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If you like fishing, a Belize fishing vacation is for you. The longest barrier reef in the Western hemisphere makes for some of the best Sport Fishing in the world. All types of Fishing Packages are available, Reef fishing, Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit, Fly fishing and Deep Sea Fishing.
The waters surrounding Ambergris Caye abound with a great variety of saltwater fish and most types of fish including Bonefish and Tarpon can be caught year-round. The coral reefs support Grouper, Snapper, Jacks and Barracuda while the deeper waters are home to Sailfish, Marlin, Wahoo and Tuna. The lagoons abound with Bonefish, Permit and Barracuda and the mouths of many rivers are well known for their Tarpon, Snook and Jacks.
There are few fish that command the respect of Fly Fisherman Worldwide ! Albula Vulpes - Bonefish - The Silver Fox or Grey Ghost has earned that right...The average Rainbow trout will run at speeds of up to 9 mph maximum ...The average Bonefish run can attain speeds of up to 30 mph , get a 7 pound Bonefish on light equipment and you will be humbled...
The most important lesson to learn is how to Spot the fish - if you see more fish you will catch more fish.
Bonefish can be spotted in three ways 1).Tailing Bonefish - the fish have their heads in the mud or weed grass rooting out shrimps and other delicacies 2).Mudding Bonefish - look for puffs of mud disturbed on the flats , almost like little clouds of smoke.3).Cuising Bonefish - sometimes they will leave a little piece of nervous water on the surface to indicate their presence , other times a bow wave will develop when they are on the move.
Bonefishing is all about presentation - present the fly ahead of the fish and slightly up current , this will allow you to move the fly into the strike zone and manipulate the fly properly (Remember to get the fishes attention with a fast retrieve and then slow down to imitate its natural prey) If the fish are tailing then present the fly right on top of them to get their attention...This works as long as you have a very gentle and accurate presentation...if they are spooked hold on because sometimes they will turn back and start feeding again in the same spot.
The Bonefish is one of the most valuable Game fish in the world today - Pound for Pound they are the hardest fighting and fastest running Game fish in the ocean, famous fisherman like Lefty Kreh still rate Bonefish as their favourite fish to pursue.
Ambergris Caye is blessed with an abundance of Bonefish Varying from 01 lb up to 10 lbs , the average Bonefish you will catch will be in the 3 - 4 lb Bracket , However there are plenty 6 to 7 lb Bonefish to be had almost anywhere in the region.
Ambergris Caye is unique with the a resident year round Tarpon population .Tarpon in Belize vary in size off the Cayes and Flats from 80 to 200 pounds plus, , with the smaller 10 - 60 pound Tarpon found in the Back channels Mangroves and Estuaries.
There are few things that can compare to the sight of a large , well hooked Tarpon, tail-walking and leaping out of the water! There are few words to describe this experience, life altering, would be a good start…
Tarpon from 10-60lbs are generally found in the Mangroves and Brackish Lagoons , these size fish are an absolute pleasure to stalk and catch and give a worthy account of themselves on Light Tackle.
The Big Tarpon can be found cruising the flats near Ambergris Caye, sometimes they can be seen cruising on the surface or rolling, this can be seen from hundreds of yards away and is a definite advantage when pursuing these fish.
The official record for Belize is just a ‘hair’ under 200 lbs and many other fish estimated at 250+ have been hooked and lost, Belize still has the opportunity for setting a new Tarpon World Record on Fly or Conventional Tackle.
The Permit is fast becoming one of the most sought after Saltwater fish on fly, these fish cruise the Flats year round and are extremely strong and fast swimmers. There is not a lot to compare to the sight of a large Permit cruising the flats, leaving a large bow wave and occasionally, its black fin breaking the surface! The speed and Stamina of these fish is incredible…Large Permit(20lbs+) generally are solitary or in groups of two to three, smaller Permit will sometimes school and are a blast to catch on Light Tackle.
Sometimes the best way to find a Permit is to look for a Ray feeding on the bottom, Permit will often follow a Ray and pick up food the Ray disturbs, as it feeds along the bottom.
Permit will sometimes be extremely arrogant and even a well placed fly will not even get a sniff, while at other times they will snap up almost anything.
Permit Fishing is still in its infancy , but it is attracting a growing following of Fisherman who enjoy the challenge that this superb fish offers. Belize has some of the worlds finest Permit fishing and without a doubt the next World Record Permit will be caught in Belize.
Snook, Barracuda, Jacks, Bonefish, Tarpon ,Permit, Black Snappers, Red Snappers, Barracudas, French grunts, Grouper, Cubera Snapper, Mutton Snapper, Sharks, Marlin, Sailfish, Spanish Mackerel, Dorado's, Bonito, Tuna, Wahoo, Ladyfish.
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