A country that can boast 176 miles of unrivalled barrier reef, hundreds of square miles of classic fishing flats, and intricate webs of emerald green rivers attracts more than just your avid fisherman. Fish cannot get enough of the Belizean waters either, which makes this destination ideal for a sport called "catching"-a favorite among expert fly fishermen and your average fish enthusiast of any age or skill level. The species diversity matches the assortment of fishing grounds and makes each trip truly remarkable. The fish want you to come.

Fishing charters are available from all coastal destinations, from the Port of Honduras and Punta Icacos lagoon of Toledo to Rocky point on Ambergris Caye in the north. Most offshore boats launch during tournament time; however, the private angler does have the option to book a fully equipped boat any time of the year. Prices vary depending on the type of fishing, size of the boat, number of anglers aboard, time of year and port of exit/final destination.

The Belizean Barrier Reef sports a wide variety of prize catches. Tarpon, grouper, cobia, barracuda, bonefish, rainbow runners, and triggerfish frequent the waters of the barrier reef and its outer atolls. The deeper waters beyond the reef sport sailfish, marlin, wahoo, mackerel, bonito, pompano, blue fin, black fin, and albacore tuna. Experienced guides offer bait fishing in the deeper waters or trolling in the shallower reef protected seas.

The offshore atolls offer superb fishing due to their remote location and unique geological features. Waters plummet thousands of feet only 200-300 feet from the reef crest on all sides of the atolls making these areas oases in a desert of deep blue ocean. Fishermen can access Turneffe Islands Atoll, Lighthouse Atoll, and Glover´s Reef Atoll via charters or fishing packages from various fishing resorts and lodges on the mainland or on the offshore cayes.

Fly fishing is your game? Come play in these waters and bring your camera. Permit, bonefish, and tarpon are the marquee species anglers cross the globe to catch in the flats off the coasts of the cayes and mainland. Throughout the waterways of the country, anglers will find success. While the northern cayes and inlets have established themselves as the dominant fishing posts, the southern regions extending from Placencia to Punta Gorda are quickly gaining a reputation in international fly fishing circles.

Belize boasts of a strong resident population of tarpon, with the largest members residing in the north around Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Tarpon average fifty pounds in the winter, while in the summer they fill out to well over a hundred pounds.

Bonefish also have a year-round presence and are perhaps the most convenient fish to hunt. Step off the sandy shores of one of the cayes and you´ll find yourself in a prime flat with no movement other than the flick of the bonefish´s tail as he hunts for shrimp and the flick of your wrist as you fetch your prize. Ambergris Caye, Turneffe Islands Atoll, Glover´s Reef Atoll, Tobacco Caye and Placencia are considered the best bonefish battle grounds.

Prodigious permit populations have recently been discovered in the south of the country, where fly fishing is quickly gaining a reputation. Permit can be found near the reef drop-offs and anywhere in the flats.

Other saltwater game fish such as barracuda, jack crevalle, and snook also offer the fly fisherman additional challenges during his stay. The fish here put up a strong fight and revel in busting your line and raising your blood pressure, so be prepared for a showdown.

If fishing to the rhythm of the wails of howler monkeys and song of jungle birds interest you, Belize again offers excellent opportunities. Because of their convenient accessibility to the major ports, the Sibun and Belize Rivers and Black Creek are the most frequently explored waterways. The Deep, Macal, Monkey, Manatee, Temash, and Sarstoon Rivers in the west and south of the country also offer tremendous wildlife diversity in and out of the water. Tarpon, snook, cubera snapper, and the occasional jewfish roam the rivers year-round. While the formidable jewfish is the king of the lot ranging from thirty-five to 100 pounds, snook can sneak up to thirty pounds, cubera up to sixty pounds, and tarpon up to 100 pounds.

Belize enjoys warm, semi-tropical weather year-round-a reason both fish and angler rush to its waters. A few times each winter, Belize will experience a cold snap that will yield great fishing prior, but not during the weather event, which may last 2-3 days. The best (and most successful) time of the year to fish occurs May through July, when cold fronts have stopped passing through and the sun never seems to disappear. While most species can be found year-round, many have usual stomping grounds during at least part of the year. The following is an overview of the most frequently encountered species and their likely movements throughout the year:

Likely Catch	Peak Season	Overview	Locations
Tarpon	May-September (July-August best in waters around Ambergris Caye and Turneffe Islands Atoll)	Tarpon fishing is seasonal as tarpon are migratory; after spawning, the larvae move via tidal currents into the backwaters and estuaries where they remain until they reach approx. 20lbs and join their friends offshore. These juveniles make for excellent freshwater fly fishing in the back country year-round.	Inshore waters around mangroves and brackish estuaries, creeks, and channels; also found in atoll lagoons. Larger individuals usually found in the northern waters around Ambergris Caye. Prime areas around Placencia include Crowe's Nest Caye, Normal Caye, Moho Caye, and Tarpon Caye.
Snook	November-March	Can be found amongst mangroves; cannot survive water temperatures below 60 F so during cold fronts they general move into the shallower creeks and mangroves where warmer freshwater dominates.	Coastal marine and brackish waters (may also enter freshwater areas).
Bonefish	April-November	Come to flats to feed on shrimp in approx. a foot and a half of water. Larger individuals found in October.	Mangrove-lined lagoons and flats, river mouths, and interior waters of atolls; best action reported around Ambergris Caye, Turneffe Islands Atoll, Glover's Reef Atoll, Tobacco Caye, and Placencia.
Permit	February-November (March-May best)	Migration begins in February; catch and release only.	Flats close to reef and in lagoon and river channels and holes; larger individuals found in the south of the country (Placencia to Punta Gorda).
King Mackerel	April-June	Best caught via trolling and spin casting; travel in small schools.	Near surface in open water inside and outside the reef.
Sail Fish	January-June, particularly the week of the full moon in April and May	Heavily dependent on warm water; migration occurs due to slight temperature changes in water.	Found inside the reef but prefers deeper seas outside.
Grouper	December-April	Most grouper species spawn 3-5 days following full moons during this time.	Found in coral reefs and other hard-bottomed areas at depths of 30-300 feet.
Barracuda	All months	Eaten locally; contrary to popular notion, barracuda NOT a threat to divers.	Mangrove shores and open water.
Marlin	All months	Highly migratory; follow season and currents to remain in warm waters.	Outside reef in warm waters, near drop offs.
Wahoo	November-March	Travels singly; good sport and eating fish.	Found near surface in open water outside the reef to a depth of 650 feet
Cubera Snapper	All months	Ideal for night fishing.	Reefs and rocky bottoms in depths up to 130 feet.
Gray Snapper	All months	Feeds at night, ideal for night fishing.	Mangroves, sea grass beds, shallow rocky areas and coral reefs to depths of 60 feet.
Mutton Snapper	All months	Coveted fish for consumption -catch your dinner!	Mangrove shores, lagoons and rivers over sandy bottoms containing plants; also found over reefs.
Bonito	April-June	Suspected to support a 9 month season in the Gulf of Honduras.	Open waters beyond reef.
Jack Crevalle	February-November	Bounced back after 1995 commercial net ban; run in schools of a dozen to a hundred individuals. One of the strongest fighting fish in salt water.	Shallow flats near shore; also found in open waters and rivers.
Blackfin Tuna	All months	Schools reported from Glovers Reef to Utila.	Found near surface in open water outside the reef to a depth of 650 feet.
Yellowfin Tuna	January-June.	Migratory following warm water; hot location reported to be 15 miles southeast of Glover's Reef's south point.	Found near surface in open water outside the reef to a depth of 650 feet.

Although guides and lodges have equipment to rent, most anglers prefer to bring their own gear. A quick stop at the tackle shop is not possible, so bring extra of anything you may feel you cannot do without. Definitely be sure to prepare for tropical sunshine.

Most guides recommend that anglers take a course in basic saltwater fly fishing before they cast their first line. The Belizean waters require a heavier line and rod to compensate for varying wind conditions. Confer with your guides and fishing lodge to familiarize with tidal action, seasons, and the proper equipment before arrival.

Knowledgeable and experienced operators can be found throughout the country. All guides are professionally trained and licensed by the Belize Tourism Board. Each guide is familiar with the ecology of the area, the proper use and care of the equipment, and the handling of the diverse assortment of fish in the region. Moreover, professional guides exhibit uncanny patience and are prepared to troubleshoot minor problems that may arise to ensure a successful trip.

Anglers can hook up with an expert via their fishing lodge or resort or by hiring their own. While lodges and resorts only hire licensed professionals familiar with the area and catch, be sure to ask to see your guide´s license before the trip if hiring your own. For each full day of fishing, anglers customarily tip their guides 10-20 percent of the full charter fee.

Over the past thirty years, populations of game fish have declined. The prime culprits of this decline are habitat destruction, pollution, and over fishing. Guests can help combat this decline through conservative fishing practices, namely catch and release. Catch and release fish include bonefish, tarpon, and permit, while most guides also release snook. Sometimes a fish is kept for mealtime-for the guide or angler. If fishing for consumption, catch only what your party will eat. When releasing, handle the fish as little as possible so as not to irrevocably injure it. Finally, when wading through the flats, be careful not to step on new coral colonies that may be found in the shallows.

Much of Belize's marine system, from north to south, is federally protected, with many areas designated as World Heritage Sites or marine reserves. These areas and their inhabitants cannot be destroyed or harmed in any way and are protected by UN funding and regular monitoring. Check with your guide to see if the area you are fishing in has particular guidelines or restrictions that may apply to you.

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