Bonefish general
Bonefish are a schooling fish found in the warm waters of the tropics including the florida keys from Biscayne bay to Key West. Florida water produces the largest bonefish with the average being about 6-7 lbs. The fact that they move onto the shallow flat to forage for food makes them available for the classic sight casting developed by the fly fishers. Their long powerful runs when hooked make bonefish one of the most sought salt water species.

Special tackle, technique and knowledge of bonefish habits are required for a hook-up. See also, flats fly fishing.

• Bonefish are opportunistic bottom feeders.
• Bonefish moving onto the flats are hungry and ready to eat anything
• Bonefish are more selective after satisfying hunger.
• Bonefish have excellent eyesight and sense of smell.
• Bonefish like water temperatures between 63 and 93 degrees.
• Bonefish are most active in water temperatures of 75 to 83 degrees.
• Bonefish coloring of silver sides and olive top make them very difficult to detect.
• Bonefish avoid bright light.
• Bonefish bag limit 1 per person per day.
• Bonefish size limit 18".
• Bonefish food value is considered poor but sport value excellent so release very gently.
• Bonefish are very nervous on the flats and run at any sign of danger.

Tidal influence

Tides have a strong influence on bonefish movements. Generally, they hold in deeper water adjacent to a flat and move up with the tide. Rising tides in early morning or at dusk are good for bone fishing. At high tide plus or minus an hour bonefish are likely to be mudding on the flats. On weak tides bonefish stay with the strongest currents at the edges of the flats. They will not necessarily move to the highest level of a flat during high tide. If they don't, look for them on the flat but at the edges or deeper levels. During the periods of strongest tide and lower light levels they are most apt to move to the "skinny water" areas of the flat.

Seasonal weather Influences

Although influenced by weather conditions, bone fishing can be good all year.

Summer

In the summertime bonefish avoid the hot bright days by staying in the deeper water around the flats. The best time to fish the flats is early morning before the tropical sun raises the water temperature and light levels out of the bonefish comfort level. Late evenings can also be good fishing particularly if coinciding with an incoming tide bringing cool water. Overcast days and thunderstorms may keep the water temperature and light levels down to levels that will bring the bones to the flats. Fish the lighter colored flats which heats the water less than the dark colored flats. Also, the deeper flats rather than the skinniest. Windy days can provide relief from the high water temperatures with the added benefit of less spooky conditions on the calm surface.

Winter

In the winter bone fishing can be very good. The largest bonefish are often caught this time of year but fishing must be coordinated with the prevailing weather pattern of cold front followed by clearing and warming. Water temperature is the factor most influencing bonefish movements in the winter. Severe cold fronts can stop bonefish from visiting the flats. After the front passes the bones will be looking for warm water to make their forages onto the flat. Large dark colored flats are a likely place. They are readily heated by the sun and are ready for the bones by late afternoon. Unlike other times of the year, incoming tides in winter bring water to the flats that is too cool for bonefish. However, a late high tide that has been heated can be good fishing on the flat and when the tide begins to drop the heated water flows into cuts and channels where bonefish will wait for the benefits of the warm water and the food that is being washed off the flat.

Spring and Fall

Bone fishing is great in the spring and fall. The water temperatures and light levels on the flats are suitable and the bones may be working the flats at any time of the day. There is generally enough wind this time of year keeping the surface agitated enough to prevent spooking the bones. In the Fall there are very few flyfishers to take advantage of the great conditions. This is considered by many to be the best time of year for bone fishing.

Bonefish food

Bonefish move onto the shallow forbidding flat only to hunt for food. They are opportunists hunters and will eat anything that resembles food. The shallow warm water flats are rich with many forms of marine life including; various shrimp and crab species, marine worms, cusk, small fish and other undefined critters. Shrimp and crabs make up most of their diet.

Bonefish flies

Bonefish flies should imitate or suggest some natural food found on the flats. Since most bonefish food is dull in color, every fly box should include flies that reflect this fact. See the "tackle shop" for selections of the classic and new style epoxy bonefish flies.

There is a rule of thumb for choosing which fly to use:

The Fly should match the color of the flat.
Light flat-light fly
Dark flat-dark fly

If this fly is refused, change to a different color or size and try again.

Depth of water is an important consideration for fly selection. Tailing fish in skinny water require a very soft presentation. A small unweighted fly on a #4 to #2 size hook should be used in this situation.
Bones that are mudding in deeper water should be presented a weighted fly on hook size #2 to #1.
For very calm conditions in skinny water, flies on hook size #8 to #6 cause much less disturbance on the water. Visit "tackleshop" for more information.

Bonefish Tackle

A bonefish flyrod should be 9 feet long, graphite with fast action. They may be 6 weight, 7 weight, 8 weight or 9 weight.
The default rod size for saltwater flyfishing is generally considered to be a 9 foot 9 weight. While a 9 weight may be slightly heavy for bonefish, the possibility of hooking other species such as small tarpon or shark make this the best compromise outfit. Also, a 9 weight casts better in windy conditions.
The 8 weight may be the best all around size rod for bonefish.
The 7 weight and 8 weight are adequate for bonefish under most conditions. The 7 weight is best in the hands of the angler most skilled in fish fighting.
For calm, clear conditions in skinny water a 6 weight rod with its lighter flyline may cause less impact on the water and therefore spook less bonefish. If using the lighter tackle, keep the fight time short as possible and release the fish quickly. See fish fighting.

The reel need not be an expensive investment. It should be of quality construction and annodized (non-corrosive) for the saltwater environment. It should have a strong smooth drag system. Single action is the accepted option for flyfishing reels and it should have the capacity for holding the flyline plus plenty of backing.

The flyline should be floating weight forward in the weight that matches your flyrod.
The backing should be 200 yards of 20 lb test micron.
The leader standard is 9 feet long tapered down to 10 - 12 lb test.
Good quality leaders can be bought but if building your own use the following standard.

Butt section           50 lb test          4 1/2 feet
Taper to               40 lb test          1 1/2 feet
Taper to               30 lb test          1       foot
Taper to               20 lb test             8 inches
Class tippet        10-12 lb test             15 inches minimum IGFA

                           Total length    9 feet

IGFA regulation: Shock tippet no longer than 12". class tippet at least 15" between knots.

Knots

Butt section to flyline        use    Interlocking loops
Tapered  sections              use    blood knot or surgeons knot
Taper to class tippet          use    blood knot or surgeons knot

Use the same manufacturer for all tests of leader material to insure that the knots tighten up and hold properly. Be sure to lubricate all knots when tightening. Saliva works very well. Soft monofilament is better than the hard monofilament.
For different weather, wind or species of fish, you may adjust the lengths and test of the above leader construction. Try to maintain the proportions for the sake of casting performance. See "tackle shop" for more information.

Bonefishing Methods

Several game fish species may be found on the flats. Methods of fishing for them are very similar. Fly fishing the Flats discusses these common methods, equipment and other important flats information. Must reading for the new salt water flyfishers.

There are four methods for bonefishing.

• 1) Wading
• 2) Boat poling
• 3) Staking out known paths
• 4) Chumming

Wading

Wading is the quietest most stealthy way to fish for the wary bonefish. Concentration is the key to success.
Watch for feeding bonefish. They reveal their location by making "muds" on the bottom while grubbing for food. Sting rays also make muds. These should be investigated as bonefish often follow the rays and wait for them to flush out food. In either situation move slowly and quietly into casting range and drop the fly up current so that the fly settles into or near the mud. If necessary, move the fly just enough to get the attention of the bone.
Look for tailing bonefish. Tailing refers to fish feeding face down in water so shallow that their tail protrudes above the surface of the water. This is very easy to see and an exciting target for flyfishers. Tailing bonefish can be the hardest to catch because they are in shallow water and at the height of alert. This situation requires a very soft presentation of a small fly placed within inches of the fish.
Look for head waking bonefish. Waking fish refers to fish swimming just under water causing a noticeable "wave" on the surface. Also known as humping water. For headwaking bonefish cast 6-7 feet ahead and allow the fly to sink to the fishes level. Move the fly slowly.

Boat poling

Poling slowly and quietly with the current is the standard method of boating the flats.
Going with the current offers two advantages. You can meet bones hunting into the current with an easy head on presentation. Also, it is easier to control the boat when going with the current. The flyfisher and the boat poler both are looking for the same bonefish activity as the wading flyfisher. This method requires coordination between poler and fisher. See also "flyfishing the flats".

Staking out

Bonefish often follow regular trails on the flats. If you observe bones using the same route more than once, they may use it many times in the future. Pick a good casting spot, show up early and wait for the bones. Its important to remember that these trails may vary with time of day, tidal phase and season.

Chumming

Chumming is effective method to draw bones to the flyfisher.
Bonefish use sense of smell and eyesight to hunt for food.
Chumming attracts bonefish very effectively. Don't over chum or other species will show up such as sharks, needlefish ect. Chumming is good when sight conditions are poor. Anchor the boat up current of a light colored area of bottom adjacent to some deeper water where incoming bonefish can be easily seen. Cut up several shrimp into small chunks and throw them into a visible area then wait and watch down current for the bones to follow the smell across the light colored area and into casting range. Wait quietly and don't let your shadow fall on the chum.
A chumming tube is an effective tool for drawing bones. It prevents the chum from washing away and prevents loss from unwanted fish. Use a 2' section of 2" pvc pipe with 1/4" holes drilled throughout.Two end caps, one fixed and one removeable . Fill with pieces of shrimp and/or crab and hang over the side of the boat.

Rod and Line Handling Techniques

In shallow water the fly casting skills of the angler are tested. The fly must be presented softly to a small target area as quickly as possible. This is no place for line slap or excessive false casting. If the first cast is off target, Pick up the line and cast again quickly. If the cast is good, drop the rod tip to the surface of the water pointed at the fly while all the time watching the fish. While taking up the slack line decide how you should move the fly based on the position and movements of the fish. If the bone sees the fly, move it very little or not at all. If the fly is not seen try a short hop to imitate a crab or shrimp movement. These movements should be made by the line hand and not by moving the rod tip. The rod tip movement does not give enough control. Reassess the bonefishes demeanor and move the fly accordingly. Remember: Never strip the fly toward the fish. They regard this as an attack and leave instantly. When the bonefish sees the fly and gets ready to eat you can tell by the change in body movements. When they dip down to take the fly give a little slack and allow it to move off . When the line comes snug set the hook with a gentle pull with the line hand.
After the hook up the bonefish will take off on a long run. You can't stop him so don't try. Just keep the rod tip high and clear all of the slack line. When the fish is on the reel continue with the rod held up to keep as much line out of the water as possible. This helps to stay clear of sea fans, sponges, coral ect. Keep pressure on the bonefish and take back line when you can. Be ready to move your knuckles away from the reel handle for another short run or two. Use your fish fighting skills to bring the fish in quickly as possible to prevent over taxing. This will help insure their survival .
Release the bonefish quickly and gently. Try to keep them in the water and move them so as to help water over the gills until they regain equilibrium. They are safe to handle.

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