howdy all,

in your experience, which resort has the best surf / flats fishing out in front or hiking distance from the place?? i will book a trip as well but hope to do a little early morning damage before my lovely bride awakens on a few days.

thanks, this board is the greatest for pre-trip info..

robert k

I've been doing my own research on this subject myself. I have booked a guide for my days much like yourself, but would like some time to fish on my own. There is an article posted on an international fly fishing forum at the link below with some good information on finding fish on the caye's shores and some information on safe flats that you won't sink to your ears in.

Also, I found from my research that the local guides are excellent and many of them have escorted hosts of some very well known shows and publications. In fact, I've personally called some of these hosts to get some references and it turns out that they have a great deal of respect for these local guides.
http://globalflyfisher.com/reports/belize2002/

When are you going to be there?

Robert k--I seem to recall reading on another post that an area in front of Mata Rocks is wadeable and good for flyfishing right off the beach. I am investigating the same for my hubby since I like to sleep in and he's an early riser...if you find anything let me know!!!

Angelo...what local guides did you locate and can you post any websites that may be helpful...my husband loves flyfishing this is his first trip to SP to catch bonefish, some tarpon, and permit. He's attended many flyfishing shows and found that Belize is the way to go in order to catch his dream. So any info you could share would be much appreciated

Mata Grande is the area previously mentioned by yours truly as being great for flats fishing - in particular having lots of bone-fish. Mata Grande is 5 miles north of San Pedro.

"Mata Rocks" is the name of a hotel located 1.5 miles south of San Pedro. It is not known for flats fishing.

Before the current Mata Rocks Hotel opened, the original owners had a three room hotel way up the coast near Mata Grande. This was in 1992 or thereabouts. They named it Mata Rocks. (Before that, it was known as LA Finca and Los Renegados - which were 'way cool - today it's but a memory). The Mata Rocks ladies decided to relocate their hotel business to it's curent location. The present Mata rocks was formerly known as House of the Rising Sun. The ladies took the name Mata Rocks with them when they moved. That too is ancient history - Terry and Liz bought Mata Rocks ages ago.

ANYWAY - Mata Grande and Mata Rocks - not the same place.

Thanks, Diane I stand corrected...I knew I read your posting but there's so much wonderful info on this board that you need a pen and paper handy to write everything down!!! Anyway...I guess Mata Grande must not be too far from the Costa Maya since I hear the resort is 6 miles from town & where we'll be staying. Is it within walking distance or are there any flats off the beach that would be closer to us than Mata Grande?

I have located many guides on the caye that are(in my opinion) very good, at least from what my references tell me and from what my experience with speaking with them indicates. I'm not really into reef fishing, which is what a lot of the requests that I've noticed on this board regard. I'm more into fly fishing myself. I've actually called and have spoken with a few of them. It's apparently no secret that most of the best (fly fishing)guides are at El Pescador, and for good reason, they reserve their best guides for guests. I knew that from the start, but have other reasons for staying at Banana Beach instead and contracting my own guides. In any case, from what I've found, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. If you want more information, please contact me via e-mail(see profile).

angelo,

i will be in AC 11-5 thru 11-13. thanks for the link to the flyfishing page. i will contact you email for further discussion re: flyfishing in AC.

diane and goody2shuz,

thanks for the info regarding mata grande, this is my first chance at a bonefish or taron as well, i am so stoked!!

i was thinking that maybe the sundiver resort would be a good place to stay, it looks like its in the mata grande area...diane?? is that right??

You can also keep an eye out on this board. I'm going the there 4/10 - 4/18 and I intend on taking mental notes and posting the results of my fishing experience when I return, including what takle worked, what didn't, and what I would do differently if(I'm sure that will be revised to "when" after I get back) I go back to fish again.