Meet the Verde Family—Your Fishing Guides in San Pedro

When you book with Captain Nato’s Charters, you are not simply reserving a boat. You are booking a private trip led by a member of the Verde family: Captain Nato, his brothers Ezequiel and Tayo, or Nato’s son Hazi.

Each guide operates his own boat, but the family shares the same approach: treat guests respectfully, provide patient instruction and make honest decisions based on the anglers and the conditions that day.

From Sarteneja to San Pedro

The Verde family comes from Sarteneja, a working fishing village on Belize’s northern coast.

Fishing in Sarteneja existed long before tourism brought visitors onto charter boats. It has traditionally been part of daily life, family income and the identity of the community. The Verde brothers grew up around fishermen, boats, lobster seasons and the practical knowledge required to work on the water.

Today, the family guides guests from San Pedro across flats, mangrove channels, sheltered backcountry and reef areas. Their Sarteneja background is not used as a marketing costume. It is where their relationship with fishing began.

Captain Nathaniel “Nato” Verde

Nato began fishing at approximately 11 years old as a lobster fisherman. He later worked as a guide at an established fishing lodge before beginning his own operation in San Pedro in 2006.

With around three decades of guiding experience, Nato has worked with serious fly anglers, first-time saltwater anglers, families and beginners.

Customer reviews frequently mention more than his ability to locate fish. Guests describe his instruction, knowledge of fish behaviour and willingness to adapt when wind, clouds or water conditions make the original plan difficult.

One reviewer arrived with rusty saltwater casting technique and credited Nato with helping restore the angler’s double-haul. Another described landing a first bonefish after Nato located feeding fish in sheltered water during difficult, overcast conditions.

Those experiences do not guarantee what another guest will catch. They demonstrate how Nato approaches the job: observe the conditions, explain what is happening and help the angler improve throughout the day.

Captain Ezequiel Verde

Ezequiel brings more than 20 years of guiding experience to the family operation.

Within the family, he is especially respected for the patience he brings to tarpon fishing. Tarpon can require long periods of watching, waiting and repositioning before the right opportunity develops. Ezequiel does not try to force a moment simply to make the trip feel busy.

That patient approach can also help anglers who need time to understand the equipment, correct their presentation or settle into their first saltwater fishing experience.

Captain Tayo Verde—“Tayo the Epic”

Tayo is the youngest of the three Verde brothers and has spent more than 20 years guiding on Belizean waters.

Returning guests know him as “Tayo the Epic,” a nickname that has become part of his identity as a guide. Like his brothers, he grew up fishing before turning that knowledge into a career serving visitors.

Tayo guides anglers with different experience levels and shares the family’s practical approach: understand what the guest wants, read the conditions and choose the fishing area and technique that offer a reasonable opportunity that day.

Captain Hazi Verde

Hazi is Nato’s son and represents the next generation of the Verde family.

He grew up around the boats, equipment and conversations that shape a fishing day. Although he is earlier in his guiding career than Nato, Ezequiel and Tayo, he is not approaching the water as an outsider.

Hazi is learning from three experienced family guides while developing his own relationship with guests and the waters surrounding San Pedro.

Four guides supported by a working fleet

The Verde family’s guiding operation is supported by:

• Four 23-foot Guatemalan and Mexican-style flats boats
• Flats boats powered by 60- and 70-horsepower motors
• One 25-foot boat with a 200-horsepower motor for reef fishing, snorkeling and Caye Caulker trips
• Locally cut bush-stick push poles for positioning the flats boats
• Fishing rods and equipment maintained for the different trip types

The specific boat used depends on the trip, group and fishing area. Fly-fishing trips normally accommodate two active anglers, with a third guest rotating rather than fishing simultaneously.

One family, one shared standard

Every guide has his own personality and strengths. Captain Nato’s Charters does not try to present four people as though they are interchangeable.

What they share is a family standard:

• Speak to guests respectfully
• Be patient with beginners
• Take experienced anglers seriously
• Explain what the conditions allow
• Maintain the boats and equipment
• Avoid guaranteeing catches
• Adjust the plan when weather or visibility changes
• Help guests understand the water—not merely hand them a rod

A family operation also creates accountability. The name on the business belongs to the same family operating the boats and guiding the trips.

Which Verde family guide will lead your trip?

Guide assignments depend on availability, trip type and the kind of fishing requested.

If you have a preferred guide, mention that when enquiring. Captain Nato’s Charters will confirm whether that person is available. If not, you may be guided by another member of the Verde family who follows the same operational and guest-service standards.

Before booking, provide:

• Your preferred date
• Number of guests
• Fishing experience
• Target species
• Preferred fishing method
• Half-day or full-day preference
• Accommodation on Ambergris Caye
• Whether children or non-anglers are joining

This information helps the family match the trip, boat and guide to your group.

Fish San Pedro with the Verde family

Whether you are pursuing permit on a fly, introducing your child to reef fishing or trying saltwater fishing for the first time, the guide matters as much as the boat.

Contact Captain Nato’s Charters to check availability and plan a private fishing trip with the Verde family.