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With hundreds of miles of fishing areas, Belize is an angler's paradise. Fish fans are attracted to the waters of Belize because of the varied types of fishing only the Caribbean Sea has to offer. Belize's aquatic ecosystem is rich with a diverse number of fish and excellent fishing grounds that are surprisingly uncrowded.
Playing the Game Fish
The aquatic realm off the coast of Belize maintains a complex ecosystem made up of a countless number of sea animals, including baitfish, crabs, shrimp and microscopic sea organisms. These smaller sea creatures are plentiful in Belize's waters and provide food for larger game fish, such as permit, bonefish, and barracuda, which are fished for in lagoons and just off of Belize's coast. Tarpon (which can reach more than 200 pounds), snook, snapper, and jacks are plentiful around the mouths and inlets of Belize's rivers, while barracuda, grouper, and some amberjacks and snapper live in the coral reefs.
Head for deeper waters if you want to fish for larger quarry like the marlin, sailfish, pompano, and bonita, which are popular catches pulled from the deep. All the aquatic game of Belize's underwater world provide ample opportunities for vacationers who want to enjoy great Caribbean fishing and the chance to reel in several kinds of exotic game fish.
Deep Sea Fishing
Fishermen who want to hook the bigger game fish should try the deeper waters of the briny Caribbean. The sea outside of Belize's barrier reef yields large fish like billfish, marlin, wahoo, dorado, and various kinds of sharks. Fishing the deep sea requires patience and strength. The wait will be well worth it once you hook one of these giant fish of the deep. But be prepared for some action, as these large fish aren't reeled in without a fight.
River Fishing
The coast of Belize consists of a number of river mouths, creeks, small cayes (islands), lagoons, and flats. Belize City offers both great river fishing as well as coastal fishing. One of the most popular game fish in the Belize Olde River is the permit. Belize is world-renowned for its permit fishing, which is typically most popular between October and July. Weighing anywhere from 5 to more than 30 pounds, these fish may not be large, but they put up a heck of a fight. Other fish that are popularly sought by river fishermen are bonefish, tarpon, snappers, jacks, groupers, cobia, and barracuda.
While fishing along the coast of Belize, don't be surprised if you encounter other forms of the country's wildlife, including howler monkeys, large iguanas, various exotic birds, manatees, and even crocodile sunning along Belize's coastline.
Reef Fishing
Belize's expansive barrier reef provides shelter for an array of fish species and other sea creatures. While fishing near the reefs, the most common catches have been mutton and yellowtail snapper (the largest recorded snapper weighed 16 pounds), jack crevalle, grouper, and barracuda. Reef fishing is sometimes called bottom fishing and is a popular activity among families vacationing in Belize because it's easy and fun. You can spot many types of creatures while reef fishing, including the occasional shark.
Flat Fishing From the Cayes
In Belize, flat fishing means taking a boat to one of the region's cayes, traveling to the back of the islet on its lagoon side, and fishing for bonefish, tarpon and permit, which are bountiful in these areas. Barracuda, jack crevalle, and snooks are often caught in these waters as well.
Fishing Charters
These are some among the many fishing lodges, resorts, and charters in Belize that offer special fishing packages, which include all the costs of your sea adventure.
B&B Worldwide Fishing Adventures
Belize Charters
Belize Missions
Belize River Lodge
Capt. Gene Kelly's Tropical Fishing Adventures in Belize
Nepenthe Charters
Pleasure Cove Lodge-Belize
Kingfisher Adventures
Vic's Flyfishing
Along with boundless fishing possibilities, the waters of Belize are often uncrowded, free of swarming fishermen, and serene. Belize officials encourage a catch-and-release policy for all fish that you're not going to eat to preserve the Caribbean's delicate aquatic ecosysytem. In Belize, you're guaranteed to find a great fishing spot while vacationing in this enchanting country.
