Boats

Blue Horizon guides work from Panga style flats boats. The boats are ideal for both poling the flats and running over open water from spot to spot. All boats are fully outfitted for a comfortable and safe day on the water.

RODS/REELS/TERMINAL GEAR

All flies, terminal gear, leaders and tippet are available for rent. For beginners or folks who do not wish to travel with their equipment, we have a complete line of Orvis equipment for rent at our lodge: 8wt. 9wt. 10wt. 12wt. fly rods and reels with appropriate line and backing. If you have booked a Day Trip with us, rods, reels, flies, and tackle are included (only on day trips).

Rods

Bonefish: 7-8 weight. For calmer days on the flats, a 7 weight fly rod will serve you right with a little more finesse for a perfect cast. It is nice to also have the 8 weight for casting into the wind.

Permit: 8-10 weight. For the calm days on the water, an 8 weight is best for accurate casts. However, a 10 weight is the go-to for wind and the fight. A 10 weight is a perfect choice for permit.

Tarpon: 10-12 weight. A 10 weight is a great choice when chasing the smaller tarpon in the mangroves or along the flats. For larger tarpon, having a 12 weight is best to get a lengthy cast into the wind and tame them on the fight.

Reels

Matching the rod weight is essential. Large arbor reels allow you to retrieve more line with each reel. A sealed drag system does not allow harsh salt in and assures that when the moment comes, the drag will perform without complication.

Fly Line

It is as simple as matching the reel weight. It is essential to have a saltwater-specific fly line. Cold/freshwater fly lines are designed for colder waters and will soften up, hindering your casting abilities. Saltwater fly lines are designed for tropical, humid environments and are better suited for Southern Belize. NOTE: For tarpon, we recommend a sinking tip line, weighted to 350-550 grains, for most tarpon fishing situations. A full sinking intermediate line can also come in handy from time to time.

Leaders

Bonefish:  12 pound, 9 foot standard tapered leader.

Permit: 16-20 pound 9-10 foot standard tapered leader.

Tarpon: 30 pound, 9 foot leader with 12-18 inches of 60,80 pound shock tippet.

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. The highlighted flies are what our guides most often referred to as their “go to” flies, but ALL the flies on the list have and will catch fish.

Permit Flies

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

Camo Crab - Olive or tan size 2 - only place to purchase is SSFlies.com

Colby’s Casa Blanca crab - Tan size 6 or 4

Del Brown's Permit Fly (Merkin) - Tan  size #6 to 2

Alphexo crab - Olive or tan in size 8

Strong Arm Crab - White or tan in size 6 or 8

Avalon Fly - Tan in size 6 or 8

ContraBand Crab - Olive or tan is size 6

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

Christmas Island Specials - white, tan or pink #6 or # 8

Tarpon Flies

Black Death - size 1, 1/0

Tarpon Toad - purple/black, black/red, or chartreuse in size 2-3/0

Tarpon Bunny flies - purple/black, black/red, or chartreuse in size 2-3/0

Gummy minnow - size 2, 2/0

Apte-style tarpon flies in various color combinations. Dark colors; black, purple, red, blue, combos. Bright colors: chartreuse, yellow, white, combos

Deceiver patterns - various colors

EP - Peanut style flies - various colors

During the summer months, when the larger migratory tarpon are around, we increase the hook size to 2/0-4/0

Suggested Gear List

Remember, all flies, terminal gear, leaders and tippet are included.
Many of the items below are available to purchase through Blue Horizon. 

• Rod(s) to match the fish you will be pursuing during your time in Belize

• A matching reel and fly line

• Fly line cleaner/wipes

• Leader(s)

• Suggested flies

• Flats boots

• Long sleeved fishing shirt (light material for protection from the sun)

• Board shorts or lightweight pants

• Fishing hat

• Polarized sunglasses (2 pairs) and straps/croakies

• Sun gloves

• Buff style headwear to protect your neck

• Camera

• Sunscreen (aloe for post sunburn)

• Fishing License

A fishing license is necessary if you are between the ages of 16-65. You can purchase online prior to your scheduled fishing dates. Day prices are $20.00 BZD, a week is $50.00 BZD. The link for this is here.