Fly fishing for permit

Fishing Belize – A flats fishing dream, and more…

Fishing Belize is a great way to spend a few days in paradise. The country offers plenty of opportunities for fly fishing, whether you’re looking for a relaxing day on the water or an adrenaline rush on the flats.

Fishing Belize – A flats fishing dream, but that’s not all this amazing destination offers.

Fishing in Belize has something to offer even the pickiest of anglers. You can stalk a Grand Slam on the saltwater flats with your fly rod, or hire one of our great Belize fishing charters and troll offshore for billfish and tuna. Belize has relatively undeveloped shorelines that are a dream for inshore and flats fishing—Tarpon, Bonefish, and Permit swarm the river mouths, creeks, bays, and estuaries. Do like to reef fish? Well, you can do that too. To top it all off, luxury vacation spots don’t get much better either.

The world-famous fishing in Belize has drawn anglers from the far reaches of the world.

The only bad thing about fishing Belize, is that once you get there, you won’t want to leave.

  • Great accommodations ranging from a 5-star Resort to unguided fishing within walking distance of the flats.
  • All four species of the grand slam are available (Tarpon, Snook, Permit, and Bonefish).
  • The saltwater flats of Belize are world renowned for offering the opportunity to sight cast to tarpon 12 months a year. The shallow water around the island offers the only classic tarpon flats outside South Florida.
  • Bonefishing is excellent year round and the water temperature doesn’t fluctuate like it does farther north such as the Florida Keys or Bahamas.
  • Belize offers excellent offshore and reef fishing for tuna, billfish, wahoo, king fish, barracuda, snapper, and grouper.
  • February to August is the best time of year.
  • Excellent corporate retreat destination.
  • Belize is a great place for a family vacation. Bring your wife and family, even if they don’t fish!
  • Any fishing experience level can be accommodated.

Best Time To Go Fishing in Belize

As with any fishing the weather will play a roll in your trip and the experience and fishing you will encounter is dependent upon this uncontrollable factor. For the most part inclement weather such as wind or rain storms move through and over the island quickly.

The months tend to blend together and anglers experience great fishing year round. Below is an idea of what to expect during any given month.

Belize Fishing Calendar
F = Fair, G = Good, E = Excellent

Belize Fishing Hotspots

Bonefish are the bread and butter of the flats surrounding Ambergris Caye.

#1) Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye is Known for offering world-class fly-fishing for tarpon, bonefish and permit. It’s a top choice for anglers, eco adventures, couples and families looking for the best of Belize. In addition to the fabulous flats fishing, you can also fish the second longest reef in the world for many different species!

Check out this Outdoors International and Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Resort on Ambergris Caye. Trust us, it will not disappoint. They offer the highest level of service and the best guides on the island.

Are you more of a DIY angler?

if so there are some affordable DIY fishing trips from Ambergris Caye as well. We can accommodate you with golf cart, kayaks, and paddle boards to explore what Ambergris Caye has to offer. You will enjoy the rich island culture, authentic restaurants, and challenge of stalking the flats by foot. All you have to do is ask.

We loved the resort on Ambergris Caye! Thank you so much for recommending it. I want to go back again this year with my wife. We’re hoping to get into some Tarpon! 

– Nathan Hadfield

Fishing from a Saltwater Flats boat

#2) Belize City

Belize City offers some incredible charter fishing for sailfish, Mahi Mahi, White and Blue marlin, wahoo and Kingfish. If you’re a fly fisherman, it’s only a short boat ride away from some incredible flats fishing. You can find monster tarpon, lots of snook, sizeable bonefish and a solid population of permit. Belize City is also close to the Barrier Reef where you can target snapper, groupers, jacks, mackerel and more.

Besides exploring the incredibly marine ecosystem of the Barrier Reef, Belize City is also home to the Belize Zoo; Museum of Belize; St. John’s Cathedral; Carnival festival; The Government House; Tours to Altun Ha; Old Belize; the Old Belize River; and Baron Bliss Lighthouse.

Dane with a huge dorado

#3) Placencia

Placencia is known for it’s great Inshore, Nearshore and Reef Fishing. If you’re in Belize fishing the Placencia area, you’ll be targeting barracuda, Jack Crevalle, Mahi Mahi, snook, Kingfish, Amberjack, wahoo and Blue marlin.

Lacey Savage with a big barracuda

#4) Belize Barrier Reef

This beautiful, thriving ecosystem is one of the most diverse examples of living coral in the world, and is even on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The reef is the perfect habitat for Black grouper, barracuda, snappers, and wahoo. In the deeper water, just beyond the offshore edge of the reef, the deep waters teem with marlin, mahi mahi, and tuna.

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There's a reason I keep booking this steelhead fishing trip!
Second time I’ve done this particular trip. The steelhead run was awesome! The food was even better than the first time, which is hard to imagine, and our guide is the best there is! If catching big fish is your thing I highly recommend booking through Outdoors International.
Ernie Sorenson
Mark Stasz with a great dorado.
We had an incredible time fishing in Mexico. We've already booked our next trip and can't wait to go back!
Mark Stasz
Greg Pope with a Strobel Lake rainbow trout.

I expected big trout on this trip based on all the stories I've read over the years, and I was not disappointed! I broke my own personal best rainbow trout record at least SIX times on this trip, with the biggest being a 16 pound beauty.

I will be going again soon!

Greg Pope
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