Permit Fishing on Turneffe Atoll
Many consider Belize to be the permit capital of the world and the argument can be made that more permit are caught on Turneffe Atoll than any where else in Belize. With 250 square miles of fishable flats, channels, and lagoon, Turneffe Atoll is one of the largest and most remote permit fisheries in the Caribbean. Turneffe is home to a variety of permit fishing opportunities including traditional ‘spot and stalk’ style on the coral flats that surround the atoll. Why The Permit People love this fishery is for its two strikingly uncommon permit fisheries - the Central Lagoon and the Elbow.
Located 25 miles from the mainland of Belize, there are two permit fishing lodges on the atoll. Each with a unique character that are perfect for anglers of all skill levels. The lodges are located on opposite ends of the atoll and rarely do anglers compete for the prime flats. Each lodge uses Dolphin Superskiffs to access the best permit fishing flats, channels, and lagoons. While the majority of the permit fishing will be done from the bow of the boat, the corral flats on the east side of the atoll offer the best wade fishing opportunities for permit anywhere in the caribbean.
The Lagoon
The Central Lagoon on Turneffe Atoll is a vast fishery of chest deep flats accessed by east and west side channels and dotted with mangrove islands. In the northern reaches of the lagoon schools of permit, often boasting over 30 permit per school, swim and feed in the turtle grass.
This unique permit fishing experience is highlighted by the style of fishing, the predictability of finding the schools, and the nearly unending opportunity for shots.
Your guide will often be looking for the schools with the boat motor engaged, covering more water in a shorter period of time. Once the school is spotted, he'll kill the engine and poll the boat into position. Once in position, it is common to get multiple shots at the same school, giving anglers opportunities to try different flies, different techniques, and ultimately catch more than one permit out of the same school.
What we like about this particular fishery is both the abundance and the relative ease for less experienced anglers. If you are wanting to catch your first permit, this is a fishery you have to experience.
The elbow
Better know for the great scuba diving, The Elbow is a permit fishery that we've never seen duplicated anywhere else. Located at the southern tip of Turneffe Atoll, the Elbow is as fickle as it is productive. When conditions are 'just right' you'll see why we are excited about this fishing experience.
Many scuba divers every year make the journey to Turneffe Atoll for the diving at the south point. Here, massive schools of both horse eyed jacks and jack crevalle are joined by schools of big permit to take advantage of the currents bringing plenty of food through the tip of the atoll.
This fishery is highly weather dependent and you won't be able to fish here everyday. On those perfect day, you'll fish the Blue Water edge of the atoll, peering deep into the ocean you'll see large flashes below you as permit roll, reflecting the bright sun above. Fishing a heavily weighted fly and fast sinking line is often the standard technique for getting the fly down to the schools.
When it all comes together some of the largest permit are caught. It won't be uncommon to land a permit over 20 pounds while fishing at the Elbow.
catch your first permit
When anglers call us requesting information about catching their first permit, we are likely to recommend Turneffe Atoll. More anglers catch their first permit here than any other location we recommend. Turneffe Atoll is also high on our list because of the quality of the fishery for all flats species. Anglers interested in catching their first permit, but those who still want to catch bonefish, jacks, snapper, tarpon, and maybe a snook, will undoubtably leave their week on Turneffe Atoll feeling satisfied.
