Fish Tales ~ August 2018
2018 Welcome
January 19, 2019Updating Website ~ January 2019
January 19, 2019Fish Tales ~ August 2018
Our fishing reports have been sparse this year, not due to lack of fishing but lack of time. Here is Mike’s latest fish tales along with reminder of our 2018 Summer/Fall Specials.
January and February of this year were unseasonably rainy and wet. June and July were unseasonably dry with minimal rainfall. So the weather was just the opposite of the normal expected conditions. Climate change? However these unusual weather conditions had no negative effect on the fishing at BRL because we always have the option of fishing three Rivers, Coastline, Flats, Cayes or Reef, whichever areas are most favourable on any given day.
Probably a little early but by about the middle of June this year most of the migratory Large Tarpon had left the area but the resident Big Tarpon were here as usual. Many Tarpon in the 75 to 100 pound class were sighted, cast to, jumped and fought for a few seconds or an hour. A few were landed when flies, lures, hooks and leaders stayed intact with two of the resident 
ladies being lost when line to backing knots failed.
Small and Medium Tarpon under 75 pounds were much more productive, landing wise, though many of the smaller ones only showed themselves for a few seconds with many rapid jumps. One guest at BRL for the first time said he only wanted Tarpon under 50 pounds. One day he landed two small ones (including one that jumped into the boat). A little later he hooked a 75 pounder that he had on for about 45 minutes (no complaints about the size).
Very often some very nice Snook are found along with Small Tarpon. Fortunately Snook also like many of the same flies and lures being used for Small Tarpon. Once they feel the hook, the reaction from Snook and Tarpon are very different. Tarpon will almost immediately jump into the air and try to shake the fly or lure. Snook will immediately turn and head for the mangrove roots to escape. Both actions are effective getaways and the angler has to be prepared to react appropriately.
Permit continue to be the most challenging light tackle species but when landed they are one of the most satisfying catches. Many Permit were seen, some singles, doubles, in small and big schools. Quick and accurate casting paid off for some anglers. Others were sometimes just plain lucky and landed Permit they had not even seen. Bonefish are always easier to catch than Permit and usually require similar skills.
Other species caught included several types of Snappers, Barracudas, Ladyfish, Jacks and Grouper. Effective flies include: Black and Red and White Tarpon Snake, Half and Half in Chartreuse (for Small Tarpon and Snook), Deep Water Clousers, Puglisis, Gotchas and Spawning Shrimp.
Guests staying at the Lodge or the Long Caye Outpost had many opportunities to pursue Tarpon, Snook, Permit and Bonefish. Both lodging options offer a wide and diverse fishing habitat.
Update later in August: The month of August this year has produced some beautiful weather because the “rainy season” has been very late starting. The Belize River is still green and the Flats, Cayes and Channels have been relatively calm and clear.
Two brothers fishing at BRL last week landed 20 and 16 pound Permit, 60 and 97 pound Tarpon. They also had another big Tarpon on for more than an hour and caught Snook, Jack Crevalles and Snappers. The resident Big Tarpon are active and will be here for anglers wanting the big one. The guests were also very complimentary about the food and service at BRL.
><((*> Catch and Release – Tarpon, Bonefish & Permit <*))><
2018 “Summer – Fall” Special
Great Flats fishing and great pricing!
Belize River Lodge is again offering the “2 for 1” special this summer and fall. The special is “purchase any single package and the second person is free” on any main Lodge or Long Caye Outpost Lodge packages. Below are the weeks of the summer/fall special that is open.
August 22 to 29, 2018
September 8 to September 15, 2018
September 29 to October 13, 2018
October 20 to October 27, 2018
November 1 to December 22, 2018
Please note that Belize River Lodge &/or Long Caye Outpost Lodge have no preset arrival or departure days, so if you find better/cheaper airfare a day or two on either side of the “special weeks”, as long as there is space, the special is valid. Please check with us.
><((*> Catch and Release – Tarpon, Bonefish & Permit <*))><
How to Get Here
Belize is getting easier and easier to visit. A few new flights have been announced.
AEROMEXICO just announced non-stop flights between Mexico City and Belize, starting in November.
WestJet has also been flying non-stop Toronto/Belize, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and Calgary/Belize on Fridays.
Along with the usual flights from
Avianca offers a direct service from San Salvador, El Salvador.
American Airlines offers direct service from Miami, FL; Dallas, TX and Los Angeles, CA and with the US Airways merger, Charlotte, NC
Copa Airlines offers service to Belize from Panama, Central America.
Delta offers direct service Atlanta, GA and Los Angeles, CA
Southwest Airlines offers direct service to Belize via Houston, TX. Denver, CO and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Tropic Air flies daily to San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa; Roatan, Honduras; Guatemala City and Flores, Guatemala and Cancun and Merida Mx.
United offers direct service Houston, TX daily; Newark, NJ & Chicago, IL
For more information on Belize River Lodge, Long Caye Outpost Lodge, our fishing or tours, please email us.
