Fishing Belize

Bonefish

Tarpon

Tarpon patrol along the inner mangrove islands, rivers and lagoons. They can also be found in very isolated, rarely visited landlocked freshwater lakes.

Recommended Tackle:
Rods: 10-12 weight
Leaders: Shock tippets of 60 to 100 pounds, with 16- to 20-pound class tippet
Flies: Standard Keys-style flies, like the Cockroach and Apte-type patterns, and Tarpon Bunnies, sizes 2/0 to 4/0. Surf Candies, Clousers, Lefty's Deceivers and Whistlers can be effective as well. Try darker colored flies in low light and brighter colors during mid-day.

Permit

Permit, southern Belize's true world-class sport fish, can be found tailing on the coral flats, off mangrove islands, and in the extensive backcountry system known as Punta Ycacos Lagoon.

Recommended Tackle:
Rods: 8-10 weight
Leaders: 12- to 20-pound test, 9 to 12 feet in length
Flies: Merkin, Raghead and Turneffe-style patterns sizes 1/0 to 6 in tans, browns and greens.