Iguana Reef Inn - Caye Caulker, Belize

Anglers worldwide have recognized the Caribbean and Central America as a world-class fishing destintion, which includes Belize. Belize offers great diversity year-round which sets it apart from many other destinations. Such diversity includes permit, bonefish and tarpon in the shallow and deeper flats surrounding many of the cayes; snapper, grouper and barracuda in the calmer waters inside the nearby barrier reef; and larger species ling kingfish, marlin and wahoo in the open sea beyond the barrier reef.

Most popular species found on the flats are plentiful year-round. Bonefish range from 3-8 pounds and are found on most shallow flats surrounding Caye Caulker and the other offshore cayes. Just off the beach at the Iguana Reef Inn you often see schools of bonefish which you can catch right from the shore, especially when the local lobster fishermen are cleaning their catch. Even bonefish have an appreciation for lobster. Permit average 10+ pounds and are generally found in deeper flats. Tarpon range from 20 pounds to 150 pounds and are also found in deeper water flats. Checkout our selection of photos for some impressive permit and tarpon caught by our guests over the years.

Throughout the year Belize hosts a number of fishing tournaments, generally during the most productive months for offshore fishing. In a billfish tournament in February 1997 a 492-pound blue marlin was the winner. Also, the many rivers winding through the Belize mainland offer fishing for snook, snapper and tarpon to name a few.

Caye Caulker, sitting practically on top of the barrier reef, provides easy access to all fishing. Whether you're interested in fly-fishing the flats or open water fishing around the barrier reef or deep-sea fishing "the blue", the Iguana Reef Inn will set you up with local fishing guides on Caye Caulker. In the various photos you'll see one of the local guides, Porfilio Guzman (a.k.a., Piggy), holding up prize catches for a photo. Piggy's specialty is fly fishing and light spinning the flats. He's been fishing these waters for over 20 years and knows the area as well as any local guide.

While most guides provide equipment it is recommended that you bring your own gear if possible. Shops that carry fishing equipment are few and far between so it is best if you're coming down to fish to be prepared. Our resident expert and frequent guest at the Iguana Reef Inn, Jack Blake, has put together an information page on fly fishing and light spinning gear. Jack, an avid fly fisherman, has been coming down since 1999 and fishes from sunrise to sunset while he's here. Click here ... Jack's Tips ... for his report.

Of course you can always just drop a line in the water off the end of a pier. There is a good chance that you'll catch something. The waters surrounding the caye are shallow so you are likely to see bonefish.

Below is a brief list of species and the best months of the year for fishing ...

• Bone Fish ... Year-round
• King Mackerel ... Year-round but April-June are best months
• Sailfish ... Spring is best
• Grouper ... December, January and February are best months
• Barracuda ... Year-round
• Tarpon ... Year-round but May-June are best months
• Marlin ... Year-round
• Wahoo ... Winter is best
• Snapper ... Year-round