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Bonefishing In the Abacos To learn about bone fishing with the legendary Ronnie Sawyer, please click here Shaped like fork-tailed torpedoes and damn near as speedy, bonefish (Albula vulpes) are some of the most challenging fish you can catch on a fly. Hook one and it'll rocket away at up to 30 miles per hour-so fast the line will seem to melt from your reel and the backing will zip off in seconds. Then, just when you think it's hurdled the horizon, it'll come back for another round (a typical bonefish is good for at least two exhilarating runs before it tires). Up to 37 inches long and weighing from three to (if you're lucky) 20 pounds, bonefish cruise shallow saltwater flats gobbling shrimps, crabs, and worms. Because they're difficult to spot and easily spooked, casting for bonefish takes some practice, and stealth is a requirement: If you can see them, they can see you. But snag just one and you'll see why anglers travel the world in pursuit of these elusive silver phantoms. Bonefish are widely distributed throughout the world. Anglers pursue them from the far reaches of the South Pacific to Venezuela to parts of the Indian Ocean. Size varies from a fraction of a pound to over 20 pounds. In the Keys (and Bahamas), fish average 7-8 pounds and fish of world record proportions are seen regularly. Fish of 10 pounds or more are considered a true trophy fish and perhaps a fish of a lifetime. Geographical Distributions Bay of Fundy to Brazil. Most common in the Bahamas, Southern Florida, The Florida Keys, and the Caribbean. Tactics Bonefish are "hunted" on the flats in a water depth of 6 inches to 3 feet. This is sight fishing by pure definition. We will see every fish before we cast to it. I will pole the boat into position to (be able to) put the best possible cast in front of the fish. Most fish will be tailing, but we might also pursue deeper water mudding or cruising fish. Sometimes the fish are in water too shallow for the boat, in which case we may wade after them. Tackle Fly rods of 6-9 weight are the best choice with the 8 weight being the standard bonefish rod. Reels capable of holding 150 yards of backing and equipped with a good drag system are necessary. Generally I use a floating, weight forward fly line with a leader tapered to 8-12 pound test monofiliment. Seasons - March-November |
