By: www.DiscoveringBELIZE.com

The variety and quantity of fish in Belize is a result of the diversity of aquatic habitats that support them.  The barrier reef is the most important, providing shelter and food for a huge variety of crustaceans and reef fish which in turn attract larger predatory fish.  The reef also breaks the strong ocean currents producing calm sheltered waters for fish.  The country’s second virtue is freshwater rivers and their brackish estuaries which are often used by fish to spawn before moving out into the sea.  These nutrient-rich rivers also dump a wealth of bio-mass into the sea which forms the base of the food-chain that supports larger game fish.  The sub-tropical climate maintains water temperatures around 80 degrees Fahrenheit which is just right for literally hundreds of fish species as well.  This rich mixture of sandy beaches, barrier islands, intercoastal waterways, seagrass beds, mangrove-studded bays, salt marshes and estuaries is what makes fishing in Belize so diverse.  It is important to bear in mind that there are many variables that affect fish movement and their propensity to feed such as tides, moon phases, water temperature and wind.  With so many variables there is no precise equation for guaranteeing catches.  However, local fishing guides have a wealth of knowledge which together with skill, persistence and some luck should insure a memorable fishing experience in Belize. 

The Flats: Mangrove-lined bays, creeks, channels and lagoons form vast saltwater flats, popular with fly-fishermen.  A day usually involves wading or fishing from the casting deck of your skiff.  Bonefish are the most plentiful game fish on the flats, ranging around 5 lbs with plenty of fight.  Tarpon range from 60-90 lbs but can approach 200 lbs.  Their migration is from April to October with the peak months being June, July and August.  Also called saltwater torpedoes, they are known for jumping out of the water when hooked.  Permit has become a popular game fish because it requires a lot of skill to hook on a fly-rod.  You can set your sights for the Grand Slam of fly-fishing, catching a tarpon, bonefish and permit in one day. 

Reef & Offshore: The barrier reef offers the greatest opportunities for catches, because it harbors so many types of fish.  Trolling along the reef with both surface and deep running plugs can yield barracudas, jacks, groupers and snappers.  Drop fishing on “fishing holes” will often produce a lot of small snappers.  Moving outside the barrier reef into deeper waters can yield kingfish, wahoo, tuna, sailfish and marlin.  Most offshore fishing takes place during tournament time in February, June and October.  However, offshore fishing can be arranged year-round.  Barracuda, snapper and marlin are good all year, while sail fish is best in the spring and wahoo in the winter.  King Mackerel is best in April, May and June.  

The Rivers:Many rivers meet the sea along the coast, cutting deep into the jungle.  Fishing along these rivers involves either spin or fly fishing.  Cuberas are best caught when the water is cool with deep running plugs as they tend to find cover in the deep holes along the middle of the river.  They are also called river rhinos as these hard-fighting fish are known for pulling hooks.  Snook are plentiful and are best caught along the mangrove edges at outgoing tide when the water is a little muddy.  Tarpon are good during the spring when they enter the river to spawn.  You can set your sights for the Jungle Slam of river fishing, catching a tarpon, cubera and snook in one day.

Fishing Destinations

Essentially you can drop a line at the end of a dock anywhere in Belize and catch something.  However, if you want to go after specific game fish then you must consider the types of fisheries around various destinations.  Below is a brief description of the fishing in these different destinations that should help you in choosing where to go.     

Ambergris Caye: The barrier reef is visible from the shore of the island and offers good reef fishing for barracuda, snapper and groupers.  Offshore fishing will take you well outside the barrier reef for the best chances at big deep sea game fish.  There are many saltwater flats around the island especially on the western lagoon side of the island.  These flats are known for good tarpon fishing where you can site cast for them during most of the year.  They are quite forgiving fisheries good for novice to experienced anglers.  

Caye Caulker: Caye Caulker is just south of Ambergris Caye so it shares many of the same fisheries.  The reef fishing is good for barracuda, snapper and groupers.  The offshore fishing is also good, but is not offered as much by local guides.  There are many saltwater flats on the western lagoon side of the island, however Ambergris Caye probably has more flats.  The flats are known for good tarpon fishing as well.  You generally get better rates for boats and guides here than in Ambergris Caye. 

Atolls: Of the 3 atolls, Turneffe Islands Atoll and Glover’s Reef Atoll are the best for fishing.  Turneffe has many mangrove islands and vast saltwater flats in its central lagoon.  This makes it a popular destination for saltwater fly-fishing.  These flats are particularly abundant in game fish.  Glover’s Atoll is a marine reserve so it has very good fishing.  Trolling or spinning along the reef or offshore waters may yield tuna, mackerel, barracuda, jack, grouper and snapper.  Some area coral flats also offer opportunities at bonefish and permit.

Belize City: Belize has a good variety of fisheries to choose from.  Probably the best known are the rivers, especially the Belize and Sibun Rivers.  They are plentiful in snook and other river game fish like cubera and seasonal tarpon.  Just off the coast are many small mangrove islands that can yield good catches by casting along the mangrove edges.  The barrier reef is just 30 minutes offshore and offers good reef fishing for barracuda, snapper and grouper.  Moving past the reef into offshore waters offers good deep-sea fishing. 

Punta Gorda: Punta Gorda offers a wide variety of fisheries to choose from.  The coastal rivers are good for snook and seasonal tarpon.  The patch reefs around the coastal islands are good for barracuda, jack and snapper.  The saltwater flats are good for bonefish.  However, these flats are particularly known for offering some of the best chances to catch permit on a fly-rod, giving it its reputation as “the permit capital of the world”.  These fisheries are not very forgiving and are best appreciated by experienced anglers.

Placencia: Placencia offers a wide variety of fisheries to choose from.  Saltwater flats can be found around the extensive mangrove and coral islands off the coast with a lot of bonefish and occasional permits.  The mangrove islands are good for tarpon.  The patch reefs around the coral islands and barrier reef are good for barracuda, snapper and jacks.  The offshore waters can yield grouper, wahoo, tuna, marlin and sailfish.  The Placencia Lagoon has mangrove lined flats and creeks good for tarpon and snook.   

Dangriga: The coast of Dangriga has an extensive network of mangrove and coral islands that produce saltwater flats with plenty of bonefish, particularly around South Water Caye Marine Reserve.  The mangrove islands are good for tarpon.  The flats between Bluefield Range and Gladden Caye are known as permit alley for their good permit fishing.  The patch reefs around the coral islands as well as the barrier reef offer good reef fishing for barracuda, snapper and jacks as well.  The offshore waters can yield grouper, wahoo, tuna, marlin and sailfish.