If you are up for a spectacular fishing adventure, Belize may be just the place for you. A mecca for anglers, the waters of Belize is a host to many species of fish. It is home to bones, tarpon, snook, jacks, barracuda, grouper, snapper, sailfish, marlin, bonito and pompano. Anglers can even push their luck on one of the great catches – the elusive permit.
One of the important stops for a great Belize fishing adventure is the Placencia village. Placencia village is located at the end of the Placencia Peninsula which can be reached either by air or by road. A number of boat dock, dive shops and tour guide services can be found here.
Long before, Placencia village was but a fishing village but when tourism started, many locals concentrated more on guiding tourists. Placencia fly fishing tour guides have been well-known to be the best guides in Belize. Even though they do not have much fancy equipment, these locals had their whole lives to spend mastering their skills. They can lead you to a good catch! Snook, tarpon, jack and machaka (a local species) can be found in the Placencia Lagoon. Fishing is best late in the evening or very early in the morning.
Half an hour away by boat is the Monkey River. It is another spot for snooks, tarpon and jacks. For those who have serious passion for permits, Punta Ycacos is the perfect place. The mangrove lagoons of Punta Ycacos houses big permits. Tarpons can be a good catch here too. The lagoon can be reached by water. It is an hour and a half away from the ports of Placencia. It is recommended to camp in the area for the best Belize fishing experience at Punta Ycacos.
To cap off your fishing adventure, another Belize fishing spot is the Glover’s reef. It is about 70 miles southeast of Belize City and about two and a half hours away from Placencia by boat. The atoll was named after the pirate John Glover. All cayes except North East Caye have been considered as conservation areas. Species that can be seen within the reserve are tuna (black-fin and yellow-fin), king mackerel, barracuda, jacks, grouper and snapper. Permits can also be seen in area coral flats alongside bonefish. There are rules, however, when fishing within the reef.
Outside the reef, anglers can still enjoy their Belize fishing adventure. Here they can find snappers, grouper, tuna, barracuda, Wahoo, mackerel, marlin, sailfish and Dorado among many others. Truly, Belize is a heaven for sport fishing!