Fishing in Belize with Roxtons

Belize is a fascinating country with wonderfully friendly people and El Pescador occupies a niche market on Ambergris Cay as being the only dedicated fishing lodge in an area where you might expect several.

The fishing here is supremely diverse and when you combine that with excellent local guides, a great lodge and a superb atmosphere you have something that would suit everyone.

El Pescador has access to a huge area of flats and being the only dedicated fishing lodge on Ambergris Cay it has unspoilt access to vast number of different types of fishing.

As a result, the greatest feature of the fishing at El Pescador is the variety on offer. One minute you will be chasing spooky bonefish in very skinny water and then next you can be casting to very large rolling tarpon in a deep channel.

It is for the permit though that most people come. These infuriating fish are targeted by rods all over the saltwater fishing world, but Belize remains one of the very best places to finally land one. Permit fishing is hard work and you should expect many hours of frustrated searching but at El Pescador the quiet times are less than elsewhere and you can reasonably hope for many shots each day. It is a fact that when permit fishing you are more likely to be unsucessful than in any other form of saltwater fishing but the elation that comes with landing one is certainly worth the wait.

The lodge uses the very best local guides that are available, all of whom speak good English and are extremely knowledgeable about the fishing and the wildlife in the area. The combination of this and the abundance of fish make El Pescador an excellent choice for both beginners and world class fishermen.

Accommodations at El Pescador are as varied as they are comfortable. Choices range from an ocean view room in the mahogany lodge to luxury three bedroom villas, set in tropical gardens and surrounding a private pool. Meals are a delicious fusion of seafood buffets and fresh vegetables served alongside international and local Belizean cuisine.

At El Pescador you may choose from a standard hotel room in the main lodge or a private villa 1, 2, or 3 bedroom villa accommodation. The main lodge is an intimate, 14-room hotel set in a colonial style mahogany building with a long veranda overlooking the beach and barrier reef.

El Pescador Villas are a collection of beautiful one, two and three-bedroom villas, set in 2 individual groupings, each surrounding a private pool.

El Pescador is on the Bahia del Punta Arena, 2.6 miles north of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. The spot is quiet and private, yet close enough to reach town on foot, bicycle, shuttle, water taxi or golf cart. The El Pescador property stretches across the island from beach to lagoon, offering immediate access to fishing, snorkelling or picking up sea shells.

Rod and Reel
Permit are the primary objective of many anglers at El Pescador. On the bars and flats near Ambergris Cay, you can expect plenty of shots at Permit averaging 10-20 pounds. The perfect rod for permit is a 9ft 10 weight that you are comfortable casting over some distance.

The ideal rod for bonefish is a 9ft 8 weight with a robust reel constructed from a non-corrosive metal such as aluminum with good smooth drag control. The reel should hold at least 150 yards of backing. You should ensure that you have a spare rod in case of breakage as well as a spare reel and spools in case of accidents.

If you are going to be targeting tarpon these immensely powerful fish require a 9ft, 10 to 12 weight fly rod, outfitted with a good quality tarpon reel.

Lines
High visibility weight forward lines compensate for the ever-present trade winds and can be seen in the air or on the water in bright light. Take an extra fly line just in case the first suffers damage. For tarpon and bone fishing you should also have an intermediate line as well.

Nylon
Leaders should be 9 to 12ft, tapered clear nylon with tippet between 10 and 15 lbs. Ensure that you carry plenty with you. Most tackle stores stock excellent pre-tied bonefish leaders.

Flies
Below is a list of some of the flies we recommend:

Bonefish flies

• Pop's Bonefish Bitters
• Pop's Egghead Bitters
• To-Dy-For (small unweighted shrimp pattern)
• Turneffe Foam Crab
• Gotcha, Horror, baited Breath
• Crazy Charlies - white, pink, brown
• Raghead Crab
• Various small shrimp and crab patterns

Permit Flies

• Del Brown's Permit Crab
• Raghead Crab
• McCrab
• Various other crab patterns

Tarpon Flies

• Apte style tarpon flies
• Cockroach, black & purple, orange & black, red & black
• Dark colours tend to be better in the early morning and brighter colours work best when it is bright

The list is endless and will depend to a large extent on the kind of flat you are fishing, it's background colour and depth.

The ideal location for a non-fishing guest, El Pescador also offers a multitude of other activities including guided nature tours and trails exploring Mayan ruins and the lush rainforest.

Alternatively, set off on a catamaran to neighbouring cayes and islands or go tubing through the rainforest rivers and into caves beset with crystal formations.

Scuba diving and eco-adventures are also available.

Season
November until August.

Time Difference from GMT
- 6 hours.

Electricity
Although most of the electricity is provided by Diesel/Generator Sets, the power is stable at 110 Volts A.C., which is the same voltage as in the United States.

Currency
The official currency is the Belizian Dollar BZD$, but the US Dollar is widley used.

Tips
Gratuities are not included in the cost, so we suggest the following as a guideline: US$30 per angler per day is commonly given to your guide and $10-15 per person per night to be given to the lodge staff.

Visa Requirements for UK citizens
British nationals can normally visit Belize for up to 30 days without needing to obtain a visa. However, you must ensure that your passport is stamped on entry as failure to do so can result in either a fine and imprisonment when you come to leave the country.

Your passport should have at least 6 months validity before travelling to Belize.  If you are travelling via the US you will require an ESTA Visa which you can apply for online.

Medical Requirements
Several cases of Dengue fever have occurred in Belize in 2006. Although there is no preventative medication, mosquito repellent and clothing, which covers as much skin as possible, should help. Dengue fever has not been reported at any of the lodges.

Insects
Biting insects can be a bit of a pain whilst at the lodge or on the beach, so take plenty of repellent.