Fly Fish For Bonefish In Belize With Tarpon Caye Lodge
Fly fishing for bonefish in one of the least pressured fisheries in the Caribbean. Guided and DIY fly fishing packages available.
Southern Belize has miles of shallow water perfectly suited for bonefish, and Tarpon Caye Lodge sits 15 miles off the coast of Placencia surrounded by flats that hold fish throughout the year. Bonefish are a regular part of our fishery, whether you're specifically looking for them or taking advantage of an opportunity that shows up during a day of permit or tarpon fishing.
We fly fish for bonefish from poled panga skiffs and on foot, looking for tails, wakes, and schools moving across the flats. The fish here are generally willing to eat a well-presented fly, making them a great target for new saltwater anglers. For experienced anglers, they are an opportunity to grab a lighter rod, get out of the boat, and spend time taking shots at fish.
Bonefish may not get the attention permit and tarpon receive at Tarpon Caye, but they shouldn't be overlooked. They are fast, they live in skinny water, and they eat flies recklessly.
Bonefish can fit into just about any day at Tarpon Caye. You may start the morning looking for tails on our Home Flat before breakfast. If you want to dedicate a full day to bonefish, tell your guide. There are plenty of places to go look for them.
A lot of the fun with bonefishing is getting out of the boat. Walking a firm shallow flat with a fly rod in hand and looking for wakes, tails, or a school pushing water is about as pure as fly fishing gets. It is just you, your rod, and the fish, at your own pace. Bonefish here are generally willing, and a good presentation is often rewarded.
Schools of bonefish can keep you busy for hours. Make a cast, hook a fish, and watch the rest of the school settle back down before working your way into position for another shot. Singles and smaller groups can be a bit more technical, but the fishing remains simple. There is a reason bonefish have introduced so many anglers to saltwater fly fishing. The shots are visual, the fish are willing, and when you come tight, they leave in a hurry.
When back at the lodge after a day of bonefishing, grab a cold drink and swap stories with the other anglers, or retreat to your cabin and enjoy the island on your own. Dinner brings everyone together, but there is always time to grab a rod and look for bonefish before the light disappears.
How We Fly Fish For Bonefish In Belize
We fly fish for bonefish both on foot and from poled panga skiffs. Wading is a big part of the bonefishing game at Tarpon Caye. Firm flats allow anglers to cover very shallow water quietly, looking for tails, wakes, nervous water, and schools moving across the flat. From the skiff, the added height makes fish easier to spot and allows us to cover deeper water.
Bonefish shots can happen at just about any distance, but quick and accurate is usually more important than long. Schools can usually be seen from a distance and often give anglers a larger target and more room for error, while singles and smaller groups can require a little more precision. Being able to react quickly to both good and bad shots allows anglers to maximize their opportunities.
We typically fish small shrimp and crab patterns on floating lines. The presentation is straightforward. Get the fly in front of the fish quietly, let it settle, and move it naturally once the fish is in range. Bonefish here generally want to eat, and a proper presentation usually gives them a good reason to.
When To Fly Fish For Bonefish In Belize
Bonefish are a year-round fishery at Tarpon Caye. They live on and around all of the flats in the area and can be targeted during any month of the year. If bonefish are your priority, let us know and we'll spend our time focusing on them.
Weather and water conditions can change how we approach the fishing. Wind can make fish harder to see but offers anglers more concealment, while calm conditions make wakes, tails, and moving schools easier to spot but also can make the fish spookier.
There really isn't a bad time to fly fish for bonefish in Belize. The best time to come is when it works for you. Bring a good pair of wading boots and plan on spending some time on foot.
Where We Fly Fish For Bonefish At Tarpon Caye Lodge
Tarpon Caye Lodge sits 15 miles off the coast of Placencia in southern Belize, surrounded by miles of shallow flats that hold bonefish throughout the year. From our private island, anglers have access to bonefish water in nearly every direction.
Belize Bonefish Fly Fishing Trips
Tarpon Caye Lodge offers guided and DIY bonefish fly fishing trips for anglers of all experience levels. Whether you prefer the knowledge of a local guide or the freedom to explore the flats on your own, Tarpon Caye is a great place to spend time chasing bonefish.
Guided Bonefishing Packages
4-7 Night Packages (Double And Single Occupancy Rates Available)
Daily Guided Fly Fishing Charters
All Meals, Belizean Alcoholic, And Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Ground And Water Transfers From/To Placencia
DIY Bonefishing Packages
4-7 Night Packages (Double And Single Occupancy Rates Available)
Use Of Kayaks And Paddle Boards
All Meals, Belizean Alcoholic, And Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Ground And Water Transfers From/To Placencia
