TURNEFFE FLATS LODGE
The Fishing
For decades the Turneffe Atoll has been known as a premier flats fishing destination. Our expansive ocean side flats offer miles of wadeable flats, while the bars and flats inside Turneffe's lagoons are best fished from our custom-built Dolphin Superskiffs. Most of the bonefishing occurs on the ocean flats between the reef and the islands while the tarpon and permit fisheries are in the lagoon.
The Turneffe Atoll is the largest coral atoll in the Western Hemisphere, and is best-known for its variety of saltwater fishing. The availability of bonefish, permit and tarpon make Turneffe Flats one of the rare spots in the world offering a legitimate shot at a GRAND SLAM. Additionally, Turneffe offers the opportunity to fish for a wide variety of other saltwater species.
Bonefishing
Bonefishing at Turneffe Flats offers something for anglers of all levels of experience. Novice saltwater anglers can expect to see hundreds of bonefish providing a great opportunity to learn the basics of flats fishing. Experienced saltwater anglers find plenty of challenging fishing, particularly fishing to smaller schools and larger singles.
Our ocean side flats, only 5 to 15 minutes from the lodge, are are some of the most picturesque flats anywhere. While wading the flats at Turneffe you will cast to large schools of bonefish averaging 3-4 pounds, with some larger fish up to 12 pounds. The ocean side flats also offer the opportunity to pursue small schools, singles and doubles. This fishing requires casting accuracy and provides the added challenge many seasoned saltwater anglers relish.
Bonefish are present in equal numbers throughout the year and they are on the flats most of the time. This differentiates Turneffe's bonefish from those in other areas, such as the Florida Keys, where bonefish only enter the flats in search of a meal. These are very lush flats full of crabs, shrimp and other bonefish foods. As a result, these fish can become selective. This can make for challenging fishing and the right tackle, flies, presentation and fishing techniques are all important.
Bonefish also inhabit the mangrove-lined lagoons and flats on the interior of the Atoll. These bonefish are generally larger and take flies more readily than the ocean side fish; although they tend to be on the move, making casting accuracy more crucial. Fishing for these fish is mostly done from the bow of our 16' Dolphin Superskiffs.
There is a wadeable flat immediately in front of the lodge, allowing you extra fishing in the early morning or evening.
Dick Brown, author of Fly Fishing for Bonefish, has named Turneffe Flats one of The World's Seven Best for Bonefish".
Permit Fishing
As more saltwater anglers have come to enjoy the challenge of permit fishing, Belize has been recognized as one of a few locations to experience the excitement of casting to tailing permit on the flats. The Turneffe Atoll has an exceptional population of permit and increasing numbers of anglers are visiting us to sight-fish to permit.
Most permit are found a singles or in small groups on the flats and bars throughout the Turneffe Atoll, although we also frequently see larger schools of permit tailing in shallow water. Most of our permit fishing done from a poled skiff but we also see permit (often with their backs out of the water) on our wadeable ocean-side flats.
You can expect plenty of shots at 10 to 20 lb. permit with some fish in the 30 to 40 lb. class. Permit fishing at Turneffe may afford you more shots than other destinations, but they are always challenging!For some reason permit in the lagoon area are relatively free form the predators found elsewhere in Belize and are far less spooky than most. In fact you can often fish to the same school for a half hour or so with multiple shots. Even with a spook that would spell disaster on most permit flats these fish regroup and go on feeding in just a few minutes. Large crab patterns are the favored weapon of the guides. On our last trip to the atoll Lisa and I had 50 shots at permit in one day with four hookups and one to the boat, yet we fished to only six or seven schools for hours. Talk about exciting permit fishing!
Tarpon Fishing
Tarpon inhabit the creeks, channels and lagoons of the Atoll. Most tarpon jumped are 20-60 pounds, with some fish in the 100-150 pound range and occasional monsters approaching 200 pounds.
Tarpon fishing is quite seasonal as tarpon are migratory. Tarpon numbers begin to increase in April or May and drop off in September or October with peak tarpon months being June, July, and August. There are a few 'resident' tarpon around Turneffe throughout the year with some baby tarpon areas that can be the icing on the grand slam day. Work on that permit, hit the baby tarpon lagoon and then stay out as long as needed to nail the bonefish!
Other Species
The interior of the Turneffe Atoll offers miles of mangrove-lined bays, creeks and lagoons to fish for various snappers, jacks and barracuda with poppers or Clouser minnows. This can be some very exciting saltwater fishing with either a fly rod or spinning gear.
Barracuda are an underrated and acrobatic game fish inhabiting the reefs at Turneffe in large numbers. Some anglers prefer to troll a fly for them, but they can also be taken by sight casting on the flats or by casting poppers into the deeper holes along the reef.
Along the reef, wading anglers can take snappers and jacks by casting deceiver patterns or poppers into the surf. Spending some time during your stay at Turneffe "chasing" other species is always fun and usually rewarding.
Fishing Skiffs
Daily Fishing Schedule
Our fishing schedule is as flexible as possible. A standard day's fishing is about 8-9 hours. Generally the fishing day begins after breakfast around 8 am and ends around 5:00 P.M. although it is adjusted depending on the tides and other factors. Each day you will have the option to take a delicious packed lunch or return to the lodge for the noon meal. Our Managers will coordinate your fishing each evening for the following day. Early morning fishing, particularly for tarpon, can be exceptional, and arrangements to go tarpon fishing before breakfast are easily made.Our Guides
We understand that a top notch guide is essential to a good fishing trip. At Turneffe Flats, you will be guided by experienced, knowledgeable, English-speaking guides. With an average of more than 20 years guiding on the flats, our guides are some of the most experienced and dedicated flats guides in the Caribbean.
| Winston "Pops" Cabral - Pops has been with Turneffe Flats for nearly 18years, and he guided elsewhere in Belize for many years before joining us. Pops began working with his family as a commercial fisherman in the Turneffe Islands at age 14, and remembers spending holidays on a small caye at the south tip of Turneffe which disappeared during the devastating hurricane of 1961, Hurricane Hattie. Pops is passionate about his bonefishing and has helped Craig Mathews develop a number of well-known bonefish flies including the 'Pops Bonefish Bitters'. Guiding is special for Pops and he takes his fishing seriously. He enjoys the variety of fishing at Turneffe including permit fishing and tarpon fishing. An accomplished fly caster, Pops was born and raised in Belize City. His wife and 4 children reside in Belize City. |  |
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| Carlton "Capt" Westby, Jr. - Carlton comes from a very well-known fly fishing family in Belize and he has guided at Turneffe Flats since 1994. Carlton is an accomplished fly caster and one of the best boat Captains in Belize - thus his nickname, 'Capt'. He has been a harbor Captain, a charter Captain and a live-aboard dive boat Captain. Carlton's likes the 'hunting' involved in tarpon and permit fishing . His wife and daughter live in Belize City. |  |
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| Eddie Hyde -- Eddie has been guiding on the Turneffe Atoll for more than 30 years and has witnessed the evolution of saltwater fly fishing. He is an accomplished fly caster and enjoys the variety of fishing available at Turneffe, but particularly the tarpon fishing. Several of Eddie's family work at Turneffe Flats including his wife, Eleanor, a head cook; his son Mark, a fishing guide and his daughter Martha, a housekeeper. |  |
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| Clifton "KP" Wade - KP is passionate about permit fishing and claims that his nickname stands for 'King Permit'. We're not sure about that, but he is, undoubtedly, one the most productive permit guides in Belize. KP also enjoys tarpon fishing and likes getting up early to look for rolling tarpon. KP has been with Turneffe Flats for approximately 9 years and has become a skilled fly caster. He grew up in Belize City where his son and daughter currently reside. |  |
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| Mark Hyde -- Mark grew up in Cotton Tree village, a farming and ranching community about 30 miles from Belize City. He started working at Turneffe Flats as a laborer, but, as Eddie Hyde's son, guiding was in his blood. He began guiding regularly a number of years ago and enjoys fishing for bonefish, permit and tarpon. As one of the better soccer players in Belize, Mark was invited to play with the National team. A natural athlete, he has become one of our better fly-casters and casting instructors. Mark's wife and three daughters live in Cotton Tree. |  |
BELIZE!
TURNEFFE FLATS LODGE
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