Julian Cabral and Permit
off Whipray Caye

Southern Belize is the area of the country for first-rate fly fishing for permit, with an average size fish of 10 pounds.  Thirty pounds is a trophy fish (the permit to the left is approximately 20 pounds.)

Permit are caught primarily on the flats off the southern Belize coast, and in mangrove lagoons such as at Punta Ycacos.

(The area south of Dangriga to Gladden Caye is sometimes called the Belize permit alley.) 
 

Also plentiful are bonefish, snook at Monkey River, Gales Point and in the Placencia Lagoon, tarpon off mangrove cayes, and snook, snapper, juvenile tarpon and machaka (a local species) in the Placencia Lagoon, Punta Ycacos Lagoon, and the lagoons off Gales Point.

Barry and a Bone

AND the abundance of permit, bonefish and tarpon in our waters gives you the chance to achieve the granddaddy of all fly fishing experiences - the GRAND SLAM!!!
 

But, they work HARD, they know how to handle a boat, they know where the fish are, and they know how to catch them (which isn't always the same way that you may have learned in Florida, or Andros or the Christmas Islands).  If you listen to them, and follow their directions, you're more than likely to catch that elusive bone, permit or tarpon, if any are to be caught that day.

(Of course, it helps if you can spend some time perfecting your casting before you land in Placencia - try for a cast of at least 40 feet with reasonable accuracy.  And please, don't expect a permit if you've never done any saltwater fly fishing before - or only once or twice.  It also helps if you let us know something about your saltwater fly fishing or light tackle experience when you schedule your trip - that way we can try to pair you with the best guide for your experience level.)

Finally, catch and release only, and no live bait - at least not for bones, permit, tarpon and snook (at most, please take only 1 snook for eating and leave the rest for another day)! 

Belize's sport fishery is still in pretty good shape, so please help us keep it that way for everybody's kids and grandkids.

For assistance in planning your Belize fly fishing vacation, check our pages on Southern Belize Gear and Tackle Recommendations Southern Belize Fishing Locations, Species, Southern Belize Fishing Calendar, Recommended Belize Hotels, Resorts and Lodges and Winter and Summer Specials..

Email us for more information!