Permit Etc.

[DartFish]

Salutations,
I am looking for the ultimate, no frills necessary, Permit expedition to Belize. Where have you been, how was it, were you successful, did you get plenty of shots? These are a few questions. Placencia seems like the place, and I have been reading up on Tarpum Caye and El Pescador Punta Gorda as options that appear to have a strong Permit focus, with obviously other flats oppertunities (i.e. Bones / Tarpon), has anybody here fished these lodges/ areas, and what is your opinion. Furthermore, for those who have taken or not taken (as the case may be) permit on the fly, what techniques did you employ (stripping the fly/letting it sit) etc. Thanks so much, Dartfish

[JeffR]

Dartfish,

I'll admit from the beginning that I haven't been on a trip expressly for permit...yet. But from what you describe as what you are looking for, the venue I consistently see with good if not great reviews is Blue Horizon Lodge in Belize. It is a basic but very adequate lodge on a small key about 30-60 minutes off the coast of Belize from Dangriga, and very reasonably priced. This area is considered by many to be one of the most if not the most prolific permit fisheries in the world, and is operated by the Westby's who are permit fanatics. The nice thing about being out on the cay is that you are right there - people staying in Placencia or Dangriga have a bit of a boat ride every day. I don't remember off the top of my head who books for Blue Horizon, but for some reason worldwidefishing.com comes to mind as one of them.

A week after permit is at the top of my list of to-do's, so if you make it there I'd love to hear a report. Good luck!

[AlderBrookFarm]

I stayed at El Pescador last April and had a great time. I never saw a permit but one was caught while I was there. It was my understanding from my guides that their sister lodge, EP Punta Gorda, has a better permit fishery. Depends on the time of year as well I'm sure. Go straight to the El Pescador web site, not through a travel agent's site and there's alot more info. The food was great, guides very accomodating, and the rum & beer was good too :-% :-% :-%

[AbFlyFish]

I believe you saw my post here about Placencia.

If you want permit, southern Belize is the place for you. If you are taking your wife, I would recommend Placencia. If not, go to Punta Gorda. I had good success out of Placencia but from everyone I have talked to, Punta Gorda is even better.

I would also recommend contacting Richard French at Belize Flats Fishing. Although I have never fished with him, I have seen him on ESPN and heard a lot of good things about him. I was planning on booking with him last year but there was a mixup with our e-mails. If you need his e-mail, PM me. He fishes/guides all over Belize and he will know the best places to go to target permit only.

Personally, I don't think Southern Belize is very good for bonefish. We caught bonefish out of Placencia but they were small and boring to catch.

[uncle4]

I've not fished Blue Horizon, but a friend (on the pro staff at Thomas & Thomas) reported last spring (March) the permit fishing was fabulous.

I think (in general) the further south you go, the better. I've fished from Dangriga (Jaguar Reef, Tobacco Cay), Placencia (Wippari, Southwater Cay), and Punta Gorda (El Pescador). For a week of fishing per trip, I'd usually see a couple of permit.

If you want to try something out from Left Field: I found a TON of permit at Lighthouse Reef. The only problem there is that the only lodge is a dive lodge, and there's no skiff/guide staff. You could charter a boat out of Cay Caulker, or Turneffe (sometimes). But for unspoiled/unfished beauty, there's nothing like Lighthouse Reef.

As an aside, I just got back from a couple of days permit fishing in Key West (fished with Gil Drake) and had a FABULOUS time. I musta seen a couple of dozen fish (most 10-25#).

Cheers, post pix.

Uncle 4

[wittich]

I stayed at the millers Landing ( 70$ per room ,not per person like most places)
we fished with Egbert Cabrel. We saw a bunch of permit.

[biker]

i am going to blue horizon lodge www.bluehorizonbelize.com tomorrow. a solo trip exclusivley dedicated to hunting permit. no frills at blue horizon, just hardcore fishing. i'll post a report when i get back next week. tight lines, mike