FISHING REPORT

May 11th - May 17th, 2014

Weather Conditions: Some big wind with sunny skies turned to low clouds and rain.

Winds: ESE 10 - 20, E 10-20, ENE 5- 15 (choppy seas), N 5 - 15, NNE 10-20, NE 10-20.

Air Temperature: High 80's for the High. Mid 70's for the lows.

Water Temperature: 75-80 degrees

Moonphase: Full moon on the 14th.

WHAT GUESTS WERE CATCHING:

BONEFISH (Macabi): Mr. Bonefish was really appreciated this week! We had tough wind and clouds so Barry and Mark made the most of it and found some really fun bonefishing. Big tails (for us) and skinny water = pure fun. They landed some dandies and it was very satisfying! Bonefishing with fly is really the heart and soul of flats fishing. Permit and tarpon are always nice - but it's a different experience. While bonefishing - it is a great time to listen to your guide, stay relaxed and aim. A nice presentation to the fish with fly or spin will always make a difference with success. Julie was here with her husband Bill. They have been here before so they know the game. Julie was working on her fly casting and was thrilled with her bonefish and a variety of snappers, including Mutton Snapper! Howard brought his son Jake on a fun fishing vacation as a graduation present. They love to fish and thought that they would use their fly rods as a back up to spin. However, they braved it and landed several fish on fly! They also left here today as better anglers ~ Just sayin. Eric and Lonnie organized a fantastic fishing vacation for their company contractors. They went out in some tough conditions with a few hangovers and had a great time with a fly and spin. I think we converted a few to fly and they plan on returning with their families. It's not that one way of fishing is better than another - but it is fun to try new things. I will say, a bonefish ripping out flyline after a nice cast and presentation is nothing short of thrilling.

PERMIT (Palometta): Julian and Chris are here from the UK. They have been chasing permit, but it has been really tough. For permit on the fly - you really need the sun. Looking for pushes of fish and tails is possible but desperate. They pulled the plug and went bonefishing. Greg had a few really nice shots with Captain Hilberto, but the permit missed the fly. Yes, when a 30 lb permit does a 180 to find the fly - he missed it. That's a fish we all would have loved to see. Captain Luis founds some nice permit - Howard made the shot, but a bonefish took it! No permit landed this week.

TARPON (Sabalo): The migratory tarpon are here! Captain Vince and Captain Cesar have been telling me about 100 pound fish down by Long Caye and Hicks Caye. Doug had two big bites, but nothing landed. Danny had a few great eats with Captain Cesar guiding. Cesar said some shots were 40 feet! Ken also had some nice shots, but the fish were not on the bite that day. We did not have any tarpon landed this week, but there were some great eats on both fly and spin. I have a feeling this next week it's going to crack open!

SNOOK: Still around! Some tight shots up close to the mangroves.

Grand Slam: None

OTHER SPECIES: Barracuda on fly and spin: jacks, jacks and more jacks: ladyfish; snapper - all on fly and spin. And yes, Mutton Snapper on fly. If this is something you are interested in doing - we've got em!

FLIES THAT WORKED

FOR BONEFISH - Crazy Charlie, Gotcha, Bunny Gotcha's, CI Special's (orange, pink and pearl), small crabs.

FOR PERMIT - Turneffe Crab, Avalon, Big Squimps!, Mantas shrimp patterns - size 4.

FOR TARPON - Black Death, Chartreuse toad, White toads and bait fish patterns.

Guide of the week: Captain Vince. Vince has had all his anglers into migratory tarpon this week despite some really tough conditions. He also was very encouraging to his anglers and they all reported experiencing a big fun time. Congratulations Vince!

This Week's Summary:

Coming home to familiar faces we've seen here at El Pescador is a special treat. Really fun to see Barry and Mark, Bill and Julie and all the incredible staff here at El Pescador. Steve and Chris had an amazing time in Holland and shared pictures of them surrounded in tulips! I returned from weeks of chasing steelhead in the Pacific Northwest and felt pretty lucky as I felt the warm saltwater on my bare feet walking to work. No wool here! Our anglers had a tough week of weather. It's very rare that we would get a cold front from the north this time of year, but it happened. The fish didn't like it and became scarce. Everyone gets the "good sport" award for heading out on dark days trying to make something happen. And as I write this, it's a picture perfect morning. Flat seas and sun. While I wish everyone could experience perfect days all the time, it's not going to happen. Fishing required showing up prepared. It's what you do with the conditions that makes the memories. It's great to back home in Belize.

Cast to your dreams!
Lori-Ann: [email protected].