Welcome to Belize

Location, Type of Fishing:

Situated on the beautiful, white-sand shores of Ambergris Caye with extraordinary views the Caribbean, El Pescador Resort has built a solid reputation as the hotbed for fly fishing in Northern Belize with it’s unlimited access to more than 200 square miles of superb flats fishing. Arguably, one the most recognized fishing lodges in all of Belize, they have over forty-plus years of experience in fly fishing and hospitality. El Pescador combines the best local guides with an outstanding hotel staff, making it the ideal choice for anglers seeking first-rate accommodations in a completely magically setting. Rich and active with a marine environment full of life, it is at the same time quite expansive with a huge fishing area to search and explore. Prolific bonefish and permit waters are just minutes away from the resort. There are excellent grand slam prospects as well with numerous schools of tarpon found on flats and channels just a short boat ride from the lodge. Located just a couple miles north of San Pedro, El Pescador offers easy access to all of the restaurants, shopping and activities of the town. Guests can feel secure in stepping off the property at their leisure, knowing that all roads return to a safe and secluded place, away from all tourism of the island. In addition to some of the world’s best fly fishing, many fun and exciting activities are available for non-anglers making it remarkably couples and family-friendly. Let El Pescador Resort show you why they have the finest fly fishing, hospitality and guides in all of Belize.

 

• Season: Year-round
• Species: Permit, Bonefish, Tarpon, Snook and Barracuda
• Rods: 7-12 wt. Saltwater, Fast-action
• Rates: 7 night/ 6 days fishing $4,310.00

 

 

 

 

 

What Makes It Special:

The ultimate grand slam destination in Belize, El Pescador Resort provides year round shots for inshore gamefish on the fly. The shallow waters expanding from the island are a lot like the flats of South Florida with a fishing area that is similarly quite large. While pressure remains surprisingly light, catching is by no means a sure thing as the fly fishing is still considered somewhat challenging. Hooking up with your quarry is certainly quite doable, though it does favor the angler who can stick with it and consistently deliver good casts in front of the fish. Luckily, you won’t be alone in this endeavor as there is excellent help available to you with some of the most experienced guides in the business. Their knowledge of the fishery comes from many years of studying these fish and their behavior. Local to the island, many have been with the lodge for more than 20 years. Expert fishermen in their own right, anyone of them would be happy to assist with any level of instruction. In addition to the finest, world-class fly fishing in Belize, guests of El Pescador very much enjoy their time spent off the water too. A serene and comfortable atmosphere in which to both relax and unwind, it would be nothing if not for the incredible environment and natural resources in which it finds itself. Recognizing the importance of responsible sustainable-use, El Pescador is committed to achieving balanced ecotourism by pledging donations on behalf of their guests to a local non-profit dedicated to the protection and conservation of the marine environment. In keeping with their beliefs, these donations promote the rational and sustainable use of the ecosystem that is essential to the long-term health of this wonderfully diverse fishery in Northern Belize.

 

 

Fishing:

What makes this fishery so rewarding is the challenge of sticking big fish in skinny water. There is no bad time to visit El Pescador Resort, as the fishing averages good to great 12 months out of the year. Just minutes away from the lodge, you will be treated to plentiful schools of small to medium-sized bonefish. Not far from these same flats, you are likely to encounter large permit, some up to 30 lbs, cruising in schools of several fish. More spread throughout the fishery, you are likely to see permit in deeper water not far from channels that typically hold tarpon. Large tarpon swim year-round in water depth ranging from shallow to very deep in varying habitat all over the fishing area. Resident fish are generally baby tarpon, but the migratory ones can get quite large with some tipping the scales well over a hundred pounds. These larger fish generally move into the area in the summer months giving anglers the opportunity to connect to some very acrobatic brutes that can in turn lead to some hotly contested battles between fisherman and fish. Permit, bonefish and tarpon are always released per Belize law, but some snook, snapper and barracuda may be keep for the table, at the guide’s discretion. El Pescador guides use 23’ super pangas that fish 1 or 2 anglers.  Most anglers take alternate turns on the casting deck, while the guide poles the boat from the poling platform. Much of the fishing takes place from the boat, though there are several hard-bottom flats that can be successfully waded.

 

Lodge:

Northern Belize’s premier fly fishing lodge, El Pescador Resort was constructed of native Belizean hardwood harvested from the mainland forests. This authentic colonial lodge sits beachfront facing the sea, and is surrounded by beautiful fragrant gardens with shade provided by large palm trees swaying in the offshore breeze. The two-story building of the main lodge overlooks a white coral sand beach where the shallow water harbors a combination of sea grass and white sandy bottom. Each room has an ocean view, with the rooms on the ground floor affording direct access to the beach. Recently remodeled and modernized, the rooms are furnished with either two queens or a king-size bed, and include a spacious and comfortable sitting area, separate bath with walk-in shower and a hardwood closet with plenty of drawers and space for all your gear. For families and larger groups, the resort is now able to offer spacious accommodations in one of eight contemporary villas. Well-appointed and lavish, the exterior of these new buildings is well in keeping with the feel of the exterior of the resort. All rooms come equipped with air-conditioning and free WiFi. In the main lodge, there is a well-stocked fly shop which provides equipment for purchase including an excellent selection of leaders and flies. There are three pools: one next to the main lodge, and the one at the center of each villa complex. Golf carts and bikes are available for guest use. Each morning, all the trips scheduled for the day launch from a dock on property which is also the pick-up location for the water taxi allowing easy access to San Pedro for shopping, restaurants, drinking and night life.

 

 

Dining:

The thing that really drives this resort is their incredibly warm staff, and nowhere else is it more on display than in their dining room service. The main lodge houses the kitchen, dining room and bar. Meals are served in the dining room or on the covered, outdoor deck. Dinner is served family style with all the guests dining together at the same time. The resort hosts also dine with you, ensuring that you will receive the utmost personal service during your stay. The restaurant specializes in fresh, local Caribbean cuisine, with a menu inspired by the changing seasons and always features a diverse selection of dishes made with delicious, locally sourced ingredients. Each evening, a choice of two entreés or a buffet is included at dinner. The meal is preceded by appetizers provided in the bar, the perfect place for sharing stories after the day's activities. Well drinks and beer are included in the fishing packages. A full selection of top shelf liquors and wine is available for purchase. Providing outstanding service to their guests is of the upmost importance to El Pescador Resort, as they strive to provide a menu that meets a wide variety of dietary needs including vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options. The restaurant is happy to accommodate special requests. Beef, pork, chicken, lobster tails, stone crab claws, mahi-mahi and snapper make regular appearances on the weeklong menu, served with various seasonal vegetables and rice. The menu is posted earlier in the day. The house specialty is jerk pork chops, and is not be missed.

 

How to Get There:

El Pescador fishing packages begin with your arrival at Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City (BZE). Domestic transportation directly to El Pescador Resort on Ambergris Caye from Belize City is arranged for you by 2Salt Travel, you just need to provide your arrival/departure dates and carrier information. After arriving at the international terminal, proceed through immigration, collect your luggage from the baggage claim and continue to customs. After clearing customs, exit into the main terminal where the Tropic Air ticket counter is located. Your reservations to San Pedro will be held under your last name. Upon receiving your boarding pass, proceed through security to your assigned gate. The flight to San Pedro takes about 20 minutes once you are in the air. A representative of the resort will be at the airstrip to meet you when you land and help you with your luggage and the transfer to the dock where the water taxi completes the final leg of your journey to the resort, about 10 minutes away. Your arrival to the resort is complete with a complimentary welcome drink when you step onto the dock at El Pescador. After settling into your room, there is a short orientation in the bar area where your hosts will sit down with you and make sure you have the gear with you that you will need. They also go over with you the current fishing conditions and discuss your expectations during your stay. You are welcome to bring imported alcohol and wine to the resort if you like. It is recommended that you purchase alcoholic beverages at the Duty-Free in the airport before you depart Belize City, as it is more expensive on the island.

 

Typical Day:

The evening before fishing, you will order lunch from a menu at dinner. If you would like beverages other than water in the boat the following day, you may also order those for the cooler. The hosts will meet with you to discuss the best time to meet your guide in the morning. Breakfast is served beginning at 6 am. You may order hot meals made-to-order from the breakfast menu, or help yourself to lighter items like cereal and fresh fruit. Promptly following breakfast, proceed with your gear to the pier where your guide will be waiting to take you out to the flats in 23’ pangas, with up to 2 anglers and a guide sharing a skiff. Full days last for 8 hours, including lunch. If you would like to stay out longer, you may arrange it with the guide, at an additional charge. When you return to the lodge you may choose to join the evening casting workshops to learn the tools for successfully fly fishing the flats. Appetizers are available at the bar until 5 pm. Many guests choose to relax at the bar during happy hour, while others enjoy the pool after being out in the sun all day. Fresh popcorn in butter, salt and lime may be served to accompany your favorite beverage of choice. Served buffet-style in the dining room or family-style outside on the deck, dinner begins at 6:45 pm. After supper, enjoy a drink and a game of pool in the bar which stays open until the last patron goes to bed. Upon returning to your room, you will find a large pitcher of water in the mini fridge should you get thirsty at night.

 

 

What’s Included:

Deluxe accommodations for the number of nights lodging and days fishing specified in your package, domestic roundtrip air, ground transfers, meals, local Belizean beverages consumed at our bar (including soda, beer and rum), and complimentary use of kayaks and bikes. Tax is included. Fishing gear may be loaned-out on request, based on availability.

Not included: International airfare to/from Belize City, gratuities for guides or staff, imported alcoholic beverages, fishing license, and park fees (if applicable).

 

Non-angling Activities :

Massage, private fly-fishing lessons, diving, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboard, golf, cave tubing, a jungle river cruise to a Mayan archaeological site and shopping in San Pedro are some of the activities that may be arranged for you by the resort at an additional cost. The resort maintains several kayaks that can be used to explore the myriad of lagoons just behind the resort. At no extra charge for lodge guests, the resort staff will be happy to help you find your way, providing the necessary directions to your own bonefish adventure. Please call 2Salt Travel at (970) 734-8855 for more information on the many non-angling activities available.