How do you rate a fishing trip? Well, I'd say any trip involving fishing is great. If you break it down, you need (1) exotic location that's easy to get to, (2) target species that you can't catch in home waters, (3) great accommodations, food, and bev, (4) a guide who has the right temperment, knows where the fish are, and puts you in a position to get a shot, (5) seeing fish, (6) shots at fish, (7) hooking fish, (8) landing same
Oh, and most important is traveling with great friends who are as excited about fishing as you are.
So where to go ... Belize of course. Once again we headed to the little Caribbean country in search of bonefish, permit, and tarpon. Joining us on this advernture was long time friend, former squadorn mate, and avid angler Curt Toomer.
We flew into Belize City Thursday morning, and hopped on a puddle jumper for the 15 minute flight to San Pedro. We stayed at Mahogany Bay Resort, a Hilton property a short taxi drive south. The place has everything you need; very comfortable quarters, great restaurants and bars, access to a private beach, and a flyshop on the premises operated by Blue Bonefish, who guided us for two of the three days we were there.
I had done a little research, and most of the sights said July was the best month to get the slam. I supose that's because there's very little pressure on the fish (I mean, who goes to the Caribbean in the summer?). On the other hand, it's the wet season, and there's a good chance you'll be fishing in less than perfect weather. Which we did.
The plan was to do two days of guided fishing, and one day DIYing it on the private beach. Friday morning we were rigged up and met our Blue Bonefish guide Dayan at the resorts boat launch. We've been fortunate to have had some great guides in Belize. And Dyan proved to be one of the best. You knew the guy was excited about fishing. But he knew who he had in the boat, put us on fish without the pressure, and gave us some casting tips that helped immensely.
Of the three species we were going after, tarpon and permit are the toughest. And, while not particulalry large, the bonefish are plentiful. So this day was focused on feeling the tug. Dayan took us off to some flats to find some bigger bones, which we did. And got some decent shots, but no hookups. So Dayan motored us back closer to San Pedro, to a spot that could only be characterized as a bonefish petting zoo. For the last three hours of the charter, and in the midst of passing thunderstorms, we landed well over 20 bonefish feeding on the bottom. While it wasn't exactly sight fishing, if you see mud, you cast into it, and a few short strips later you're more than likely hooked up. We fished 8 weights with floating lines, 10lb tippet, and Crazy Charlie flies.
Having got the numbers out of us, we spent day two looking for tarpon and permit. Dayan took us north about 50 minutes north to Bacalar Chico national park and marine reserve. Dayan spotted a school of permit soon after getting to the area, but they spooked, so he continued to a spot where tarpon had been rolling a few days before. We saw Frigate Birds crushing bait right off the shoreline, and not long after Dayan spotted tarpon rolling, so the game was on. The next few hours we cast and cast and cast and .... We saw plenty of fish, got some really great shots, and had a few follows. But no hookups.
The tarpon sightings slowing, Dayan called the audible and we headed back to the spot where he'd seen permit. For the next several hours we chased multiple schools of fish. Again, Dayan put us in great position to get shots. Casting a 9 weight 80 feet in breezy conditions proved quite challenging. But we still managed to get flies on the fish, enjoyed some follows, and even a couple of hits. But again, no permit to the boat.
Day last was DIY fishing at the resort's private beach. On the ride over our boat captain Guermo recommended we head north up the beach. Joe immediately picked up a nice bonefish about 40 feet off the pier. After a few more casts we waded up the beach. We only has a few hours to fish, and managed some mangrove snapper and a few barracuda as we waded along. Unfortunately, no bonefish sighted. Wading back to the resort beach (and some cold Belikins at the bar), I spotted gray shapes moving through the water right in front of me. Had to be bonefish. And they were close, within 10-15 feet. I motioned to Curt to cast right in front of him, and on the first cast he was on, a nice 15 incher. Joe caught the tail end of the school and hooked another. The section of beach was half-moon shaped, with coral outcropping at the upper end. As I neared the coral I saw the that school was turning back, got a quick shot off, and landed another bone.
After a few beers at the beach bar, it was back to the resort, then hopping into our golf cart for the drive into San Predo to enjoy some of the local culture and food.
All in all a great trip. Not quite legendary, since we missed out on two of the three species. But using my criteria, the trip graded out at an 85.2%.
Hell, that'll get you an A at Harvard.
Tight Lines,
Mikey D Fishing
