A recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including 2022 International Destination of the Year, and known as a world class fly fishing resort, this facility is a top choice for anglers, eco-adventurers, couples and families looking for the best of Belize.
This beachfront lodge and villas are situated on over 45 private acres with ambiance, specializing in fishing, diving and eco-adventures. They are family-owned and operated with emphasis on creating camaraderie and an authentic Belizean experience. Since 1974, this lodge has long been known as a world-class fishing destination offering outstanding flats fishing for bonefish, tarpon and permit. The resort is among a select few of key organizations to implement the new Law protecting bonefish, tarpon and permit as catch and release species. Clients are captivated by the serene and gracious establishment on the doorstep of the world’s largest living Barrier Reef. In addition to unequaled fishing, this first-rate resort offers all the eco-adventures which take full advantage of Belize’s exotic flora and fauna. Scuba diving, snorkeling, manatee watching, cave-tubing and zip-lining, and Maya archaeological explorations are just a small assortment of the activities available while staying here.
THE FISHING
Here you achieve the anglers’ ultimate dream – a Grand Slam of bonefish, tarpon and permit. Belize’s shallow water contains the only classic tarpon flats outside South Florida. Their fishing flats are world renowned for offering the opportunity to sight cast to tarpon 12 months a year.
The bonefish grounds are only minutes from the lodge. Fish from the boat or wade-able flats available all around the resort. The bonefish run from 2 – 5 lbs, are plentiful, and eager to take a fly. Permit are found on the bonefish flats, and on many of the tarpon flats as well. Rod bending permit are found in large schools and range from 4 – 30 lbs, with the majority running about 8 – 10 lbs.
This incredible fishery has year round resident tarpon over 100 lbs. In Late summer they have the added bonus of a large migratory population of big fish.
“My trip to this lodge gave me the perfect opportunity to “double dip”! I no longer need to choose between a great fishing vacation for myself or a wonderful family vacation. Although I chose this lodge because it is known first and foremost as a world-class fishing destination, they go out of their way to cater to the non-angling guest. They offer free use of kayaks and bicycles for exploring the Caye and offer trips to snorkel and dive, explore Maya ruins, zip lining, etc. We’ll be back!”
This facility has three generations of guide staff working full time that know every detail of the flats surrounding Ambergris Caye and beyond. You will be hard-pressed to find a more experienced group of full-time professional Belize guides and staff anywhere.
All guides are native San Pedranos born and raised on the island and all speak English. Many of the guides have been working here for almost 30 years. Now their second and third generation guides have been trained by their fathers and uncles with whom they typically spend a decade learning the craft before becoming a Captain of their own flats boat. The guides’ encyclopedic knowledge of this fishery comes from a lifetime dedicated to learning where the fish are and how they behave. Guides are talented casters and will be happy to provide instruction during your fishing day.
Communication is key to success. Communicate with your guide throughout the day. Do you want to bonefish all day? Is there a chance for permit or tarpon? Are you interested in different species? If you would like help or advice, please do not hesitate to ask. Maybe you change your mind during the day and want to see if a different opportunity is available, ask away! If you have been tarpon fishing for 3 hours without a bite and you feel like you need a tug desperately, ask to go catch a bonefish! If you enjoy wading, just ask the guide. The point is that the guide will not know what you are feeling unless you tell him.
BELIZE FISHING AVERAGES GOOD TO GREAT
You’re staying in a neo-tropical climate where temperatures varies less than 10 degrees F year round. So rather than seasons, they have micro-climate changes, where they are subject to the occasional cold front in the winter months. The Wind is part of our tropical environment; some days are windy, some are not. They get less than 25 inches of rain annually.
Fish reside here 12 months of the year, plus the addition of a major tarpon migration in late summer. Any day of the year you can be assured that the fishery is diverse and abundant. Months tend to blend into one another. If our “best” month is a 10, then our “worst” month is an 8 1/2 or a 9.
January- On calm days you should see as many as 50-75 tarpon, 20-90 pound range. Generally, bone and tarpon fishing are good; reef fishing good to excellent on calm days.
February- Fish are plentiful on the flats if the wind isn’t too strong. Tarpon in the 20-90 pound range. Bones, Permit, and tarpon fishing are good, but weather-dependent. Reef fishing is excellent.
March- Plenty of 20-90 pound tarpon on the calmer days. Plenty of bonefish. Tarpon in lagoons. Reef fishing good to excellent. Permit schooled up in good numbers.
April- Lots of tarpon, 40-100 pounds, and they are more aggressive. Migrating tarpon start coming onto the reefs. It’s a good month for permit too. Usually large schools of small permit, and plenty of bones. Reef fishing excellent.
May- Generally our hottest month, with calm-to-light breezes. It’s not uncommon to see huge schools of 200-300 bones. Tarpon on both flats and the reef. Reef fishing is good to excellent.
June- Bone fishing is excellent as it always is from April through October. Tarpon on both the flats and reef. Reef fishing good to excellent.
July, August, and September- Usually calm and warm. Great fishing. Lots of bones, lots of tarpon to well over 100 pounds. We consider this the best tarpon season of the year. The most and the largest tarpon have been caught in August and September. We also find some of the largest permit of the year during tarpon migration.
October- Lots of tarpon, large and aggressive. Bones are larger and more aggressive too. Big schools of jack crevelle are also on the flats now and it is a good month for the larger permit. Reef fishing fair to good. If there is a lot of rainfall on the mainland, snook arrive on the flats in large numbers. The lodge record for the most tarpon landed in a single day was had in October by Dick Smith with 7 tarpon landed and another 5 jumped.
November- There are plenty of 60-100 pound tarpon on the flats. Jack crevalle and bone fishing are also good. Reef fishing good to excellent.
December- If the sun stays out there are plenty of barracuda, bones, and tarpon (40-80 pounds) on the flats. Jacks and ladyfish too. The full moon brings grouper and snappers to the reef to spawn. Reef fishing good to excellent
FLY FISHING GEAR
Fly rods in the 7-8 wt. range are the ideal size for Belize bonefish. The lighter rods (7 wt) are great when there is little or no wind and an 8-weight rod has more than enough muscle to deliver a fly in even the stiffest of gales. Moreover, the 8-weight rod will double as the ideal rod for permit and light tarpon fishing. Many anglers prefer to have the larger rod, 8-10 wt. rigged up and in the boat for the permit and a 7 weight rod with a floating line in hand for the bonefish that are routine. This also leaves a heavier rod as a reserve for extremely windy days. Ten to twelve weight rods are perfect for Central American tarpon fishing.
The choice of rod length is important. Nine or nine-and-a-half foot-long rods are optimum. More line can be picked up off the water with the longer rods, with less surface disturbance. Also, for the vast majority of fly anglers, greater distances can be covered with less effort using the longer fly rods.
FLY REELS Should be anodized, corrosion-resistant saltwater models that will hold a full fly line, plus approximately 200 yards of 20 lb. backing for bonefish and permit, and 250 yards of 30-50 pound backing for tarpon. Reels equipped with high quality, smooth, drags are essential to prevent break-offs from the blistering runs of a hooked fish.
FLY LINES A weight forward tropical saltwater taper floating line is ideal for most of the sight fishing you will encounter. There may be a few times when an intermediate sinking line is the answer for tarpon and permit fishing. Anglers should also bring along some sort of line cleaner for the lines as well, since saltwater has a way of making them sticky after a few days’ use.
LEADERS Tarpon- 9 foot straight piece of 40, 60 or 80 lb. Fluorocarbon Tippet Material.
Bonefish- Tapered Leaders 9’-12’ feet long, –ending in 10 or 12 pound.
Permit- Tapered Leaders 9’-14 feet long –ending in 16 to 20 pound.
CATCH AND RELEASE- Permit, bonefish and tarpon are always released; other species like snapper & grouper may be kept for the table.
ACCOMODATIONS
Choose between recently renovated 14 rooms in the colonial-style Main Lodge, or upgrade to the Villas. All rooms in the Main Lodge and all Villas are oceanfront with views of the Caribbean Sea and Belize Barrier Reef. Modern, air-conditioned lodge rooms feature private en-suite baths, a small refrigerator and coffee maker, one king or two queen beds, and a sitting area. Couples, families, or small groups who prefer additional space and privacy can opt for a one, two, or three-bedroom Villa with a living area, full kitchen, dining room, and spacious deck with direct access to the pools.
FRESH, LOCAL CARIBBEAN CUISINE
Daily menus include delicious standard daily meals as well as vegetarian and vegan options. The lodge always provides a seasonal farm-to-table dining experience that reflects the culinary origins of our country. The fish catch is from nearby waters – meats and produce come from family-owned and local farms on mainland Belize.
Breakfast – A la carte menu. Served from 5:30 am – 9 am.
Lunch: A la carte menu. Served from 12 noon–2 pm
Dinner: Served at 6:45pm. (In addition to the prefixed menu, local grilled fish fillet as well as a vegan option are offered every night.
GRAND SLAM BAR- The Grand Slam bar is a perfect place to relax after a full day of activity! In addition to a full selection of both local and imported beverages, entertain yourselves with a pool table, Foosball table, a fly tying area and other games. Bar opens at 2:00 pm for drinks. Afternoon bar snacks are available from 3-5pm.
NON-FISHING ADVENTURES
Add a Belize adventure to your vacation package. Choose from land, sea, or land/sea activities where you can explore the waters, dive the reef, see Mayan ruins, zip-line through jungle canopies, float tube through an ancient cave, and many more. See the front desk for more information while you’re here. Want to include specific activities planned in advance? No problem. Let us know what you would like to do and we can custom tailor an all-inclusive package for you.
How To Get There
International flights to Belize City’s Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) go through Miami, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Denver, Newark, Chicago, and Charlotte. The major airlines that are currently servicing and will be flying to Belize in the immediate future are American Airlines, United, Delta, Southwest, and Alaska Airlines. Book your flights to arrive and depart (BZE) between 6am-6pm.
SUMMARY
Arrive at Belize International Airport no later than 6pm
Proceed through Immigration
Collect your bags
Proceed through Customs
Go to Main Terminal – Tropic Air Counter
Tickets to San Pedro are waiting for you.
Board flight to San Pedro (20 minutes)
Disembark and a lodge Representative will meet you
We will transport you and your luggage to the dock
Board our boat
Enjoy a 7-minute boat ride to our Resort
RELAX – YOU MADE IT!
RATES AND PACKAGES– Guests have two rate options: All-inclusive or nightly lodging-only rates.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN ALL INCLUSIVE?
The number of nights lodging specified in your package in a standard room
Roundtrip land, air and sea transfers between Belize International Airport and the lodge
3 meals per day and hors d’oeuvres
Belizean beverages (including soda, beer and rum) consumed at our bar
Complimentary use of all amenities (pools, WIFI, paddle boards, kayaks, bikes, etc)
2024 fishing packages include the features of our all-inclusive standard package with daily guided fishing bundled in. Prices are based on single or double occupancy and whether your fishing solo or together with another angler.
WHAT’S INCLUDED FOR 2024
The number of nights lodging and days fishing specified in your package, roundtrip air, land and sea transfers between Belize City and the lodge, 3 meals per day, an afternoon snack, local Belizean beverages consumed at our bar (including soda, beer and rum), complimentary use of on-site amenities (pools, internet, paddle-boards, canoes, bikes, etc).
PACKAGES DO NOT INCLUDE:
9% hotel tax and/or 12.5% GST tax. Sport fishing licenses available https://apps.coastalzonebelize.org, park fees (if applicable), fly rods/reels (which may be borrowed, based on availability), imported beverages, terminal tackle or gratuities.
PRIVATE VILLAS- NIGHTLY RATES:
All villas are located on the beach, overlooking the pool and the Caribbean.
Winter-Spring season: December 15th to June 14th
Summer Fall season: June 15th to December 14th
We request a five (5) night minimum stay.
2024 Winter- Spring
1-Bedroom Villa – $595
2-Bedroom Villa – $875
3-Bedroom Villa – $1150
2024 Summer-Fall
1-Bedroom Villa – $450
2-Bedroom Villa – $685
3-Bedroom Villa – $920
- Nightly lodging rates include complimentary use of the hotel’s canoes, kayaks, bicycles and wireless internet, and complimentary fly fishing workshops.
- Rates are based on 1 or 2 guests per room. Each additional guest is US$100 per night. There is a 3 guest per room maximum. Infants are free of charge when in the same room as their parents.
- All rates are in USD and are subject to a 9% government hotel tax.
FISH-NATION – WE ARE YOUR FISHING ADVENTURE SPECIALISTS!
PHONE: 307-637-5495 email: [email protected]
Website: www.fish-nation.com
