Caye Caulker, BZ

Went to Belize for 15 days. Snorkel with Sharks (Nurse) and Southern Rays. Lots of fish. Warm weather. Only rained 2x. One evening, hard. And right after we arrived at the Caye Caulker airport to depart. did I mention warm and warm water. As to the fishing, I sucked! First time fishing a 9 wt for Bonefish and Permit. I caught a few small bones, but the big ones on the flats, I either hit the water wrong to spook them or too short to reach them. Guide said lazy arm for casting. Only saw 4 permit, and was not even close to catching one. $200 US for a 1/2 day of guided flats fishing, 1 or 2 people. I was a single. A little windy, but very interesting type fishing. All sight casting. Nice school of bones at San Pedro, Ambergris Caye in front of the hotel. Hooked one, but could not land. Were very spooky with all the boat traffic, etc. Will have to practice more before flats fishing again. We had dinner one night at an Italian Restuarant. Excellent food. Sandos. He fished offshore, and if I had eaten there sooner, could have connected up for an offshore trip. He had the heavy gear for sails, etc. and liked to share boat expenses. He cooked as he said he could not fish all the time and needed something to do. Was closing for 2 months to go to Alaska. So was not the money.
They had Yaks for rent, but the other couple was not interested, and wife did not think she could easily get back in after snorkeling.  Was a little breezy, but the water was cold the last couple days as wind was up and was clear.  About 79 degrees.  Earlier was 83-84.  good ok, maybe 60'     Did see lobsters.  Season closed.  Lion fish, a few. They say they are really tasty and trying to get the chefs to sell them as they are not native and wreck the coral.

Lion fish, a few. They say they are really tasty and trying to get the chefs to sell them as they are not native and wreck the coral.

I have a good buddy who wrote the Moon Handbooks guide for Belize and he tells me we should all go down there and shoot all the lionfish we can find!!!!!

They are meant to be hella tasty as long as you clean them right and don't poke yourself!!

Thanks for the report Bill!!

You gonna be up at Shelter Cove again this year?? I hope so!!
 
Sincerely,

Jim

glad you had a good trip to belize, i have spent alot of time on ambergis caye chasing fish with the long rod, one of my favorite places on this planet, have caught many bones and tarpon, still hunting that permit though, have had a few shots but no success, thanks for bringing back some fond memories, cameron

Thanks for the report. The last time I was way down south many years ago one of the locals told me to go to the beach and dig up some worms in the sand and use them.  It was a lot cheaper then hiring a guide and the I did catch some nice bone fish.

I wanted them on the long rod.  Lots of snapper caught from shore.  Even a small one on the fly rod.  Always wanted to do a guided flats trip.  Was $225 with tip, so not bad.  I just could not get the fly out far and flat.  My fault.  Mostly the fly is small streams in the sierras and stripers in the delta.  Neither are as spooky or need to cast as far.   There was a nice school in front of the hotel in San Pedro.  Hooked one, but did not land.  LDR on it.  Got a little slack, and did not set the hook well.  Will be better when I go to St. John sometime.  Will practice more before going.

Sounds like you had a good time there.  One of my friends invited me there this Winter and I'm seriously consider his offer.  Thanks for the trip report Bill.

Sounds like you had a good time there.  One of my friends invited me there this Winter and I'm seriously consider his offer.  Thanks for the trip report Bill.

Sonny, if you go you should check out my buddy's guide book:

http://www.moon.com/books/moon-handbooks/moon-belize-eighth-edition

Josh and I were in the Peace Corps in Nicaragua together and I know he is very committed to trying to put the most recent, most accurate info into his guidebooks.

Bring your speargun for the Lionfish as well!!!!!!

http://ambergriscaye.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/402475/Re_Eat_Lionfish.html

 
Sincerely,

Jim

Very nice!  Thanks for the links Jim.