Ryan Collins
Fortunately for me, Lauren has picked a cabina that just happens to be located within walking distance of an absolutely gorgeous fishing area.
We've now explored around quite a bit, and I believe other cabinas are not so lucky. I think we are very fortunate to be located where we are.
This video recaps day #2 in Belize, when I walked south from our cabina, to a remote section of beach known locally for its bonefish.
More...
As long as I don't give up, I feel I will eventually find some success with the bonefish. In the meantime, I may try targeting the abundant barracudas which I have seen cruising over the flats.
MFCC members can see a Google Map of the cabina and exact location of where we are staying in Belize, by clicking the download button below.
Tight lines!
Would love to snorkel in that area. Water temp around 80, and crystal clear. Put money on B 7. Enjoy
Live shrimp with spit shot on spinning rig?
That might work, as would live crabs (I am told). The trick now is how to catch the live shrimp and crabs.
I was told to put a coconut out on the sand at night, and then check back a few hours later, to catch the crabs which are attracted to the coconut.
So I put out a coconut last night, but the crabs are yet to appear…
This information is from people in Florida who catch their own shrimp for bait. Maybe it will help?
Find a sandy/muddy-bottomed inshore flat, near a small feeder creek that is tidal influenced. About two – three hours before low tide, “bait” the area with a mixture of fish meal/bread crumbs, fish flavored DRY cat food and mud. Distribute soft-ball sized “chum-balls” along a 50-70 yard area.
The dropping tide will distribute the chum slick to where the shrimp will be holding and bring them in as the tide rises. (This procedure works best if you bait-up in the early day and begin cast-netting right before dark.) Not sure if you have any kind of net but maybe a dip net could get you a few shrimp.
At night you can supposedly can see the glowing eyes of the shrimp with a flash light. You can also attract crabs in this way or go crabbing off the dock that is visible in your video.
I have done that at the Jersey Shore. Attach some chicken or a bait chunk to a line and drop it into the deeper water (4 – 6 feet) from the dock at night, making sure it sinks to the bottom. The crabs will pull the line out straight as they try to move away with the bait. Very, very slowly pull the line in, giving out line if the crab pulls too much, until the crab is just below the surface. Scoop it with a dip net if you have one or try and pull the crab up onto the dock. If you use a dip net scoop below the crab not at it. The crab will let go when they hear the net hit the water. By aiming underneath the crab you set a trap for the crab to fall into as it lets go. Multiple lines will increase your chances.
It’s also a fun date night activity.
Thank you Dex!
I have some exciting news which I will share tomorrow here on MFCC.
Thanks for all the tips.
Looks awesome man! Hope you and Lauren have a great trip!
Thank you Shane!
Tonight we are heading to the “Chicken Drop” which is a pretty popular weekly event in town.
I am told there is a big “bingo-type” board with a live chicken on it. You bet money on which square the chicken poops on.
Should be interesting…
Betsy and I went to “Chicken Sh*t Bingo” when we visited friends in Texas last year. The best part was when Betsy and her friend Renee started taking side bets from people standing around the game board for $10 a shot. They sold out all the squares in about 10 minutes. It got a bit dicey when the chicken pooped on one of Betsy’s squares and she won $250. We almost had to make a hasty exit!
LOL, Betsy is quite the spitfire, and a great party host!
Both the flies you show on the video seem to have the weighted barbell eyes on them. Sometimes those weighted flies will create a “plop” or splash that causes bonefish to shy away from them. Maybe an unweighted fly like a “Bonefish Special” or a “Snapping Shrimp” would be more stealthy.
Good Luck!
I’m going to swing into the local fly fishing shop tomorrow and see what I can do to improve my chances. I have literally plopped flies & lures directly in front of good size bonefish but cannot get them to bite.
Last night in the dark I had 3 good hits and many follows from baby tarpon. I was sight casting to them in the dark (their eyes lit up bright red in my headlamp).
I will give it another go at sunrise.