Placencia Belize Fishing Report

[KevinModeraGuides]

Special Hurricane Iris Fishing Report
Kevin Modera Guide Services/Destinations Belize

As some anglers may know, on October 8, 2001, Hurricane Iris hit the Placencia Peninsula in southern Belize with a vengeance. Although Iris definitely caused a lot of damage to homes and businesses, she may make the 2001/2002 winter season a better than normal one in the Placencia/Monkey River/Punta Negra and Punta Ycacos areas.

Right now, the Caribbean is clear, visibility is great, the grouper came in early, the snook and juvenile tarpon have shown up in Monkey River right on time, and we’re seeing lots of bones and permit on the flats.

Winter in Placencia always means good fishing for Black Grouper (Gag) This year, the grouper showed up about two weeks early (mid-November instead of early December). Bottom fishing for Strawberry Groupers (and occasionally Nassau Grouper and big yellowtail snapper) should also be good in January and February.

Monkey River is THE place for snook and juvenile tarpon in the winter months – and this year doesn’t seem to be an exception. Fishing from shore at high tide at the point just north of the Placencia Village dock also offers anglers a chance at both fish.

For the truly adventurous, big (80# plus) tarpon down south in the Deep River are a possibility in December and January, but tent camping is required.

Spinning Gear Recommendations: 12# test line (extra spool of 15# test is recommended); 8-17# test-rated rod; 5500SS Penn (or equivalent) reel; Baitfish Bodies (blue & green mackerel, red & brown pearl), Super Zara Spook (silver mullet, redfish and speckled trout), poppers (blue/green back, clear/black, clear blue, chartreuse colors), Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows (3 1/2-5"), spoons, YoZuri floaters, MirrOlures - Classic Family 52M series (chartreuses and silvers);

Flyfishing Gear Recommendations: Rod/Reel: 9-10 weight; Leader: 9' 14#-20# ; slow-sinking line; minimum 250 yards of 20# backing; additional spool of floating line recommended; 1/0 (juvenile tarpon) and 4/0, Deceivers (orange/yellow/chartreuse and black/white), Whistlers (black/orange, with flash), assorted tarpon flies and poppers (red, black, white, pink and chartreuse), Cockroaches (black and red), Dahlberg Divers, small crab flies

Other good bets this winter are Bonefish (flats), Permit (Punta Ycacos Lagoon and flats), King Mackerel and Barracuda.