FISHING

A country that can boast 176 miles of unrivalled barrier reef, hundreds of square miles of classic fishing flats, and intricate webs of emerald green rivers attracts more than just your avid fisherman. Fish cannot get enough of the Belizean waters either, which makes this destination ideal for a sport called "catching"-a favorite among expert fly fishermen and your average fish enthusiast of any age or skill level. The species diversity matches the assortment of fishing grounds and makes each trip truly remarkable. The fish want you to come.

Fishing charters are available from all coastal destinations, from the Port of Honduras and Punta Icacos lagoon of Toledo to Rocky point on Ambergris Caye in the north. Most offshore boats launch during tournament time; however, the private angler does have the option to book a fully equipped boat any time of the year. Prices vary depending on the type of fishing, size of the boat, number of anglers aboard, time of year and port of exit/final destination.

The Reef

The Belizean Barrier Reef sports a wide variety of prize catches. Tarpon, grouper, cobia, barracuda, bonefish, rainbow runners, and triggerfish frequent the waters of the barrier reef and its outer atolls. The deeper waters beyond the reef sport sailfish, marlin, wahoo, mackerel, bonito, pompano, blue fin, black fin, and albacore tuna. Experienced guides offer bait fishing in the deeper waters or trolling in the shallower reef protected seas.

The offshore atolls offer superb fishing due to their remote location and unique geological features. Waters plummet thousands of feet only 200-300 feet from the reef crest on all sides of the atolls making these areas oases in a desert of deep blue ocean. Fishermen can access Turneffe Islands Atoll, Lighthouse Atoll, and Glover´s Reef Atoll via charters or fishing packages from various fishing resorts and lodges on the mainland or on the offshore cayes.

The Flats

Fly fishing is your game? Come play in these waters and bring your camera. Permit, bonefish, and tarpon are the marquee species anglers cross the globe to catch in the flats off the coasts of the cayes and mainland. Throughout the waterways of the country, anglers will find success. While the northern cayes and inlets have established themselves as the dominant fishing posts, the southern regions extending from Placencia to Punta Gorda are quickly gaining a reputation in international fly fishing circles.

Belize boasts of a strong resident population of tarpon, with the largest members residing in the north around Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Tarpon average fifty pounds in the winter, while in the summer they fill out to well over a hundred pounds.

Bonefish also have a year-round presence and are perhaps the most convenient fish to hunt. Step off the sandy shores of one of the cayes and you´ll find yourself in a prime flat with no movement other than the flick of the bonefish´s tail as he hunts for shrimp and the flick of your wrist as you fetch your prize. Ambergris Caye, Turneffe Islands Atoll, Glover´s Reef Atoll, Tobacco Caye and Placencia are considered the best bonefish battle grounds.

Prodigious permit populations have recently been discovered in the south of the country, where fly fishing is quickly gaining a reputation. Permit can be found near the reef drop-offs and anywhere in the flats.

Other saltwater game fish such as barracuda, jack crevalle, and snook also offer the fly fisherman additional challenges during his stay. The fish here put up a strong fight and revel in busting your line and raising your blood pressure, so be prepared for a showdown. 

The Rivers

If fishing to the rhythm of the wails of howler monkeys and song of jungle birds interest you, Belize again offers excellent opportunities. Because of their convenient accessibility to the major ports, the Sibun and Belize Rivers and Black Creek are the most frequently explored waterways. The Deep, Macal, Monkey, Manatee, Temash, and Sarstoon Rivers in the west and south of the country also offer tremendous wildlife diversity in and out of the water. Tarpon, snook, cubera snapper, and the occasional jewfish roam the rivers year-round. While the formidable jewfish is the king of the lot ranging from thirty-five to 100 pounds, snook can sneak up to thirty pounds, cubera up to sixty pounds, and tarpon up to 100 pounds