Belize

I just wrapped up a 7 day trip to Belize. It was our first trip here and we really enjoyed it. Over the 7 days, I spent 3 days fishing. I’ve been fishing since I can remember and fly fishing for 20+ years but this was my first time doing any type of flats type fishing. It was a great experience and I can definitely see more of it in my future.

The night before my first day out, my guide Alex stopped by dinner to talk about logistics, get a sense for my experience level and ask if I had anything in particular I wanted to accomplish over the three days. We were in Punta Gorda so I think he assumed Permit would be my quarry of choice. I told him Permit would be great but in the end, I’ve caught none of the flats fish folks target so I was open to anything. I think that put him at ease a bit. The time of year and weather conditions were not ideal for permit and that combined with my experience level made it unlikely I’d have a ton of success catching targeting permit only. Ok, let’s target what’s available. Sounds good to me.

Day one we met at the marina and motored out to a big lagoon that holds permit, juvenile tarpon and some bonefish. Based on tides and weather conditions, Alex decided we’d target the tarpon first. We motored around to a number of likely spots but did not spot any fish. We also made some blind casts to likely holding water with no success so continued our search. Around mid morning, we spotted a small group of fish surface and the chase was on. The fish were moving around a bit so getting the boat in the right position to cast in the deep channel leading into the lagoon took a little time but eventually we did and started making casts. First a floater with a heavy fly. No bueno. The fly was not getting deep enough. Did you happen to bring an intermediate or sinking head line? Yep, both. We switched to the type 7 head and first cast were into a fish the promptly spit me. A couple casts later and I was able to land my first juvenile tarpon. Tons of fun on a fly rod.



Shortly thereafter, I got another quick bump then the fish disappeared so it was onto permit. First we searched the lagoon and never found any. Then we went out to the flats as the sun got higher in the sky and over the course of the afternoon we saw two nice fish, both of which I got legit shots at. Neither of which resulted in hookups. One fish just ignored my fly. The other moved towards it but spooked as it got hung up in a bit of turtle grass. Boo. On to day two.

Day 2 Alex decided we would fully concentrate on permit in the lagoons. It was intermittently cloudy with some rain showers moving through which I was told is not great for flats fishing for permit. It was a tough day though I think fairly normal for those who target permit regularly. We laid eyes on 6-7 permit through the day and had legit shots at 4 of them. No hookups though. Of the 4 shots, I had 2 refusals, one horrible cast that landed on the fishes head and spooked him and one solid (but long) cast but the fish turned last second and headed into the mangroves without seeing the fly. I also had a random shot at a larger bonefish and was rewarded with my first ever bonefish hookup but he promptly spit me leaving me skunked for the day. Bummer! As a side note, it’s crazy how deep they can maneuver those boats into the mangroves. Hard work for the folks doing the polling.



Day three Alex decided it was time to get me a tug or too and made the decision to take me out to the reef about 6 miles offshore to target bonefish. Fine by me! I can see the appeal of targeting permit and will definitely do more of it in the future but I had never caught a bonefish either. I was ready to knock that species off the list. As we approached the first spot, Alex quickly spotted a group of small bones and had me make a cast. Fish on…and off. The old trout set special. Not to worry, the bones were small, numerous and not easily spooked. Great for a newb like me . A couple more casts later and I had landed my first ever bonefish. Small but my first so we snapped a quick pic. I believe the buildings in back of me are an outpost for the Belize Coast Guard.



The rest of the day we had tons of shots at bones ranging in size from the one in the pic to double that. Overall, I landed 14 or 15 and lost a handful of others. We fished for them in sandy flats, over hard coral bottoms and even in deeper water in the channels when Alex saw signs of them mudding. We also had a shot at a couple of trigger fish who seems to have no interest in my offering. We did spend a little time looking for permit but never found any. I was a really fun day overall. A great fishery for a new flats fisherman like myself to get his feet wet.

So, over 3 days of fishing we targeted juvenile tarpon for 1/2 day and landed one, permit for 1 1/2 day, got 6 legit shots and landed none and bonefish for a day and landed a bunch. Overall, a great trip but more importantly a great learning experience. I learned a lot. Sometimes when I did things right but more often when I got comments like “nice but that cast won’t work on big bones when you get a chance to target them”.

I also just really enjoyed Belize overall. Great people, good food, fishing, wildlife, etc. I’ll definitely be headed back.

 

[Brute]

I was in Belize back in the early ‘90’s…diving. Stayed at St Georges caye…dove Turneffe before there were any fishing resorts on it, saw plenty of tarpon while diving…dove the Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef…on St Georges, our bungalow’s were above water on pilings, and remember all of the bonefish swimming leisurely below us at night…I think I would like to go back and fish it.

 

[Kfish]

Nice work! Thanks for the report, looks like packing the kitchen sink paid off

 

[jasmillo]

Nice work! Thanks for the report, looks like packing the kitchen sink paid off

You know my history with rods. 1 rod per day of fishing, just in case, was prudent planning.

Permit are just self important jacks. You would not have regretted making a switch to go after the real thing.

I have found that a lot of guides really want to concentrate on permit, even when it’s basically a waste of time to do so. I don’t really know why that is. Maybe they think that they will get a better tip if you get one? machismo about being the best permit guide? Not wanting to deal with people actually catching fish? Who knows?

I have had more great days on the flats targeting jacks and barracuda than I have chasing permit.

If I had asked, I am sure the guide would have been cool chasing them a bit. I think they just assume most guys are really permit focused in that area. He was telling me about some of the guys chasing down lifetime goal numbers with him and how obsessed they get. It would have been cool to chase barracuda as well. I’ll probably push more for species like that on future trips.

 

[Chucker]

You know my history with rods. 1 rod per day of fishing, just in case, was prudent planning.



If I had asked, I am sure the guide would have been cool chasing them a bit. I think they just assume most guys are really permit focused in that area. He was telling me about some of the guys chasing down lifetime goal numbers with him and how obsessed they get. It would have been cool to chase barracuda as well. I’ll probably push more for species like that on future trips.

I have met a few permit obsessives. Some of them take it to extremes. Once saw a guy fish a whole week without catching a fish because he wouldn’t cast at anything that wasn’t a permit. There weren’t any permit around. Nobody was seeing them. It was just sad.

 

[albula]

As someone who very much enjoyed guiding for permit and fishing for permit myself I am thankful for that angler who more cherishes the quest for a difficult quarry than the actual capture itself. After all, once you fool one, it is just reeling in another fish that pulls hard. The environs, the hunt and the execution are what separates it from just catching yet another bonefish. If you just have to catch one to check it off the list, permit fishing is not your cup of tea. Concentrate on something that is far easier and much less elusive and leave the few you find alone.

 

[albula]

Permit are just self important jacks.

Actually they are members of the pompano family. And their behavior and worth on the table would never cause them to be confused or compared with jacks. Fish for them for a few years and see if your evaluation doesn't change.

 

[albula]

I have met a few permit obsessives. Some of them take it to extremes. Once saw a guy fish a whole week without catching a fish because he wouldn’t cast at anything that wasn’t a permit. There weren’t any permit around. Nobody was seeing them. It was just sad.

I would guess he enjoyed himself every bit as much as anyone else and would do it again. Different strokes.

 

[The Fish Whisperer]

Great report…thanks for sharing your adventure with us. Reading the reports helps us to get through the PacNW winters..!

 

[SilverFly]

If I had asked, I am sure the guide would have been cool chasing them a bit. I think they just assume most guys are really permit focused in that area. He was telling me about some of the guys chasing down lifetime goal numbers with him and how obsessed they get. It would have been cool to chase barracuda as well. I’ll probably push more for species like that on future trips.

Permit are intentionally off my bucket list for good reason. I've seen a few outside casting range when chasing bones, but everything I've read and watched on them, leads me to believe I could develop an unhealthy permit habit. Maybe when time and finances allow they might go back on.

In the mean time, I'm with ya on jacks and cuda. Not sure why either species doesn't get more attention. My first flats trip was also to Belize, and I wanted to fish for everything. Cuda small and large were seemingly everywhere, and tough to pass up from the get-go. That became tougher after catching the plentiful 1-2# bones became almost routine. Finally gave in and starting throwing charlies at them, stripping mid-column. Managed to land a couple bone-sized cuda. Was suprised though, when a full-sized cuda ate, and instantly clipped off a charlie stripped just past it's nose.

As for jacks, they might be indiscriminate, but holy-shit do they fight hard. Nothing boring about that!

 

[jasmillo]

As someone who very much enjoyed guiding for permit and fishing for permit myself I am thankful for that angler who more cherishes the quest for a difficult quarry than the actual capture itself. After all, once you fool one, it is just reeling in another fish that pulls hard. The environs, the hunt and the execution are what separates it from just catching yet another bonefish. If you just have to catch one to check it off the list, permit fishing is not your cup of tea. Concentrate on something that is far easier and much less elusive and leave the few you find alone.

I learned more the second day getting skunked chasing permit exclusively than the other two days combined. Searching for fish gives you a lot of time to pick the brain of the guide. In my case, a guy who was in his mid forties and who had been guiding the area since he was 19. Super knowledgeable and seemed to enjoy sharing knowledge to a flats newb like me. After each shot, he broke down what we cold have done differently. Other approaches I could have taken, etc., a really cool experience. The hunt for them is different than any type of fishing I have done. The feeling you get when one is spotted after hours of searching and then trying to make the right cast knowing you’ll likely only get 1-2 shots at the fish is a thrill. I definitely get the appeal and can see myself doing it more in the future.

This trip, being so new catching any of those species was exciting for me. At some point, I could see myself getting more discriminate as to what I am targeting. I’ll need to get a few more flats trips under my belt to get there though.

 

[Chucker]

I would guess he enjoyed himself every bit as much as anyone else and would do it again. Different strokes.

Well, no. He spent the entire week complaining about how his guide couldn’t find him any permit and bad-mouthing the operators of the lodge to anyone who would listen. I have my doubts as to whether he tipped his guide at the end of the week. He made the entire experience of the trip worse for everyone who was there.

 

[Salmo_g]

I have met a few permit obsessives. Some of them take it to extremes. Once saw a guy fish a whole week without catching a fish because he wouldn’t cast at anything that wasn’t a permit. There weren’t any permit around. Nobody was seeing them. It was just sad.

When it comes to fishing, there's nothing negative about being obsessive. Some anglers appreciate pursuing fish that are difficult, either because they are less abundant than other species, or more selective and or wary than other species. The small bonefish are fun on a 5 wt rod, but due to the wind one often needs an 8 wt to cope with it. And after catching a bushel basket full of 1 and 2 pound bonefish, what is the satisfaction in catching one more? Chasing permit appeals to certain angler mindsets. They can be difficult to find - as the guy in your example illustrates - and difficult or impossible to persuade to eat your fly even after a perfect stalk and a perfect presentation. It's not for everyone and certainly not for those who can't handle some frustration.

This is not dissimilar to fishing all day with a dry fly when you might get an eat on a nymph on every cast. If I've already caught a bunch of trout on nymphs, it just might be more satisfying to fish all day trying to get a rise to the dry fly even if it means catching nothing. The pursuit can be just as satisfying as catching once you've done a bit of catching.

 

[Pink Nighty]

When it comes to fishing, there's nothing negative about being obsessive. Some anglers appreciate pursuing fish that are difficult, either because they are less abundant than other species, or more selective and or wary than other species. The small bonefish are fun on a 5 wt rod, but due to the wind one often needs an 8 wt to cope with it. And after catching a bushel basket full of 1 and 2 pound bonefish, what is the satisfaction in catching one more? Chasing permit appeals to certain angler mindsets. They can be difficult to find - as the guy in your example illustrates - and difficult or impossible to persuade to eat your fly even after a perfect stalk and a perfect presentation. It's not for everyone and certainly not for those who can't handle some frustration.

This is not dissimilar to fishing all day with a dry fly when you might get an eat on a nymph on every cast. If I've already caught a bunch of trout on nymphs, it just might be more satisfying to fish all day trying to get a rise to the dry fly even if it means catching nothing. The pursuit can be just as satisfying as catching once you've done a bit of catching.

I totally get this mindset. I go back and forth between wanting to catch lots of fish or wanting to get them in a specific way. For instance when the pinks were running I could catch as many as I wanted stripping a pink comet. Once I dialed that in though, I immediately stopped doing it to get them to eat on the swing. Probably cut my fish by 90%, but infinitely more satisfying.

Once I dialed that it went to swinging coho, nympying bulls, etc... it's always the next challenge that appeals

 

[Brute]

Well, no. He spent the entire week complaining about how his guide couldn’t find him any permit and bad-mouthing the operators of the lodge to anyone who would listen. I have my doubts as to whether he tipped his guide at the end of the week. He made the entire experience of the trip worse for everyone who was there.

Unfortunately I’ve been on trips where there was one guy like that in the small group…complaining that thirty years ago he would catch 50 trout a day in this area…I always tell my guides don’t worry about the numbers…I’d rather catch one trout I can get three shaka’s on it than fifteen 16” fish…and be happy about it

 

[jasmillo]

When it comes to fishing, there's nothing negative about being obsessive. Some anglers appreciate pursuing fish that are difficult, either because they are less abundant than other species, or more selective and or wary than other species. The small bonefish are fun on a 5 wt rod, but due to the wind one often needs an 8 wt to cope with it. And after catching a bushel basket full of 1 and 2 pound bonefish, what is the satisfaction in catching one more? Chasing permit appeals to certain angler mindsets. They can be difficult to find - as the guy in your example illustrates - and difficult or impossible to persuade to eat your fly even after a perfect stalk and a perfect presentation. It's not for everyone and certainly not for those who can't handle some frustration.

This is not dissimilar to fishing all day with a dry fly when you might get an eat on a nymph on every cast. If I've already caught a bunch of trout on nymphs, it just might be more satisfying to fish all day trying to get a rise to the dry fly even if it means catching nothing. The pursuit can be just as satisfying as catching once you've done a bit of catching.

To a degree, we are all a bit obsessive as fly fisherman. In many cases we choose to use a less efficient tool for the job when we pick up fly rod.

I personally do not care if folks have more of a love for catching, pursuing, or some combination of both. I’m a combination guy. I love catching fish but I’ll do anything to not nymph or throw a streamer when fishing for trout in rivers. I’ll have also never picked up a conventional rod for salmon off the beach even after watching herring guy after herring guy crush it in front of me on higher quality fish on an average. I enjoy the effort and knowledge needed to consistently catch salmon off our beaches with a fly rods. On the other hand, I am not at all picky about the species I’ll target with a fly rod. I love fishing and want to catch anything the eats a fly. Easy or hard, it doesn’t matter.

Too many fish, too little time. I am just glad semi feasible steelhead fishing is a multi hour drive for me. Stops me from getting completely obsessed with that living here. I need to be retired already…

 

[DimeBrite]

Atlantic Permit (Trachinotus falcatus)
Indo Pacific Permit (Trachinotus blochii)
Africanus Permit (Trachinotus africanus)
Trachinotus anak of northern Australia

Two of these can be fished for in the same location, Oman.

 

[jasmillo]

Atlantic Permit (Trachinotus falcatus)
Indo Pacific Permit (Trachinotus blochii)
Africanus Permit (Trachinotus africanus)
Trachinotus anak of northern Australia

Two of these can be fished for in the same location, Oman.

When are you setting up the first annual PNWFF Oman Invitational Permit Tournament?

Count me in…assuming I have the time off needed .

 

[DimeBrite]

When are you setting up the first annual PNWFF Oman Invitational Permit Tournament?

Count me in…assuming I have the time off needed .

I hear that Salalah is nice in April.

 

[mr.badexample]

Another possibility that I have repeatedly done when staying out @ Glovers reef is to go out with one or two guys that are fishing for the resort or wanting fish to sell and bringing my 10wt. We anchor up in a channel and chum and things get crazy with jacks of all kinds, kingfish,black fin tuna,big barracuda etc.Not a lot of finesse is required but a 15lb. tuna will impress.

 

[clarkman]

Permit are intentionally off my bucket list for good reason. I've seen a few outside casting range when chasing bones, but everything I've read and watched on them, leads me to believe I could develop an unhealthy permit habit. Maybe when time and finances allow they might go back on.

In the mean time, I'm with ya on jacks and cuda. Not sure why either species doesn't get more attention. My first flats trip was also to Belize, and I wanted to fish for everything. Cuda small and large were seemingly everywhere, and tough to pass up from the get-go. That became tougher after catching the plentiful 1-2# bones became almost routine. Finally gave in and starting throwing charlies at them, stripping mid-column. Managed to land a couple bone-sized cuda. Was suprised though, when a full-sized cuda ate, and instantly clipped off a charlie stripped just past it's nose.

As for jacks, they might be indiscriminate, but holy-shit do they fight hard. Nothing boring about that!

lol, same here! Then again, I just happen to be a sucker for watching fish smash one of my own streamers at break-neck speed.