I am completely new to this whole flats fishing scene. I know that it tends to be less about the fly and more about finding the fish and getting something in front of them.

That having been said, anyone have a few recommendations for that neck of the woods? I have done a bit of poking around and it seems like all the usual stuff works just fine. I have been trying to cover a range from pretty light stuff to a little heavier (no eyes, bead chain eyes, leads eyes, etc.)

Here is what I have been pulling together so far.


Chico's Bonefish Special sorta things.







Crazy Charlie sorta things.



Skrunkie sorta things





Got a few crabby sorta things and an assorted bunch of clouser/baitfish things.





So what am I missing? Anything else you tropical veterans would recommend taking along?

The Skrunkie style with its pearlescent body material is good. Add a couple thin tan rubber trailing legs, and you're good to go. For real shallow flats I used some plastic eyes in place of the bead chain in the Gotcha style. I haven't needed the lead eyed flies yet, just the bead chain.

In case of permit, a killer crab pattern is peach-ish orange, trailed by thin yellow dyed grizzly, about size 4 with light dumbell eyes.

Where are you going, north around Ambergris Caye or south toward Placentia?

Sg

As of now the plan is to head straight out to Ambergris and the start working our way south. We plan to wind up a Placencia via a number of water based travel methods and then head back north via more of an inland route.

Thanks for the crab pattern. I'll see if I can find a simple version that I might be capable of scrapping together.

Oh, and that crab pattern has 3 sets of white rubber legs too. Leave 'em long as the guides like to decide how much to trim. Seems each has his preference.

We were thinking of Ambergris, but now we're leaning back toward Mexico again, fishing in Ascension.

Sg

La cucaracha?

SKRUNK!

Wouldn't be the first time they've tackle Belize bonefish... just ask Vokey

Any way you could set that interview up : )

I am hoping for some skrunk magic. I am sure they won't disappoint.

Bait thug.

I got some things here waiting that will top her off for ya!
been playing around with some variations that I think youll fancy

I'd like to first thank a few of you for keeping this topic in the right forum

I lent APKD a bunch of stuff a week before he left, curious if he could post a pic of the box and say what worked..

Freshly back and it turned way more into a chillin' trip than a fishing trip. Coley, I'd say you are already very well-armed and don't need to add much. Take a fair number of the ones you have and add a mono weed guard. You can always trim them down or off. A lot of those fish are IN the grass. You don't have to tie new flies to add the weed guard.

Crabs are good and are a permit's best friend if you get lucky enough to fish for them.

I also talked to one local guy that fishes slightly deeper water for bonefish almost strictly with clousers and sinking lines although I found that odd.

We can chat tonight.

-AP

10-4

Where'd ya' go AP?

Stam has a good eye regarding those flies in the upper right corner. Tanish rubber legs on a pinkish-tan Gotcha is very dependable.

Sg

Stayed on Ambergris, north of San Pedro. Spent a day on Caye Caulker and a day inland near Guatamala. Never long enough. If it wasn't for work, money, and my dog, I wouldn't come back until the native steelhead really start running.

-AP