Advise(Turneffe island, Belize)

[redfish89]

I am heading out to turneffe island lodge in two weeks. I just wanted to check if anyone out there has been to this lodge. If so, could you give me some advise on your favorite flies, rods, and anything else you can think of.
thanks..

[mandinga]

BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD...


You will have an excellent chance for a grand slam...although rare.

[mandinga]

OK, here is a rundown.


Gear to bring besides flies;
Most important piece of equipment-Nice pair of polarized glasses. DO NOT FORGET, or you will be sorry. All of the fishing is sight fishing...no see=no fish.
Accesories-Sunblock, Bug spray!!!!, light gloves.
rods- 7-10 weights. 7-10 for the bones, permit and cuda...12-14 for Tarpon. Tarpon are generally in the medium sized range(40-80lbs.), but I have seen some large black spots that were well over 100lbs.
Bring rods that will cast well in the wind(fast action), and have a good fighting butt...the wind can really howl at times.

Reels- MUST HAVE LARGE ARBOR WITH A DRAG THAT WONT GET BURNT UP. The first year I hooked a tarpon it was the only fish I caught with that reel, because it melted the drag.
Bring 8-14 weight reels with PLENTY OF BACKING if you go after the permit or tarpon. Bones and cudas dont require as much backing, 7-9 weight reels for those fish. I like going a little light on the bones.

Line-Bring lots. Flourocarbon is like gold down there depending on where you go. bring 6lb-40lb...varying weights.
-If you are going to go for the permit you will have to use lighter line than you think, those fish are ultra spooky, especially when you can see them.
-If you want to go for tarpon YOU MUST HAVE SHOCK TIPPETS PRE-TIED AND PRE-STRETCHED BEFORE YOU GET TO BELIZE. I would recommend going to your local shop and having them show you the bimini knot and how to tie a shock tip. INVALUABLE when you are sight casting to tarpon.
-I always bring braided stainless line that can be tied in knots. The pre-tied steel leaders are quick and cheap, but very bulky and hard to cast. If you want to fish for the barracudas you must have this...I highly recommend the cudas in the lagoons, they will chase almost any fly in front of them. Last year My uncle landed a 5' cuda in front of our condo...they are everywhere down there. You might even lose some nice bones to an attacking cuda.


Species

Bones-lots of bones...IMO best place for medium sized bones. Very spooky. Travel in schools. The flats will have lots of fish for you to cast at, but the atolls and lagoons have some large fish, but they tend to move very fast in the lagoons...making casting to them very difficult. When your guide says "Cast!!!! 4 o'clock" do exactly what he tells you, those guys can see ALL THE FISH...
Flies-Shrimp, crazy charlies(ll colors) rootbear CC's have worked the best for me. pink, yellow, orange...they are super easy to tie.

Permit-Good Luck. I have been to mexico/belize 10 times and have succesfully hooked 5 permits. Get ready for alot of beautiful scenery while looking for that fin...
Flies-crabs....crabs and more LARGE CRABS. I like umpquas crab.

Tarpon- If you time it right there may be lots and lots of tarpon on the flats. I have been there when there were thousands at the docks right in front of the condo...other times we looked for days without seeing ONE FISH. Strip fast and be ready to set the hook HARD! They have a plate in their mouth you have to pierce. SHARPEN YOUR HOOKS. Shock tips are a must...Be patient, these beasts will hammer a fly, but they must be in the correct position. Once you hook one you must palm the reel immedietly, and HOLD ON. The flats have some good sized fish, but the lagoons have some monsters...and some babies.
Flies- All tarpon flies-Black death, Red mamba, flash monkey. I love black and red for tarpon, you cant go wrong with those colors. Also, deceivers and clousers....big ones.


Cudas- Cuda are all over the place down there...they are the local carp. They will hammer a fly, and they fight really good. Make sure you have a pair of LONG pliers...of course you know about the teeth. You will have a hard time landing a cuda without steel leaders. Your flies will get chewed up really quick, but dont worry about changing it...I have caught more fish on flies that looked like a two year old tied than flies that were pieces of art.
Flies-Baitfish imitations...clousers and deceivers...bring lots of sizes...if you see big fish cast BIG flies, small fish...small flies.




good luck, have fun and pray it doesnt rain hard. even if you aren't seeing fish try to remember that you are in paradise!!!!


PM me if you have any questions.

[mandinga]

forgot...bring flats booties for when you dont have a skiff.

And



If you scuba dive get ready for an AWESOME reef.

later

[redfish89]

Chrome mandinga, you are the man!!!! :bowdown: :bowdown: Thanks for all the info. I will post my pics when i return.

[RodRoss]

Besides all of the other equipment mentioned above, DO NOT forget to bring your good buddy, Rod. I know it's your anniversary, but your wife will understand the necessity of a good fishing partner. By the way, besides the normal tarpon flies make sure you take those baitfish imitations we used in Baja. One of them was the first fly the guide picked out of the box resulting in...well you've heard the story before.

RodRoss

PS - Don't forget the bottle opener for the Belikin beer and bring me back some Marie Sharp's habenero sauce!

[redfish89]

Great advise, from a great guy. Thanks rodross :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

[clacksteel]

Have a great time! Hope you catch lots of fish!

Justin