tide, you’ll take lunch to go and enjoy it on the boat.

APPETIZERS: Appetizers are served daily at 6 PM.

NOTE: Our self serve bar and drink cooler is open at all times of the day. Our bar is well stocked with local rum and mixers. If you want to enjoy other libations, please bring those to the island. The duty free store in the Belize airport is a great location to purchase those items.

DINNER: Dinner is a three course meal served at 6:45 P.M and will include a seafood/meat entree, complete with veggies and starch, and is followed with made on the island dessert.

DRESS: Dress at the lodge is casual and there is no need for formal clothing. 

POWER: Our lodge and guest rooms are powered by a high efficiency diesel generator. From time to time, you should expect the power to be shut off to run daily maintenance on the generator (we typically perform these tasks while you are out fishing) Normal US standard power plugs will work in the outlets in the rooms and lodge.

WATER: Drinking water is supplied in each guest room and in the main lodge, in five gallon jugs of purified water. Drinking water is supplied on the boats in large reusable coolers. Upon check in, you will be given a water bottle for drinking water. Please help us reduce the use of plastic by using that water bottle. 

NOTE: We utilize a state of art water maker for all non drinking water uses. While this water is 99% safe to drink, or brush your teeth with, we do still provide the 100% purified water as a convenience to our customers. 

INTERNET ACCESS: Our island has wireless internet access covering the majority of the property. Your room and the main lodge  are 100% covered. Cellular service is limited, but available to most US carriers. 

NOTE: We have installed a next generation internet system that allows for accessing the internet at fiberoptic speeds. WiFi calling, emails, internet browsing, text messaging, social media, and even high speed streaming of live TV and movies is not just possible, but standard. We expect you to be pleasantly surprised by the speed and consistency you’ll be able to access the internet.

GRATUITIES: Tipping is at your discretion and should relate directly to the level of service you receive.  As we are often asked about customary tipping, so we offer the following suggestions.  Tips should be paid in cash, and we suggest that all tipping be done at the end of your visit. Suggestions below are in US dollars. 

Fishing Guides - All gratuities to the guides should be given directly to the guide. We recommend tipping your fishing guide $100.00-120.00 USD per day ($50-60 per angler per day for 2 anglers in the boat). If you are part of a multi-boat group, we suggest tipping at the end of each day. If you are scheduled to fish with the same guide each day of your stay, please feel free to tip anytime during your stay. One important note: the guides often depart for home shortly after completion of the fishing day on the final day of your trip. Please make sure to tip your guide before he departs for home.

 Lodge Staff - Our lodge staff is integral to the enjoyment of your stay at Blue Horizon Lodge. Even if you don’t see them during your stay, they are there to ensure the lodge is operating at our maximum enjoyment for you. Recommend tipping the lodge staff $15-20 USD per guest per night of your stay (ex: 7 Nights / 6 Days of fishing = $105-140 per guest). Staff tips should be given to the lodge manager and they will distribute the tips equally to the staff. 

PACKING LIST: Belize is a tropical country where the average temperature is 84ºF. Dress is informal at the island resort, so bring light, comfortable clothing. You may wish to consider packing the following:

•       Lightweight rain gear for tropical showers

•       Light jacket or sweater for cool mornings/evenings

•       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)

•       Wide-brimmed hat for protection from the sun

•       Personal medications

•       Small waterproof bag for carrying extra gear

•       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 make the Zipit Style or Flats Sneakers that work very well. Normal wading boots can be very clunky and heavy to pack,

•       Fisherman’s pliers, clipper, and line cleaner

•       Optional: binoculars and snorkeling gear

FISHING OVERVIEW: The South Water Caye Marine Reserve, locally known as Permit Alley, is home to prime pancake flats and many schools of permit, bonefish, and cruising tarpon. The nearby Meso-American Reef is home to many permit and tarpon, as well as jacks, snapper, barracudas, and some other species. Tarpon are present year round and found on nearby cayes, channels, and in the large Placencia lagoon, which is also home to healthy populations of snook. From late April through the month of August, anglers can cast their flies at the larger migratory tarpon. These fish can reach 150+ pounds.

Besides the vast experience of our talented guide staff, the next best reason to come fishing at Blue Horizon Lodge is the proximity to the most productive permit flats in Belize. It is very common to travel less than 10 minutes from the lodge and be casting to tailing permit. Occasionally, our guides will make longer runs, but only if they are 100% confident they will find unpressured fishing. 

PERMIT: The vast majority of anglers come to Southern Belize to pursue permit. Permit are plentiful and are found on the pancake flats and the outer cayes surrounding Blue Horizon Lodge. You can expect plenty of shots at 5-20 pound permit on any given day. There are few places in the world you can expect to have more shots at permit. What makes Permit Alley so unique, is the number of tailing permit you will encounter in a given week. A tailing permit is a feeding permit. And you should expect to have 80% or more of the permit you see to be tailing.

BONEFISH: While the area is most well known for the permit, there are impressive numbers of bonefish. The most common place to see bonefish is on the flats near the cayes or on select reef flats. On an average day on the flats, any time of year, you will see and fish to schools of bonefish in the 2-5 pound range. These fish tend to be in large schools; however, there are singles and doubles if you are interested in more challenging casting. Our guides can consistently find schools of bonefish, even during low tides and weather conditions that limit the encounters with permit. 

TARPON: Tarpon are present in the fishery throughout the year, in select channels and protected island lagoons. The tarpon migration is generally from late April through August in Belize, and the channels and cayes in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve get robust amounts of migration. There is considerably less pressure in these waters then in the more famous reaches of Northern Belize. The tarpon in this fishery tend to be ‘eaters’ not ‘lookers’. 

OTHER GAME FISH: Barracuda, jacks, snapper, sharks, jacks and trigger fish are all available and add to the angling experience. We recommend that you come prepared to at least try for some of these other species during your stay.

GUIDES: All of our guides are English-speaking Belizeans with extensive knowledge of all of the water they fish. Several have been guiding on the flats for more than three decades. They are accomplished boatmen and fly casters, who fish on their days off. They will gladly help you with the technical aspects of saltwater fly fishing if you desire assistance. Two anglers generally fish with each guide, although private boat/guide packages are available.

FISHING: During your fishing days you should expect to be on the boat for a minimum of 8-9 hours per day. Our guides will commonly put in long days, especially if the permit are showing themselves. If you want to return to the lodge earlier, that option is always available. Just let you guides know when you’ve reached the maximum fishing time for the day.

Our fishery is perfectly suited for fishing from the boat or from foot. Some of our guides prefer to fish from the boat, others from foot… the argument can made of the advantages to both styles. Please bring wading boots appropriate for wading hard corral flats.

NOTE: Rental gear is available at our lodge. Wading boots, rods and reels can be rented during your stay at Blue Horizon Lodge. Rental prices:

• Rod/Reel Combos: $25USD/day or $100USD/week

• Wading Boots: $15USD/day or $75USD/week

FISHING LICENSES: Sport fishing licenses are required in Belize for all game fish. Bonefish, permit and tarpon are the only catch-and-releas. If you are between 16 - 65 years of age a license is required. The Sport Fishing license is available for one (1) day at $20 BZ or (1) week for $50 BZ. Purchase of a Sport Fish license is available online at www.coastalzonebelize.org.

TACKLE: It is important to come prepared if you wish to bring your own gear, here is our recommended gear list.

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 -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 or sink tip (350-500 grains sink tip).

    •       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: Flies are available for purchase in our pro-shop (along with other critical fishing tackle). You may choose to tie or bring a selection of flies. We recommend 2-6 of each pattern below.

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:

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

EP - Peanut style flies - various colors

All tarpon flies in sizes 3/0 to 4/0

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PAYMENTS: Deposit payment is required to confirm all bookings, and made within 10 days of making your reservation. Deposits can be made via credit card, check or wire transfer. Processing fees may apply for credit cards and/or wire transfers. Full payment is due 90 days prior to the scheduled trip. You can easily call us with a credit card if you prefer to give information over the phone. 1-800-313-1672. We prefer you utilize the secure payment portal linked from the email you received that confirmed your reservation.

Credit cards are accepted for on island purchases or gratuities to the lodge staff. We accept most major credit cards. A processing fee of 3% will apply to all on island credit card payments.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

•           All cancellations must be received in writing.

•           Prior to 90 days 100% of deposit may be transferred to another date/angler or refunded minus
the cancellation fee

•           Between 45 - 90 days 50% of package may be transferred to another date or angler or
refunded minus the cancellation fee

•           Less than 45 days may not be transferred or refunded

•           All cancellations will be charged a 5% cancellation fee

•           The unused portion of these packages by guest’s choice are not refundable.

•           Trips cancelled or shortened as a result of inclement weather and/or acts of nature including
hurricanes or due to airline delays, strikes or political unrest are not refundable. We strongly encourage all guests to purchase travel insurance. 

It is the Tour Operator’s / Agent’s responsibility to ensure that their clients are informed of the above mentioned cancellation conditions and that they are covered by a travel insurance policy to offset unforeseen cancellation charges.

Conditions are subject to change without notice.

Trip insurance is highly recommended 

CONTACT: For any questions or further details regarding fishing, please feel free to contact our Fishing reservationist at info@bluehorizonbelize.com

EMERGENCY CONTACT: Marcy Usher - Operations Manager @ 670-4567. From a US phone, be sure to dial 011-501 before the 7 digits listed. 

TRAVEL / TRIP INSURANCE: We work with Global Rescue as our travel insurance partner. They are recognized as the best in the industry and offer multiple products from their signature Emergency Evacuation policies to Trip Cancellation and more. Please utilize this link for purchasing travel insurance: https://globalrescue.com/bluehorizonflyfishingbelize/