Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a wonderful beach resort as you get all the excitement you can handle from a day spent searching for barracuda. If you need a closer look at the fish, jump in! This episode will bring you up close and personal with the creatures of the sea during a snorkeling trip to Shark/Ray Alley. If you still need more, take a resort scuba course and spend some time swimming with the fishes!

We used a size 8 reel by the J. Ryall Company. Unlike a typical trout reel that may have little or no drag system, when fishing for powerful fish like barracuda it's important to have a good drag. For line, we used a running line with a 25' shooting head. This setup made casting a large fly fairly easy, and barracuda like large flies! It was also an easy line to troll. The thin diameter creates less drag and the weighted shooting head helps keep the fly under the surface. Barracuda have big sharp teeth. Therefore, we used one of Jim Vincent's "Toothy Critter" leaders. They are 7 1/2 feet long with a thin stainless steel tippet built in so the barracuda can't bite through.

A friend of ours from Casper, WY, Don Ordes, owner of Fantasy Flies, designs exotic flies for exotic fish. He came up with the Needlefish Fly we used. It's about 9 inches long and is made out of flex-o-mylar tubing. It's an amazing baby needlefish imitation...

Getting to Belize is easy, with commercial flights arriving in Belize City several times a day. International travelers will need to bring a passport to get through immigration. From the mainland you can hop over to Ambergris Caye, a quick 25-minute flight, to experience a tropical island getaway. Check out Tropic Air for that breathtaking flight.

Once on the island you'll be struck by the relaxed, friendly atmosphere. The coconut palms lining the beach, the streets of sand, and the tropical breeze are just excuses for going there. The reasons include the variety of things to do. Take a resort scuba course, try windsurfing, swim with the rays and angelfish, hire a guide to explore the mangroves for bonefish or manatees, or just stretch out on a hammock for the afternoon. Make your reservations early. Check the currency exchange, which is currently $1 American to $2 Belizean.

There's a wide range of options for lodging and meals. Choose a beachfront resort to pamper your needs or take a more frugal approach and stay at one of the locally owned motels. If you like fresh seafood, this is the place for you. There are a number of restaurants that will prepare your "catch of the day" if you ask ahead. Enjoy a night out for some great Mexican cuisine, or grab a quick meal from one of the local street vendors. These are all priced accordingly, so there is something for every budget.

Here are a few things to remember while planning your trip to Ambergris Caye. This is not a fancy vacation destination. The islands' motto is "No shirt, No shoes...No Problem!" Feel free to bring your nicest sundress or Bermuda shorts, but be sure to pack plenty of T-shirts and sandals. Also, be aware that they want to preserve their resources. Don't try bringing home any coral or Mayan artifacts, or anything made from a turtle! Leave it in its place...come back and enjoy!