FISHING REPORT ~ AUGUST 14, 2017
Fishing at BRL these past few weeks again proved that the big Migratory Tarpon were still in our immediate area in very good numbers and many were caught. The June rains were a lot less than we usually expect for the first month of the rainy season and so the nearby rivers and waterways were fairly clean and just as productive as in the drier months. Many returning anglers were again challenged and excited by jumping and landing Tarpon of all sizes, from 4 to 150 pounds. In addition to the many Small Tarpon (under 50 pound), multiple 80, 100, 110, 125, and 135 pounders were brought to the boat. Some were photographed with the angler in the water. We make it a practice of not bringing big Tarpon into the boat.
The always very challenging Permit that were cast to, hooked or landed ranged from very little ones of about three pounds to some that weighed 25 pounds and more.
Snook fishing was most productive for those anglers willing and able to make accurate casts into and very close to the mangroves. Those landed ranged from 4 pounds to a few up to 24 pounds. Snook fishing with a fly is especially challenging to keep those survivors from breaking off in the nearby mangrove roots.
Some anglers fishing BRL for the first time were very complimentary of our operation and especially the quality of our primary light tackle game fish species, Tarpon, Permit, Bonefish and Snook. Several Grand Slams were landed and many more were cast to, hooked and lost. Other species such as Cudas, Jacks, Lookdowns, many species of Snappers and Ladyfish added to the variety.
Throughout the month of July we also experienced unusually good weather with many sunny as well as many calm days. The occasional daytime showers were very welcomed to cool off the warm days. We were all very fortunate that most rain and thunder storms were at night. In July Snook fishing was the most productive and a few Tarpon over 100 pounds were caught, probably residents that are here all year round. In early August we had a Tropical Storm threat that passed north of Belize. In fact we had some very sunny and calm weather which was rather surprising as the storm went across the Yucatan.