Belize is tropical and rather moderate year-round.

The temperature is rarely much below 70 or above 90. Tropical rainstorms are not infrequent during some times of the year. Our two locations at Monkey River and Seal Caye are fishing/Eco lodges, so needless to say it is informal. We are remote, however, and you want to bring everything you might need for your stay. You can’t run down to the corner store and supplement your gear.

Belize is English speaking and the Belize dollar ($BZ) is pegged to the US dollar. One US$ = 2 BZ$. US currency is accepted everywhere in the country. You will not need to change any money unless you are going to spend time in Belize City and want $BZ for convenience. At Monkey River and Seal Caye, we prefer cash (US or Belize dollars), but we can accept a personal check.

You are welcome to bring a laptop computer or other radio or personal electronic gear. (Although with all the fishing, you may not have time to use any of it.) The mainland lodge at Monkey River Retreat uses 110v AC current, and outlets are available. There is wireless internet access at Monkey River. We use solar DC at Seal Caye and there is no way to recharge cameras or other personal items there.

Clothing and Personal Gear

You should bring lightweight shirts, shorts, pants, sandals, wading shoes (if you use them), fishing hats, rain jacket, and lots of sun block. Long sleeve shirts tropical type fishing shirts with collars are recommended to help protect you from the sun. Don’t forget polarized sunglasses, personal bath articles, and any prescription or over-the-counter medicines that you might need. You will probably want your camera and your mask and fins. You know you will want to check out the reef at some point from the fish’s perspective.

Fishing Gear

We will let you know when you make your reservation if there are any specific recommendations on gear, flies, or lures that are hot at the time and can answer any questions that you have. Please let us know what you are particularly interested in and we will get you the information you need. Below are some general suggestions on fishing gear and flies and lures. Each boat is equipped with some trolling equipment to take advantage of situations that you might bump into while light tackle or fly-fishing.

Fly Fishing Gear

Certainly you should bring rods and gear that you prefer for Bones, Tarpon and Permit. It is a matter of personal preference and conditions. Generally speaking, you will be looking at rods in the 7-9 wt. Range for Bonefish, 9-10 wt. for Permit, and 10-12 weights for Tarpon. You will need floating line for the Bone and Permit, and floating and sinking (or intermediate) for the Tarpon and reef fish. Good saltwater reels and plenty of backing are important. Bring appropriate leader, tippet, and shock leader material and a few wire leaders for barracuda and other toothy fish if you wish. You will find that 10 lb. leader is about right for the Bonefish and 10-15 lb. fluorocarbon will be a good choice for the Permit.

Bonefish Flies: Most of the patterns popular in the rest of the Caribbean will work, but the smaller sizes are more effective. A standard size seems to be #6, but you may want some #8 and you want some #4’s for deeper water and larger fish. Some should be weighted and some lightly weighted. Generally you will try to match the bottom colors in the pattern. Green, brown, tan, pink are all productive. Some standard selections might be a Crazy Charlie or Bearded Charlie, Snapping Shrimp, or smaller crab patterns.

Permit Flies: Most of the Permit patterns from the Florida Keys and the Caribbean will work. Crab patterns like the Bauer Crab, Turneffe Crab, the transparent Crab, and the Merkin Crab are good starting points. #6 to #2 is about the right size.

Tarpon Flies: Some of the river waters are dark, and you will be casting to rolling fish. The flats and channels are clear and shallow. It pays to bring a selection of darker and brighter Tarpon flies in the 2/0 to 4/0 in tested patterns. Here are some broad suggestions. Apte Tarpon, Sea Bunnys, Lefty’s Deceiver, and Cockroach are all good selections.

Other Flies: Some Clousers and white shrimp patterns will be handy for the snook. And some long, flashy barracuda flies in orange and white will come in handy.

Spincasting Gear

You should bring the rods and gear you feel most comfortable with for Bones, Permit and Tarpon. A light to medium action 7 foot spinning rod will be about right for the Bone Fish and the Permit. A good drag is important. You may want spools of 10-14# line, at least 200 yards. For the Tarpon you will want a heavier action rod with some backbone that can set the hook and handle 15-20 lb. line. This rod will be real handy on the reef for trolling for barracuda and other reef fish.

Bonefish Lures: Small jigs and plastic baits are good choices. Spin Charlies, Wiggle Jigs, and 1/8 oz. Jigs with 2-1/4 inch Mister Twister type plastic worms are good examples. White, yellow, chartreuse, pink, smoke and glitter are productive colors.

Permit Lures: The same lures mentioned for Bonefish, jigs and plastic baits in slightly larger sizes will do well for the Permit. Any of the crab imitations in the right size will work. Color is important, and a variety of sand, tan, green, pink and white is good to have on hand. Live crabs are one of the best ways to take a Permit. You will need #1 or #2 bait hook and 1/8 to ¼ oz slip sinker with a small swivel.

Tarpon Lures: Generally ½ to 1 oz. lures or jigs that are 3 to 5 inches long are in the right neighborhood. A variety of lures that cover different depths can be important. Some specific examples are the Rebel Jumping Minnow, Spook, Rapala CD or Bomber, Mirrolures. Jigs either as bucktails or with sassy shad plastics can be effective in the 1 to 1 ½ oz. sizes. Silver, red and white, silver and black, chartreuse are all good colors.

Other Lures: Jigs for the reef (white bucktails or plastic tails) are always a good idea, and some metal lures, (Hopkins or Kastmaster) in the larger sizes for trolling for barracuda will be helpful. In the smaller sizes they will work well for bonito and mackerel.

Belize is tropical and the climate is comfortable year-round. But you must bring everything that you will need for your stay at our lodge; there is no opportunity to shop. Bring your mask, fins, sun-block and see the suggestions for suggested tackle to bring.