Ambergris Caye - advice needed!

[WillH]

Hi Folks

i am visiting Victoria House - Ambergris caye in Belize may 2008.

Can anyone give me some general advice on what kind of fishing to expect?

Can I fish without a guide? Will i need permission or a licence?

Many thanks


Will H

United Kingdom

[Strat]

Small flies (6,8) with weedguards for the bones!

[tightline]

My wife and I spent a week on Ambergris this past March. I went fishing for 1 day with a guide. I ended up catching 1 nice bonefish on the fly, but I probably casted to 250-300 fish.

I caught the bone on a size 8 crazy charlie, brown/white. Definitely stick with size 6 & 8 hooks, and bring an assortment of crazy charlies. I wasn't very impressed with my guide, so I won't throw his name out. If you check with Victoria House, they should be able to recommend some good fishing guides. You don't need a fishing license.

BTW...you're going to like Victoria House. That place is NICE!!!

[gseries69]

I just returned from a week in San Pedro. We fished all over Ambergris. There were not a lot of places you could fish on your own. Most of the flats were muddy bottoms so they had to either be fished from boats or a boat was needed to get to the wadable flats. There are a ton of bones there but they tended to be on the small side 2-5 pounds. We fished for permit as well, which were very challenging. There are some good sized permit around. Our target was tarpon. During our trip the tarpon sightings were very low for that time of year. The guides did mention that there were a good number of tarpon there earlier this spring. I would definitely recommend a guide. This type of fishing is VERY challenging and a good guide will help you find fish and poistion you to have the best chance at catching one.

[bodon]

Stayed in the first place north of Vicoria House last Feb-Mar. I caught a number(39) of bonefish by wading from shore. This was in front of the Academy and beside the bottle dock(where they transfer bottles back to the mainland).It is about a 2 mile walk to the Academy from Victoria House. I've also caught bonefish from piers, the SunBreeze Hotel pier can be super at times. The pier in front of B.C.'s Bar is another that often holds bonefish.

Size 6 &8 are the fly size of choice. I've fished Belize on 4 different occasions and have found that flamingo tan, flamingo orange, gottcha, charteuse clouser as well as a bonefish bitters are the most productive flies for me. I have caught bonefish on some charlies, but these flies are far more productive for me. I forgot to mention that the bamboozle and gold bamboozle are very good flies, they certainly were this past spring. I have been with guides and there are anumber that are very good but I do just as well and often better DIYing. I suggest you use long leaders, I use 12-15 feet most of the time unless the wind is too strong.

Have fished south of Victoria House on 1 occasion only. Dead calm, lost two bonefish(large) only. If you are going after tarpon a guide is required. Don't waste your time fishing around Victoira House, it was poor when I was there.
But you will be at a different part of the calendar and that may make a difference.

I'll be going back in the spring of 2008 for 4 weeks. I know you will enjoy your experience.

Bob O'Donohue

[WillH]

Thanks guys for the info.

Having caught my first Bone in Cuba this year I can see why you guys go crazy for 'em however does anyone know if there will be opportunity to hook up with cudas, snappers or crevalle jack and maybe even snook?

Thanks

Will H

UK

[gseries69]

There are opportunities for all those species. Cuda are every where on the flats but harder to catch then you'd think. The jacks were my favorite "plan B" fish. Typically, we would look for Tarpon early morning, then target permit and finally bones at the end of the day but if we came upon jacks at any time during the day we would fish for them. very strong fish and a lot of fun on the fly rod.

[Simon]

I have fished San Pedo 7 weeks and always use a guide. Some people above have caught from the shore but I havn't seen too many (i.e. 1). The guides are $200-$250 per day.

Jacks are a blast. They spend all day charging around like they are on coke. They zoom in and then out again. They take anything in front of them. They figh to the death too. Just like permit. I've seen Jacks up to 30lbs and caught up to 20lbs on plugs. Live sardines is the ticket though. EVERYTHING EATS SARDINES - INCUDING TARPON. Cudas and spanish mackrel love em too, so take 40lb wire becuase they slice through 60lb mono like a hot knife through butter. The wire doesn't affect takes. make sure you use good hooks. Owner hooks (circle hooks) are the ticket. Just don't strike with circles, just let the line go tight and yank like hell to set the hook.

If you think bones fight ...and they do..hang on to your pants becuase tarpon are nutters.

You won't bother fishing in the UK ever again!

Have a great trip!