Fishing in Placencia, Belize:
A local fly fishing guide's
perspective

Table of contents

• Local conservation and guiding heritage
• Permit, Tarpon and Bonefish in Placencia
• Local conditions and gear considerations
• Getting to Placencia
• When to come for the best fishing in Placencia
• Frequently asked questions about fishing in and around Placencia
• Book a fly fishing charter in Placencia

Local conservation and guiding heritage

Belize as a country has worked hard to keep the fisheries healthy. All sport fishing species like Permit, Tarpon, and Bonefish have been strictly catch-and-release by law since 2009, and a nationwide gill net ban in 2020 has further boosted game fish populations. Thanks to these conservation efforts, Permit in Placencia, for instance, is more plentiful than ever. We also see schools of Bonefish returning to the sandy flats outside Placencia. I learned the sport from my father, Charlie Leslie Sr., who was one of Belize's pioneering fly fishing guides, and many other Placencia fly fishing guides also come from families who've fished here for generations.

Permit, Tarpon and Bonefish in Placencia

Most visiting anglers want to target one (or all) of three species. Each of these presents a unique challenge and rush. Here's a closer look at Permit, Tarpon, and Bonefish – and some tips on when and where to find them on the Placencia flats.

Permit in Placencia – the ultimate flats challenge

Permit are considered the ultimate prize on the flats, and with good reason. They are notoriously elusive, selective, and incredibly alert to their surroundings. These fish typically weigh 8–20 pounds in Belize, with the occasional bruiser pushing 30 lbs! We usually spot them tailing on shallow turtle grass flats or near coral patches and reef edges. On a rising or high tide, Permit come up top across the flats to feed, and as the tide falls, they often shift toward the edges of flats or into deeper channels.

Stealth and accurate casting are everything with Permit. Any sudden noise or a poor cast can send them running. On very calm days, we'll likely get out of the boat and wade when we see a tailing fish to minimize disturbance.

For insider tips and proven tactics to outsmart Permit, make sure to read this article: Crack the Permit code: A complete guide to catching Permit in Belize

Tarpon in Placencia – Hunting the Silver King

The Tarpon in and around this area ranges from smaller juveniles to monster adults. We have resident Tarpon in the 10–40 pound class stalking the mangrove-lined lagoons, creek mouths, and deeper channels around Placencia. We often spot them rolling at the surface to gulp air in the early morning calm. Hooking one of these smaller Tarpon is a ton of fun on a 9 or 10-weight rod. Then, from late spring through summer, the big migratory Tarpon arrives. These fish can be 80–120+ pounds and tend to cruise in more open water or hang around river mouths and deeper channels. When those hook up to the end of your line, that's definitely a moment you'll never forget.

Tarpons tend to be most active when light and temperature are in our favor. Dawn and dusk are prime times, especially on calm days. Tides matter too: an incoming tide can push baitfish into the lagoons, drawing Tarpon in to feed, while an outgoing tide concentrates bait at creek outlets. We often plan Tarpon fishing for periods of moving water and avoid slack tide when they might settle down. Your tackle should be sturdy – I usually recommend a 10–12 weight rod, a reel with plenty of backing, and a 40–80 lb shock tippet. When you hook up, set a hard strip set followed by a few firm side-pulls of the rod to jank in that hook.

Bonefish in Placencia – Plentiful and lightning-fast

Most Bonefish here are 2–4 pounds, with the occasional 5–7 pounder in the mix. We often find them around nearby cayes, and you'll easily spot the flashes and nervous water moving across the shallows on a clear day. The Bonefish around Placencia are around year-round.

Local conditions and gear considerations

The weather in Placencia is typically warm and tropical. Expect daytime temperatures around 80–90°F (27–32°C) for most of the year. It can get a bit cooler (70s°F) on winter mornings and hotter (mid-90s°F) in midsummer midday, but overall it's pleasantly warm. Humidity is relatively high, and the sun is intense – even when there's a nice breeze, that tropical sun will roast unprotected skin. So, sun protection is necessary: pack a good hat or a cap, polarized sunglasses with copper or green glass, high-SPF sunscreen, a buff, and a lightweight long-sleeve sun shirt. Lightweight quick-dry pants and flats boots are necessary for wading the flats. Also, please bring a light rain jacket in your bag; rain showers here are usually brief but can pop up from nowhere.

Rods and reels

When it comes to tackle, you'll want to gear up for saltwater species. For Bonefish, a fast-action 7 or 8 wt rod is perfect. For Permit, a 9 or 10 wt is most common. Bring the big guns for Tarpon: a 10 wt can handle the juveniles, but you'll be happier with an 11 or 12 wt for anything sizable. Reels should have a smooth, strong, reliable drag system and at least 150–200 yards of backing for Permit and 250-300 yards for bigger Tarpon.

Fly lines

Fly lines must be tropical-rated so they don't turn limp and get sticky in the heat. We primarily use floating lines on the flats. However, if you have an extra spool or reel, an intermediate or full sinking line can help get the fly in front of the Tarpon in the deeper channels outside Placencia.

Leaders and tippets

We generally use 9–12 ft leaders tapered to ~12–20 lb test for Bonefish and Permit. For Tarpon, you'll want a shock tippet: typically a 5–6 foot 20 lb class tippet with a 2–3 foot section of 60–80 lb shock tippet.

Flies

You don't need a ton of patterns, but having a good selection of proven winners helps.

For Permit, carry a variety of crab and shrimp flies (sizes 2–6) – classics like the Tan or olive Bauer Crab, EP Spawning Shrimp, and Raghead Crab are staples, as are Del Brown's Merkin crab patterns.

Bonefish will readily eat small shrimp patterns like Gotchas, Crazy Charlies, and Bonefish Bitters.

Tarpon in Southern Belize will eat a range of baitfish and attractor patterns – Tarpon Toads in black/purple, red/black, or chartreuse, Cockroach flies, EP baitfish streamers and Deceivers work well depending on conditions. I also like to have some Clouser Minnows handy (size 1/0 or 2).

Remember, fly shops in Placencia are limited, so bring what you need.

For a full rundown of recommended gear, check out my fly fishing gear checklist, which covers rods, reels, line types, leader setups, and fly recommendations in detail.

Getting to Placencia

Getting here is relatively easy. If you're coming from abroad, you'll first fly into Belize's main international airport (Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport, code BZE) near Belize City. From there, the quickest route is to hop on a 25-minute domestic flight down to Placencia. Two local airlines, Tropic Air and Maya Island Air, have frequent daily flights connecting Belize City to Placencia. The planes are small (and the views are amazing – you'll skim right over reefs and cayes), and it's a smooth ride that drops you at Placencia's tiny airstrip just minutes from the village.

If flying in small planes isn't your thing or you want to save money, you can also travel to Placencia by road. Driving from Belize City to Placencia takes around 3 to 3.5 hours. You can rent a car and drive yourself – the highways are paved, and it's a nice ride through the countryside as you pass orange groves, small villages, and jungle hills. Alternatively, private shuttles and buses also run this route. A shuttle can be convenient if you prefer not to drive.

Once you arrive in Placencia, you'll find it's a laid-back beach town with one main road and sidewalk – everything is close. Most hotels or resorts in the area can arrange transportation from the airport if needed.

When to come for the best fishing in Placencia

There is no off-season for Bonefish, Permit, or resident Tarpon. That said, different months offer different experiences.

Spring and summer months (March through August)

These months are generally considered prime time. During this period, the weather is typically stable—warm days, lighter winds, and rain usually come in short bursts, if at all.

April, May, and June are especially excellent: big Tarpons are migrating through, and Permit and Bonefish are plentiful. These months also have longer daylight hours, which means more sight-fishing time each day.

Fall (September through November)

Fall is a mixed bag because it's the region's peak of the rainy and hurricane seasons. You can still have fantastic fishing in fall (in fact, September and October often have some very calm, hot days that fish great), but you might deal with an occasional afternoon thunderstorm or an early-season cold front in November. The upside is fewer crowds and less fishing pressure on the flats.

Winter (December through February)

Winter brings slightly cooler temperatures and a chance of cold fronts from the west and northwest showing up. When a cold front rolls in, we usually get a couple or up to a week of windy days, cooler air, and the occasional rain shower. But outside of those fronts, winter days in Placencia are usually mild (75–80°F), low humidity, and mostly sunny and enjoyable weather. Bonefish don't mind the cooler water, and Permit is still feeding. We usually focus on smaller, resident fish when going after Tarpon in winter, as the giants won't be back until late spring.

In short, fly fishing in and around Placencia can be tailored to any time of year. If your schedule is open and you ask me the best time to come, then March through August. But if your trip falls in a different month, don't worry – I'll still put you on fish with multiple shots guaranteed.

Each season has its highlights. To help plan around weather and lunar cycles, I have made a month-by-month breakdown – check out the guide to come for the best time to fish in Southern Belize, for details on what to expect with a month-to-month breakdown. Ultimately, the "best" time is whenever you can get here! We can make any month work with some flexibility and the right game plan!

Pro tip

If you can, avoid scheduling your only fishing day right before or after a full moon – The fish tend to feed all night on full moons, making them a bit tougher to catch the next day. It's not a deal-breaker, but something to consider when picking dates.

Frequently asked questions about fishing in and around Placencia:

What species can I catch with a fly rod in Southern Belize and Placencia?

The big three targets here are Permit, Tarpon, and Bonefish. Besides those, there are other fun species around, too. Hooking into big Triggerfish and Barracuda near the flats, as well as Snook and big Jacks in the mangroves and lagoons, is not uncommon.

When is the best time of year to go fishing in Placencia?

Fishing is good year-round. April–June offers stable weather and peak activity, while late summer can be hot but productive. Fall has fewer crowds yet higher hurricane risk. Winter still brings Bonefish and Permit, though cold fronts can roll in.

Do I need to bring my own fly fishing gear, or do guides provide the necessary equipment?

Bring your own if you have it, but you don't have to. Most guides down here can provide the gear needed. That said, many prefer using the gear that they've tuned to their casting style. It's totally up to you. If you bring gear, make sure it's suitable for saltwater, and rinse it every day after being out.

If you're a beginner or don't want to invest in new gear just for one trip, don't worry—your guide will probably have everything you need. Just let them know in advance so they can prep the boat accordingly.

Is Placencia a suitable location for fly fishing beginners?

Absolutely. You don't need to be an expert! I regularly take out clients on their very first flats fishing trip. We have plenty of Bonefish and smaller resident Tarpon, which are a perfect target for beginners. Permit are more challenging, but that doesn't mean a beginner can't hook one! I'll offer as much coaching as you want and need.

How long are the charters, and should I do a full-day or half-day?

A half-day charter is about 4 hours dock to dock, whilst a full-day is around 8 hours dock to dock. I recommend a full-day trip if your schedule and budget allow it. The reason is that more time on the water = more opportunities. A full day lets us fish multiple tide phases and various spots and maximize the best times of the day. Half-days can be very productive, don't get me wrong – if you only have a free morning, we can catch fish in 4 hours. Remember that we must pick a narrower game plan with a half-day charter.

Do you want to book a fly fishing charter?

Get in touch via mail at [email protected], or through WhatsApp at (501) 661-5709 to check available dates.

If I'm already booked on your preferred dates, I'll do my best to connect you with another skilled guide from my network. To ensure you'll get to book the dates you want, I recommend reaching out as soon as possible in advance for peak season (spring and summer). If not, feel free to get in touch anyway. Sometimes, I have often set aside some dates for walk-ins and might also have a cancellation or a flex day.

Once you're all booked, we'll make a game plan to target what you want and aim for the best tide cycle to maximize the chances. Feel free to ask if you have any questions before booking.