Click here for Flats fishing equipment
        
        Click here for Blue Water fishing equipment

The strength of saltwater fish will surprise even the most ardent of freshwater enthusiasts who are experiencing the “salt” for the first time. The power of the fish that you’ll be targeting while fishing with us in Belize, dictates that you must come prepared. Losing the fish of a lifetime because you decided to save some money on leaders or fly line is not a mistake that you want to make. The proper gear will greatly reduce the heart break and frustration that losing a quality fish causes. Being comfortable and having the proper gear is essential to the enjoyment of your trip. In a country like Belize, where you’ll often find yourself fishing in out of the way places where there are no stores or opportunities to purchase items you might have left at home, it is imperative that you come prepared.

   A Note on Gear

With the increase in the popularity of saltwater fly fishing over the past decade, there has been an enormous increase in the amount of fly fishing gear that is now for sale. With so many products and choices, it can be difficult to figure out what you need for your trip. If you’re at all unsure about equipment, or whether or not you really need something, please email me rich@belizeflatsfishing.com with your questions and I’ll be happy to answer them as honestly as I can.

When going on a “destination” salt water fly fishing
trip, the question of “what to bring”? is extremely
important to the overall success of your trip. I can’t
tell you how many times over the years, that I’ve run into people who, having traveled a great distance to get to Belize, have arrived completely unprepared for their week of fly fishing. Bringing down your favorite trout reel and a couple of flies for a week of bonefishing is simply not sufficient for the task at hand.

   
A Note on Reels

In Fly fishing in Saltwater, a seminal work on fly fishing the salt, Lefty Kreh states that: “no saltwater fly fishing equipment is as important to success as the reel”. Truer words have rarely been spoken and, if you take away only one thing from this web site, please let it be this! Your reel is one place where you should not be looking to save a couple of bucks. This is not to say that you can’t get a reasonably priced saltwater fly reel, because you can. But, it has to be well designed with a good (smooth) drag system to handle the long runs that you will inevitably experience while fishing in Belize.

         

General Gear

Aside from the regular type of clothing and personal effects that you would bring on any holiday, I have included a list of often-overlooked items that may be difficult to purchase or find here in Belize. Bringing these items, whether you’re staying with us in a resort town or out on one of the outer islands, will ensure that you are comfortable and properly prepared to get the most out
of your trip to Belize.

• A light rain suit for the occasional shower or boat spray

• Thick soled flats boots

• Polarized sunglasses (2 pairs) Amber, yellow, green or gray. I highly recommend Action Optics Eye Ware.
You won’t find better glasses!

• Sunscreen and lip protection (15 or higher and waterproof)

• A good fishing hat that will both keep the sun off you as well as cut down on glare (dark billed)

• Wading pack with water bottle

• Camera with film

• Extra batteries

• Insect repellent

• Extra light clothing for fishing to help keep the sun off you

• Reading materials

• Good walking shoes

• A travel alarm clock

• A small flash light

• A small hook sharpener

• Sun gloves (if needed)

• Hemostats

• Band-aids

• A supply of small US bills (1’s-and 5’s)

• Zip lock bags

• Shaving kit

• Pocketknife

Length

8 feet

9 feet

10 feet

12 feet

14 feet

16 feet

50 lb.

4'

4 1/2'

5'

6'

7'

8'

40 lb.

1'

1'

1'

2'

3'

4'

30 lb.

6'

1'

1'

1'

1'

1'

15 lb.-12-10lb.

1 1/2- 2'

1 1/2- 2'

2'

2'

2'

2'