Packing for Belize

Heading to Belize for Tarpon, Bonefish and Permit? Make sure to check out my comprehensive gear list for saltwater flats fishing.

For the more casual angler staying in a fishing lodge and undertaking fully guided morning trips, here are a few pointers to get you started.

Belize is an exciting destination to visit. There’s plenty to see beyond the expansive flats and the sandy Cayes. At the very least, pack your mask and snorkel. If time allows, fit in a tour to the world’s only Jaguar reserve at the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.

If you’re in San Pedro Town in the south of Ambergris Caye, up in northern Belize, drop into the Tres Pescados Fly Shop to stock up on flies, leaders and sun protection.

Here’s my recommendation on rods, reels, lines, leaders, tippet and flies, plus apparel and other gear to pack. Let me know what I’ve forgotten in the comments section below.

Let’s start with your rods, reels and lines.

Fly Rods

If you could only bring two rods, pack an 8 and a 10 weight. You’ll find the 8wt is perfect for chasing the schools of Bonefish and will work for smaller Permit in light conditions. (If you’re solely focused on Bonefish, you could even just pack a 7wt if that’s what you have.)

The 10wt is excellent for juvenile Tarpon and to chase big Permit in windier conditions or for longer shots.

And if you could add two more rods to your holiday quiver, a 12wt is good for the bigger Permit particularly over summer.

Plus a 9wt, optimal for Permit. But that’s a lot of rods! Make them all 9 foot long medium to fast action carbon fibre (graphite) for the 7-9 weight rods. No shorter than 8’ 6” for the 10 & 12wt rods.

Check out Epic’s Reference Fly Rods if you want an excellent 8wt or 10wt 9 foot graphite rod, or if you’re in the market for a fibreglass rod to use in Belize.

Fly Reels

Premium, sealed drag, saltwater-suitable reels such as those made by Epic, Sage (Spectrum Max), Nautilus (CFF-X2) or Hatch in matching line weights (7+, 9+, 11+) are excellent. Danielsson (ships direct from manufacturer) make more modestly priced reels with excellent drag that will suffice without breaking the budget.

Make sure to rinse your reels thoroughly after every daily outing to keep salt sand and mud away from the action and the lines.

Fly Lines

Both Rio and Scientific Anglers have an excellent range of weight forward floating lines for flats fishing with specialist lines for Bonefish, Permit and Tarpon if you wish to splash out. The Cortland Tropic Compact is a well-priced option for your 8wt or 9/10wt line. You’re aiming for delicate presentations and accurate placement in a quick cast, often into wind. So get a line that’s a good balance between forward weight for a fast shoot and sufficient taper to place the fly without spooking your target fish.

Leaders & Tippit

If you’re using commercial leaders, your specialist saltwater fluorocarbon tapered bonefish leader will likely terminate at 12 or 16 lb. Pack plenty and check for nicks regularly. Swap out daily. A 12lb leader will avoid having to use fluorocarbon saltwater tippet to get down to the ~0.011 inch diameter you’re looking for.

For Permit, bring the same fluorocarbon leaders in a range of terminal weights such as 12lb, 16lb, and 20lb.

You’ll need the 20lb for juvenile tarpon, so pack two spools, plus bigger tippet weights for larger fish. Make sure it’s abrasive-resistant saltwater fluorocarbon tippet. Your guide will advise.

Flies

Standard bonefish patterns in sizes #6-8 work here. The typical Crazy Charlie and CXI Special/Gotcha patterns tied lighter and sparser (both with and without silver bead eyes) and with less weight will work exceptionally well for the smaller, plentiful bones frequenting the southern Belize flats.

Be sure to pack a few of your heavier Aitutaki, French Polynesia or Hawaii bonefish flies as well. They’ll be suitable for stronger currents and in the deeper water more common in northern Belize.

For Permit, your Mantis Shrimp patterns up to size #4 will work well. And don’t forget the all important crab patterns, including the famed Bauer Crab in drab green. This dark olive version works well on Belize’s turtle grass flats.

Apparel

Pack some light SPF50+ sun protection including hoody options and long wading pants. Do everything you can to avoid severe sunburn as this is ruin your adventure. Check out the Carbon range from relatively new fishing apparel brand, Skwala Fishing who are making some well-respected gear.

Skwala is also make quality lightweight rain jackets. A decent jacket is vital to pack as you’re a long way from your accommodation when the squalls hit the boat.

Don’t forget to pack a couple of hats with decent brims and solid fabric sun protection, plus a SPF50+ facemask (Buff), some gloves and athletic finger tape into your day bag.

Sunglasses

I choose to wear Tonic Eyewear from Australia – with lenses of copper coating and a green mirror finish for on the saltwater flats. High quality sunglasses are a must. Don’t leave home without two pair.

I find green mirror protection is better for the flats fly angling but for deep sea fishing, the blue mirror offers very high reflection and less UV penetration on the brightest days.

If you have yellow or grey lenses, pack them for first thing in the morning or on cloudy days.

Bajio and Smiths are two other high quality eyewear options, but I find the Tonic range is very light and their service is exceptional, so have chosen them over bigger name brands. Costa quality and service appears to have declined since their sale. Tonic offers a prescription service and an initial consultation by phone or online is useful in getting the right lenses and frames for your individual fishing conditions.

Wading Boots

Pack solid, dry footwear and a waterproof bag to bring them back home in. Patagonia make an excellent robust wading boot but they are expensive. The ‘buy once, cry once’ rational applies here as having your footwear disintegrate whilst on a trip abroad won’t work out well for you. There have been issues raised with the reliability of Simms Flats shoes so I can’t recommend them. Getting a cut from coral or a bite/sting in these warm tropical waters is also a bad idea, so make sure to have decent gaiters and be careful where you tread.

Beverages

During your angling sessions, keep up the hydration (your guide will pack cold water and drinks into the boat). Use electrolyte sachets to keep you fully charged.

And to end the day, Belikin Beer is popularly deemed official beer of Belize. They make a European-style lager, a Premium beer, and a smokey rich Belikin Stout!

Licence

Finally, make sure you’ve sorted a licence with your guide or get it online here: https://apps.coastalzonebelize.org/ if you’re kicking off with some DIY angling.

Enjoy your trip!