Casting For Permit In Belize: A Comprehensive Guide

Fly fishing for permit in Belize is a challenging yet rewarding experience for anglers. With its pristine saltwater flats and healthy reef system, Belize offers numerous opportunities to cast for the elusive permit, a tough saltwater quarry that is prized by fly fishers. The country's northern location in Central America, just south of Mexico and east of Guatemala, makes it an ideal destination for anglers looking to test their skills against this wary and suspicious fish.

Belize's tropical climate and abundant permit population make it a prime location for fly fishing enthusiasts. The shallow waters of its Caribbean coast provide the perfect habitat for permit, with plenty of prey and easy access to deeper waters for safety. The country's catch-and-release law for permit, implemented in 2008, has also contributed to the healthy population of this sought-after game fish.

Anglers should come prepared with quality gear, including a 9 or 10-weight saltwater fly rod, a dependable floating saltwater fly line, and fluorocarbon leaders and tippets. Crab and shrimp patterns are the go-to flies for permit, as their diet consists mainly of crustaceans. Casting accuracy and a stealthy approach are crucial, as permit are easily spooked and have incredible eyesight.

Whether you're a seasoned angler or a novice, fly fishing for permit in Belize promises an exhilarating and unforgettable experience. With its stunning natural surroundings and abundant wildlife, both on land and in the sea, Belize offers a unique and captivating setting for your next fishing adventure.

Choosing the right flies

Understanding Permit Feeding Habits

Permit primarily feed on crabs and shrimp, so it is important to choose flies that mimic these crustaceans. Crab flies and shrimp patterns are the most effective for permit fishing. When selecting crab flies, look for ones that move naturally in the water, as crabs tend to hide and bury themselves rather than flee from predators. Shrimp patterns should be versatile and impressionistic, resembling the prey without being exact replicas.

Recommended Crab Flies

• Bauer Crab Fly: This fly is considered a must-have for fishing in Southern Belize. It comes in olive and tan variations, with the tan version being more productive in the South Water Marine Reserve and the olive variation excelling in the far southern reaches of Belize. The thick body and rubber legs give it a lifelike crab-like appearance, and it is best fished with minimal movement. Recommended sizes include 4, 6, and 8.
• Camo Crab Fly: This fly imitates the small, multicoloured crabs found in Belize, ranging from dark green to near white. It is effective in sizes smaller than a quarter, as larger crab patterns may appear unnatural to the permit.
• EP Crab Fly: This fly features lead eyes that help it reach the depth of the fish. It is activated by stripping the rubber legs, creating a slow-moving fly that mimics the behaviour of crabs.
• Raghead Crab: This fly is recommended in size 4 and is typically tied in tan with white legs.
• Contraband Crab: A modernised version of the Bauer Crab, this fly is not as heavy and lands softly in shallow waters without creating excess splashing.
• Aphlexo Crab: Originally created for parrot and triggerfish, this fly has become a productive permit fly.

Recommended Shrimp Flies

• Mantis Shrimp Fly: This fly features long rubber legs that create a lot of movement, and it works best with a slow retrieve. The bead chain eyes make it suitable for shallower water along reef edges. It can be cast close to tailing permit without spooking them and is also effective for bonefish.
• SS Merkin Crab: Del Brown's pattern is specifically designed for permit and has accounted for numerous catches. It is recommended in sizes 4 and 6.
• EP Spawning Shrimp: A must-have fly for Northern Belize, this pattern can be fished in deep water, shallow flats, or left alone. It comes in tan/orange and is recommended in sizes 6 and 8.
• Avalon: Another effective shrimp imitation, the Avalon features lead eyes and long legs, giving it plenty of action in the water. It is recommended in sizes 4 and 6 and is ideal for deep water.
• Peterson's Spawning Shrimp: A versatile shrimp pattern in tan with orange rubber legs.
• Hot Legs Gotcha: A versatile shrimp pattern that can be used for permit fishing.

Additional Considerations

When choosing flies for permit fishing in Belize, it is important to consider the specific area you will be fishing and the conditions you will encounter. The behaviour of permit can vary between different fisheries and flats, so it is advisable to consult local guides and lodges for their recommendations. Additionally, ensure you have a variety of fly sizes and weights to accommodate different water depths and conditions. Finally, remember that presentation and technique are just as important as the fly itself, so practice your casting and retrieval techniques to increase your chances of success.

Casting techniques

• Casting Accuracy: Accurate casting is crucial for success. When casting, aim just in front of the permit, avoiding casting too far or too close, which can spook the fish. Ensure your cast unfolds just above the water, avoiding a loud slap on the surface. This is easier when casting downwind than into the wind.
• Casting Distance: Permit are easily spooked, so it's important to maintain a sufficient distance. When fishing from a boat, cast from 65 feet or further to avoid alerting the permit to your presence. When wading, you can get closer, but be cautious not to make too much noise or disturb the water.
• Casting Lead: The amount of lead, or distance ahead of the permit, depends on the situation. For larger schools of permit, a longer lead of 6 to 10 feet is recommended. For bigger singles or small groups in windy and deep conditions, a shorter lead of 1 to 3 feet is preferable.
• Casting Presentation: Think like the prey when presenting your fly. Crabs and shrimp, the primary food sources for permit, don't move much until they are spooked. Let your fly drop with a long strip, then give it a faster strip to mimic prey realising it's about to be lunch.
• Strip-Setting: When a permit takes the fly, perform a strip-set by stripping the line to drive the hook into the fish's tough mouth. Avoid lifting the rod, as this is more typical for trout fishing and can result in pulling the fly out of the permit's mouth.
• False Casting: Avoid excessive false casting, as it can give away your position to the permit, especially on calm, clear days.
• Double-Haul Cast: Practice the double-haul cast, a valuable skill for permit fishing. It adds distance and helps cut through the wind, which is often present on the flats.
• Practice and Versatility: Time on the water is the best teacher. Practice your casting skills and develop versatility to adapt to the unpredictable nature of permit and varying conditions.

Reading the permit

Understanding Permit Behaviour

Permit are known for their elusive nature and are considered one of the most difficult fish to catch in freshwater or saltwater. They possess keen senses, including excellent eyesight, hearing, and a strong sense of smell. As a result, they can be easily spooked by noise, movement, or vibration. They are also known for their moody and suspicious behaviour, sometimes ignoring lures and flies even when cast close to them. When solitary, they tend to cruise shallow flats slowly in search of crabs and crustaceans, often with their dorsal fins breaking the water's surface. In schools, they become more aggressive and may even attack waders.

Habitat and Feeding Patterns

Permit are usually found in shallow, tropical waters such as mudflats, channels, and muddy bottoms. They are commonly found along the Atlantic Coast of the US, from Massachusetts down to Brazil, including the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, and Belize. They spawn offshore, but their young are often found in the surf zone where small invertebrates are abundant. Permit feed primarily on crustaceans, especially crabs and shrimp. They cruise at a higher level in the water column and then tip down to grab food from the bottom. This behaviour is important to replicate when presenting flies to permit.

Presenting Flies to Permit

When spotting a permit feeding on the flats, your initial strategy should be similar to targeting bonefish. You want to lead the fish with your cast without spooking it. However, don't lead the fish too far, as you want them to be able to see or hear your fly hitting the water. When imitating crabs, which are the permit's main food source, it's crucial to mimic their behaviour accurately. If a permit approaches your fly, resist the urge to move it. Crabs tend to stop moving when they sense a predator, so your fly should do the same. If the permit doesn't show interest, employ an active approach by slowly stripping the fly to imitate a crab going about its normal business. Remember to keep your strips long and slow, as crabs crawl slowly along the bottom.

Gear and rigs

When it comes to gear and rigs, there are several key components to consider for a successful permit fishing trip in Belize. Here's a detailed guide to help you prepare:

• Rods and Reels: For permit fishing in Belize, it is recommended to use a saltwater fly rod with a weight of at least 8. A 9 or 10-weight rod is even better and will increase your chances of landing larger permit. A fast-action rod loaded with a dependable floating saltwater fly line is essential. Don't skimp on the reel—opt for a quality saltwater reel loaded with at least 200 yards of 30-pound backing.
• Leaders and Tippet: Fluorocarbon leaders and tippet are crucial for success in the clear waters of Belize. Start with a 9 or 10-foot fluorocarbon leader, then add 4-5 feet of 16 or 12-pound fluorocarbon tippet for a total leader length of 13-14 feet.
• Flies: Permit primarily feed on crabs, shrimp, crustaceans, and mollusks. Your fly selection should focus on crab and shrimp patterns in sizes 2-6. Some recommended fly patterns include the Strong Arm Crab, Avalon Permit Fly, Raghead Crab, Bauer Crab, and Veverka Mantis Shrimp. It is advised to communicate with your lodge for specific recommendations.
• Additional Gear: A good pair of polarized sunglasses with amber or brown lenses is essential for spotting fish. Other necessary items include wading boots, a light rain jacket, a hat, sun lotion, and a fishing license if required.
• Spin Fishing: If you prefer spin fishing, a 7'0" to 7'6" rod is ideal for balancing sensitivity and strength when battling larger permit. Use a quality spinning reel that can hold at least 200 yards of 10-pound monofilament line. Live bait such as crabs or shrimp, jig heads, and bucktail jigs are effective for spin fishing.
• Fly Rods and Reels: For fly fishing, a 9-weight rod is ideal for permit fishing in Belize. An 8-weight rod can be used in a pinch, but it may be too light in strong winds or when casting at longer distances. A 10-weight rod that doubles for tarpon is an option, but it may tire you out faster when casting to multiple permit.
• Fly Lines and Leaders: A weight forward floating line is ideal for stalking and sight fishing on the flats. An intermediate sinking line is also useful for casting to laid-up fish or cruising pairs along the mangroves. Most guides recommend a 9-12 foot leader of 15-20-pound fluorocarbon with 15-pound tippet.
• Wading Boots: When wading the flats, firm-soled wading boots are essential to protect your feet from the sharp coral and rocks.
• Other Considerations: Practice your casting skills, especially the double-haul cast, to improve your chances of success. Permit are easily spooked, so approach quietly and avoid casting too close or too hard.

Where to find permit

The permit, a type of fish, is considered by fly fishers as one of the most challenging inshore saltwater quarries. They are prized for their elusiveness and are very difficult to catch, even in Belize, where the population is strong.

Belize is a great place to find and catch permit. The country is located south of Mexico and east of Guatemala in northern Central America. It has a rich history in inshore and flats fly fishing. There are plenty of lodges along the country's Caribbean coast, many of which have their own local permit fishery. The shallow waters of coastal Belize provide an ideal habitat and an abundant prey base for permit.

One such lodge is the Blue Bonefish Lodge in San Pedro on Ambergris Cay. Here, anglers can enjoy excellent opportunities for permit fishing, as well as comfortable accommodations and wonderful hospitality.

To increase your chances of finding permit in Belize, it is recommended to look for stingrays, as permit often follow them across the flats in search of food. Additionally, permit tend to ride high in the water column to get a better view of the bottom, so look farther out than you might think. Keep an eye out for their sickle-shaped fins and reflections of sunlight off their fins.

Having a good guide can also greatly improve your chances of finding permit. They can spot fish from hundreds of yards away and position the boat for the angler to make a good cast.

Frequently asked questions