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Permit · Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 1:46 pm Post subject: Belize

Have a question......Has anyone ever been to Ambergris Caye, Belize and done any fishing? I'm going there in July and have everything booked but the fishing. If anyone has been I would appreciate any advice they have about the place and which guides they went fishing with etc....
Later,
Robert
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putawaywet · Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 7:59 am Post subject:

Did not fish there but stopped in Placencia and San Pedro on a sail from Guatemala to Florida.
Asked around while we were there and all the reports were that the flats fishing was astounding and deep water fishing was good as well.
If you dive I would recommend some time set aside for that as well. The water in unbelievably clear.
Beautiful area.

the troutman · Flour Bluffian in training Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 316

Just got back from Ambergris Caye, was there over spring break (March 9-17). The goal was relaxation and Tarpon fishing. The winds blew 30+ everyday so our fishing was a bit slow. However, July is prime for big Tarpon as the winds lay and the peak of the migration is under way. Your prime Tarpon grounds will be on the backside (west) of the island at a place called Savanah Flats and then about an hour south around Long Caye. There is also some good fishing further west off the mainland of Belize which is about an hour boat run. Expect to spend some time running as the majority of the better fishing is at least an hour from Ambergris. As far as guides, mine was terrible. Don't go with Sport Fishing Central, the main guide is named Mario. There are far better guides that have fished the area for years. Be advised, it is a third world country and the guides are different than American guides. Everything over there works on Belizean time which is a whole lot more laid back than here. Patience is a virtue! It is an awesome place and a wonderful experience. I will definitely be back, only this time in mid-summer so the winds won't destroy the fishing. During the time you are going, 4-5 hook-ups a day are pretty common on 80-100 pound fish. There are also some nice Bone fish flats and Permit flats west and south of the island as well some places up north. Do your homework on the guides, if I were there strictly for fishing I would have researched it further. It was a combo romantic get away and fishing excursion for us. Good luck and let me know what esle I can answer for you.
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Later,

The Troutman

Love em and leave em, otherwise known as Catch and Release!

Permit · Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 8:25 am Post subject:

Troutman,
Thanks a million for the info. Well I am staying at Tranquility Bay Resort, and the folks there told me that they will provide the guides. Its not a fishing lodge so I'm kinda weary. But I will definitely take your advice on the guides being on there time, that is cool with me. I'm going down there to fish mainly and hope to land permit, tarpon, and try the bonefish on the fly. Did you fish with conventional tackle or did you go on the fly? How is San Pedro, and the people there? Was everything pretty safe? I would appreciate any more info you have. Thanks again for gettin back to me, much appreciated.
Thanks for your info to putawaywet!
_________________
CONSERVATION IS KEY

the troutman · Flour Bluffian in training Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 316

San Pedro is great, like a mexican border town without all the vagrancy and begging. Food is good, best restaraunts we ate at were The Reef, Carambas and for breakfast Georges. All reasonable on price and good food. Understand one thing going in: This is not Cancun, it is still old world but that's what makes it really cool. On Sunday around 2:00, go to BC's Bar and Grill (straight east of the airport on the water) and listen to Dennis Wolfe. This guy is the Belizean Jimmy Buffet, great time and great afternoon BBQ. Belican beer is brewed right there and very good, around 2.00 us per beer. I think that's where my most of my cash went!! We never felt unsafe as everyone is courteous and will always greet you on the street, not overly friendly but curteous. The middle of town is the hub and the resorts are south and north of there. Not sure where your place is, we stayed south of twon and it was peace and quiet. Carribean Villas was our base. The fishing is cheap, I payed 250.00 per day for my wife and I. I fished in the Keys last spring break and it costs me 600.00 per day so it's a bargain. From what everyone told me, a guide would have to be blind not to get hook-ups on Tarpon in July as they are crusing and rolling everywhere so maybe you will be a little safer on the guide selection. I was there at a time where alot of skill, on the guides part, was necessary to get on fish. In our spare time we snorkeled and went cave tubing on the mainland, both a real good time. We used Seaduced tours, good guides but once again, if they tell you pick-up time is 7:00 a.m., don't get anxious if they are late. Clocks mean very little down there. It's laid back, great beer and rum drinks, good food, cuban cigars and unmatched views of the reef and sea. You will have a blast. If I can think of some of the other guides that were reccommended, I will forward.
_________________
Later,

The Troutman

Love em and leave em, otherwise known as Catch and Release!