Equipment designed for saltwater use will last forever
Our guides can provide all of the equipment necessary for your trip, however, if you decide to purchase/bring your own, here is a usefull checklist for you.
FLY RODS Fly Rods for Belize will vary by species and conditions. We have used fly fods from 6 weight up to 12 weight. This does not mean that you have to invest thousands of dollars on new rods. Most of our Bonefish can be cast to and fought with a 7 or 8 weight rod. A seven weight will lay down a fly softly, and not spook as many fish, while an 8 weight will cast bigger flies into the wind. Since Permit grow larger and require heavier flies, we recommend a 9 or 10 weight rod. Permit flies are heavier and need backbone to deliver them. Once hooked, you will need a good butt section to turn these determined fish. Our Tarpon can be caught with 10-12 weight rods. If you are planning a Tarpon trip in the spring, you will want the 12 weight to handle the bruisers. Resident fish are a lot of fun on 10 weights, and they do not take all day to bring in.
Clear lines have their place in the tropics
Fly rod action should be considered when preparing for your trip. Most saltwater fly rods are of medium to fast action and are made of graphite or a blend of high end materials. This is highly suitable for our fish. Most casts are between 40 and 60 feet from the boat, and 30 and 50 feet while wading. A nine foot rod that loads properly with this amount of line will be perfect. Remember: a rods action can be dramatically changed by over or under-lining it. We recommend experimenting with this phenomenon on the lawn before arriving. Quality components such as anodized reel seat and guides will protect your investment from the harsh elements. We recommend a multi-piece rod to accomodate airline requirements.
Good drag systems are a must on the flats
FLY REELS Fly reels with a quality drag system are a must for any saltwater flats species. Do not underestimate the speed of even small fish. If there is one piece of equipment that demands the highest quality, it is the reel. All of our fish smoke drags, and the last thing you want when you hook a fish of a lifetime is to have a reel fail while doing battle. When hooked, these fish will scream your drag on their way to the safety of deep water. THINGS TO LOOK FOR: quality sealed drag that has finite adjustments for tippet protection, a good saltwater finishing process such as type I or II anodizing, a large handle, a quality real seat that will not break off (yes, break off). Sealed drag systems have their place in saltwater for obvious reasons, but many non-sealed setups are great too. Your reel will get wet or even submerged while fishing here, we have seen too many reels fail because of unchecked debris inside the drag system. Open and clean your reel after each day of fishing, you will be happy you did. We have had great success with reels from Tibor, Ross, and Nautilus, just to name a few.
Two of our favorite models...tried, tested, and true.
Reels for Bonefish tend to be smaller, so pack them with minumum 200 yards of #20 dacron. Permit, Tarpon and bluewater reels should be packed with 250 yards or more of #30 backing. We do not recommend using gel-spun materials on fly reels as they can do damage if not rigged properly. Loop-to-loop connections are helpful if you plan to interchange your lines.
