Fish Species Information

Stalking and sight casting to wary, skittish fish, in a foot and a half of warm, gin clear water, has become the ultimate angling experience. When you combine the fabulous natural beauty of the environments where a great deal of saltwater fly fishing takes place, with the incredible power of even a small bonefish, it's an intoxicating thrill ride for fly rodders of all levels of experience. For this reason, the popularity of saltwater fly fishing has exploded. And bonefishing has been at the forefront of this growth.

Bonefish - Size and Distribution in Belize

The Belizean coast is blessed with a myriad of excellent bonefish environments. And while the country is not known for producing really big bonefish, there are plenty of them here! Each year we have several clients land 10+ pound bonefish. However, the average sized fish is generally smaller than those found in Florida and the Bahamas and is somewhere between 2-3 pounds. But, there are lots of them and Belizean bones aren't under the same type of angling pressure as their cousins to the North are.

  
Most fly rodders who hook up with their first bonefish are shocked at the power and strength that the 'gray ghost' of the flats posses. Bonefish are built for speed and feeding on the bottom, and once hooked, will run deeply into an anglers backing in such a short period of time, that many first timers are instantly hooked on bonefishing for life. The brute strength of this fish will thrill even the most jaded freshwater angler.

Sapodilla Cayes

Both Franks Caye and Nicolas Caye have decent numbers of bones and there are often some huge fish swimming in these schools. Nicolas also has some big fish and there are a couple of schools off Hunting Caye that tend to stay in deeper water (over 6 feet) In general though, the bones that are in this area are pretty spooky from all the boats sent over to the reserve from Black Point Resort and El Pescador PG. Limited wading options here.
• Fair

Punta Gorda and Port Honduras Marine Reserve

This region is dreadful for bonefish.
There simply aren't any bones in this area, regardless of what people might tell you. A little further north, in the Ycacos Lagoon, when fishing for permit, we will occasionally see the odd school of bonefish. They are generally pretty big fish, (4-6 pounds) but very difficult to locate on any consistent basis.
• Poor

- Flats Species Information Pages -

Bonefish - pg 1, pg 2 , pg 3
Permit - pg 1, pg 2 , pg 3
Tarpon - pg 1, pg 2 , pg3