Photos

Caribbean Flats Fishing

Take a trip from Central Belize to the Yucatan Peninsula with these fine fishing photos by Jan Maizler.

By Jan S. Maizler

Updated: August 4, 2012

Dawn on the docks of Belize River Lodge‘s private camp, Long Caye Island Resort, located in Central Belize. Jan S. Maizler

Preparing a fiberglass panga for what hopefully will be a productive day of “offshore” flats fishing for tarpon, snook, bonefish and permit, with a side of jacks and ‘cuda. Jan S. Maizler

Success! Guide Dirk Burgard holds a big jack caught just a few miles from the loge at the mouth of the Belize River. Jan S. Maizler

Photographer Jan Maizler caught this 22-pound permit using a nine-foot long salmon rod, rigged with a Penn Battle loaded with eight-pound test, double line, and a brown Back Bone jig. Proudly displayed by guide Dirk. Jan S. Maizler

This 20–pound barracuda held by Capt. Ken Collette was tempted by a Money Minnow on eight-pound tackle. Jan S. Maizler

Guide Dirk releases a tarpon off St. George’s Caye. Jan S. Maizler

Another nice tarpon shown with high dynamic range imaging (HDRI or HDR). Tarpon are a mere five minutes from the Long Caye Island Resort. Jan S. Maizler

Guide Dirk holds a Belizean bonefish caught while wading on a flat in front of the lodge off Long Caye Island Resort’s beach. Jan S. Maizler

The picturesque shoreline of Long Caye Island Resort. Jan S. Maizler

Skiffs at Belize River Lodge’s main lodge on the green banks of the Belize Olde River, only 3.5 miles from the entrance into the Caribbean Sea and about 12 miles from Long Caye Island Resort. Jan S. Maizler

From Belize, follow the jeweled tones of the Caribbean Sea north up to Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, and you’ll encounter Boca Paila Fishing Lodge, which is situated within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. Jan S. Maizler

Boca Paila guide Alfonso holds a Mexican permit the author caught using a nine-foot long steelhead model rod and reel loaded with eight-pound mono. The lure was a tan quarter-ounce Backbone jig. Jan S. Maizler

An up-close-and-personal portrait of a beautiful bonefish caught using a six-pound spinning outfit and a weighted Crazy Charlie. Jan S. Maizler

A large Mexican bonefish caught with guide Eduardo of Boca Paila Fishing Lodge from a super shallow draft skiff. Jan S. Maizler

Boca Paila Fishing Lodge co-owner Mrs. Gonzalez prepared this lunch of fresh-chicken tacos slathered with a delicate slightly spicy sauce. Jan S. Maizler

About the Photographer: Jan Maizler specializes in writing about flats fishing and light tackle angling travel. As an angler, author, and writer, Jan is also a past IGFA world record holder for bonefish on two-pound test line (8 pounds, 4 ounces) and permit on four-pound test line (23 pounds, 15 ounces). He has caught and released over 2,000 bonefish and 1,000 tarpon in his angling career. Jan has been fishing in salt water since 1962. In 1977 he published his first flats fishing book entitled Flats Fishing. Since then, Jan has written eight books, which include Flats Fishing II: A Shoalwater Handbook, Fishing Florida’s Coast, and Fishing Tips, Tales, and Travels. His newest book is Fishing Florida’s Flats by University Press of Florida.

More: bonefish fishing, flats fishing, Inshore Fishing, permit fishing, photos, Tarpon Fishing

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