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Southern Belize Fishing Locations:
Dangriga to Sapodilla Cayes
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Following are descriptions of the primary southern
Belize fishing locations south of the Southwater Marine Reserve.
 Glover's
Reef is about 70 miles southeast of Belize City and due east from Dangriga (about 2.5
hours from Placencia by boat). It encompasses an area of approximately 90 square
miles.
The atoll was named for the pirate, John Glover, and old pirate graves are said
to be on North East Caye.
Glover's Reef remains one of the most remote and unexplored areas of
Belize. Some marine biologist believe it may be the most pristine atoll system in
the Caribbean.
All cayes except North East Caye have been zoned conservation areas, and Middle
Caye is a designated wilderness. Fishing within the Reserve is catch and release,
and is primarily trolling and spinning for Black- and Yellow- fin Tuna, King Mackerel,
Barracuda, Jack Crevalle, Grouper and Snapper (the reef is an important breeding ground
for grouper and snapper).
Area
coral flats also offer opportunities for bonefish and permit.
In addition, lobster is usually plentiful not far off Northeast Caye
(in-season, of course - June 16 through February 14 is lobster season).
See the Official Glover's Reef Atoll
Marine Reserve Chart for locations of conservation, wilderness and seasonal closure
areas.
Glover's Reef Marine
Reserve Regulations
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No spear fishing |
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No use of fish traps, nets or long lines |
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No anchoring on reef. Boats must use
moorings where available. |
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No collection or damage of any flora or fauna inside
the Reserve. |
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No dumping of any garbage, including bilge and
sewage water. |
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No defacing, damage or removal of any signs, markers
or buoys. |
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A fishing license is required for
non-Belizeans and may be obtained at Middle Caye inside the
Reserve. Cost is US$25. |
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Divers must show C-cards and attend a 2-3
minute briefing on Reserve rules and regulations. |
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Anglers may keep fish caught outside the Reserve.
Because of the distance of Glover's Reef from the Belize mainland, only
overnight fishing trips are feasible.
Rudimentary accommodations are available at Glover's Reef Resort on North East Caye.
Glover's Reef Resort offers very basic cabana accommodations (no running water or indoor
toilets). Tent camping is also available, as is a meal plan.
Inexpensive. (However, in addition to the cost of lodging, non-Belizeans visitors
must pay a Glover's Reef usage fee of $5 BZD per night, or $20 BZD per week. Fees
are collected by the lodging facility.)
Fishing can also be combined with some of the best diving in Belize.
Glover's Reef Resort
offers scuba diving and scuba diving instruction.
See our Glover's Pictures Page for additional
pictures.
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 Inner channel flats are located well
within a day's fishing range from Placencia Village. Flats are sand or coral bottomed, good for wading. Water is
generally clear, with good visibility. Tarpon may also be found around mangrove
cayes. Watch for pelicans diving and feeding, indicating quantities of batifish, and
usually jack and tarpon.
Additional Information: Species guide for
permit
and bonefish, gear and
tackle guide; accommodations for Placencia Village, Placencia Peninsula resorts and Southern
Cayes, Fishing Calendar; and
Custom Vacations.
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This area off the coast from around Dangriga Town
south to Gladden Caye is well-known for its permit flats - plus several
cayes offering a range of lodging from very basic (Tobacco Caye) to
air-conditioned cabanas overlooking the Reef (Southwater Caye).
In addition to permit, the area also offers good
opportunities for bonefish and tarpon, plus a variety of reef fish,
including Barracuda, snappers and jacks, and the occasional tuna.
Fishing can either be out of Placencia or from
cayes lodging. See our information on Placencia
Village Lodging, Placencia Resorts and
Southern Belize Cayes Lodging for more
information. |
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Lots of good
fishing for a wide variety of species in the Inner Channel (between the reef and the
mainland). Most species are year-round, but check our Fishing Calendar for prime fishing times for various species.
The best fishing locations will vary depending on season, weather and
tides. However, following is information on areas that consistently perform well for
specific species.
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Tarpum Caye: lots of baitfish usually in area - look
for quantities of tarpon, jacks and snapper |
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Moho Caye: jacks, tarpon, Yellowtail Snapper,
King Mackerel, barracuda and bonefish |
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Ranguana Caye: bonefish, barracuda, snapper,
Crevalle Jack |
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Ranguana Caye to Pumpkin Caye: grouper, tuna,
Wahoo |
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Ranguana Caye to Gladden Spit: tuna, bonito,
jacks, King Mackerel, marlin and barracuda |
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Gladden Caye: bonefish |
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 A veritable
"feast of fish" awaits anglers outside the reef: Yellowtail Snapper,
Nassau and Red Grouper, Black, Yellow and Tiger Grouper, Barracuda, King Mackerel, Wahoo,
Serra Spanish Mackerel, Cubera Snapper, Mutton Snapper, Black- and Yellow- fin Tuna,
Skipjack Tuna, - - and marlin, sailfish and Dorado from Glover's Reef Atoll to the
Ranguana Entrance.You won't find flying bridges or "hi-tech"
blue water sport fishing in Placencia, but you will find fish, and in good quantities.
Additional Information: Species guide for grouper,
snapper, mackerel,
barracuda, jack,
yellowfin tuna, Skipjack
tuna, blackfin tuna, Wahoo, blue
marlin, Dorado and sailfish; gear and
tackle guide; accommodations for Placencia Village, Placencia Peninsula resorts and Southern
Cayes, Fishing Calendar; Fishing
Reports; General Fishing Trip Information,
Rates and Custom Vacations. |
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 Snook,
tarpon, jack and machaka (a local species) are the primary targets in the Monkey
River and Placencia Lagoon areas. Fishing in both locations is best very early
in the morning and late evening. Winter months are prime fishing seasons in both
locations.The Lagoon runs the length of the Peninsula (about 12 miles)
separating it from the mainland. Monkey River is about 1/2
hour from Placencia by boat.
Additional Information: Species guide for jack, tarpon and
snook; gear and tackle
guide; accommodations for Placencia Village, Fishing Reports; General
Fishing Trip Information, Rates and
Custom
Vacations. |
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  Punta Ycacos Lagoon is for the serious permit angler, and
the tarpon can be pretty good (and big) beginning in December through February - -
especially in the Deep River, just south of Punta Ycacos. The
Lagoon can only be reached by water and is located about an hour and a half south of
Placencia Village. Punta Ycacos can also be difficult to reach in rough
weather. Therefore, we recommend camping in the area for the best
multiple dayfishing experience at Punta Ycacos. Camping is in tents only, no facilities.
Additional Information: Species guide for permit and tarpon; gear and tackle guide;
camping information, Fishing
Reports; General Fishing Trip Information,
Rates and Custom Vacations. |
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| Permit and bonefish are bountiful in these waters, and anglers will enjoy the
opportunity to fish the many small cayes in the Sapodilla complex (North East Sapodilla
Caye, Frank's Caye, Nicholas Caye, Hunting Caye, Seal Cayes, Tom Owen's Caye, Black Rock,
Red Rock and North Spot). Good-sized barracuda can also be caught on
spinning rods around the reefs.
Additional Information: Species guide for barracuda, permit
and bonefish; gear
and tackle guide; camping information, Fishing Reports; General
Fishing Trip Information, Rates and
Custom
Vacations. |
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