When it comes to fly fishing for bonefish, there is no other fish that compares. These crafty and graceful fish can be a challenge to catch, but with the right techniques, you’ll be able to land one every time. In this post, we will cover the basics of how to catch bonefish. So whether you’re a seasoned angler or just getting started, read on for some helpful tips!
Where To Find Them?
Some anglers are under the impression that there are no bonefish in Florida’s inshore waters. This is not true. Bonefish are very abundant, except for the most southern regions of Florida where they are rare or nonexistent.
Where there are bones, you will find them in many different sizes and numbers. In Florida’s southernmost waters, including the entire Florida Keys, bonefish do exist but they are not abundant enough to easy go out and catch limits for dinner or fill a livewell with enough fish to fill your ice chest on your way home from the flats. In the Florida Bay and along the coasts of Monroe, Dade, and Broward counties traveling a few miles up or down coast will yield fish in sizes from 5 to 12 pounds. On calm days fish 15 to 30 pounds are possible on these same flats.
Inland from these areas bonefish exist in larger numbers but tend not to be so large. You can catch enough for dinner in much less time than you could on the open flats, but you will need to be willing to work hard for them. Even though bonefish are somewhat abundant in these areas, it is still necessary to stalk or lure them into range because they don’t hang around one spot waiting for a meal to swim by. In these inshore areas, bonefish will be found in mangrove shorelines and grass flats.
When Is The Best Time To Catch Bonefish?
The best time to catch a bonefish is when the conditions are right. Bonefish have been known to be caught at any time of day, and in many different types of weather. Bonefish are typically more active in the morning hours, right when the sun comes up over the horizon. This is because they follow their food, which tends to come out into open water at this time of day. During this time the water is cool, and tends to have very clear visibility. The morning hours are typically the best time of day to catch bonefish.
After sunrise, many bonefish will return to deeper waters where it’s cooler. This is because they are ectothermic creatures, meaning they rely on outside sources for their body heat. After peak feeding time, you’ll have to start thinking more about your presentation. Bonefish have been known to be caught all day long, so don’t think that the only time you will get a shot is when it’s early in the morning.
How To Catch Bonefish?
Rod
The best way of doing it is by choosing the right type of rod meant for catching bonefish. There are a number of factors that you need to put into consideration when choosing the right rod, which include:
First, you must know what type of weather you will be fishing in. In most cases, bonefish are near the beach and during the night or early morning hours. You also have to check how calm it is at that time so as to know the kind of rod to buy.
After you have known what type of conditions and time you will be fishing, then check the size of the fish that you want to catch. There are different types of rods for catching both large and small fish. You need to ensure that you get a quality one because it might lead to injuries if your hook does not release from the mouth of the fish.
The size of your boat or location where you will be fishing has a lot to do with the right rod to choose. In case, for instance, you are going near rocks then it is advisable that you use shorter rods as they will be more stable and suitable enough for this kind of situation.
There are a number of companies that offer a wide range of rods for catching bonefish. It is therefore important to consider checking various options from different brands before you decide on the right one. You also have to put into consideration your budget when buying your rod so as not to buy something that will break in no time due to poor quality.
Lastly, the equipment you already have on board matters a lot when choosing your rod. This is because some companies make rods of different designs that are compatible with the ones offered by other brands.
Reel
The first thing you need to consider is the size of your new fishing reel. Bonefish are known to be larger than other game fish, therefore, you’ll need a larger sized spinning rod and reel. Keep in mind that when looking at the length of a bonefish it can range from 4 to 8 lbs. The rod length you purchase should be 10’6″ long with a fast action to it. This type of fish has a very small mouth, so the size of the reel has to be large enough to handle line weights from 20-30 lbs.
Another important aspect you need to consider is your gear ratio on your fishing reel. Bonefish are usually found in shallow water, so you’ll need a large gear ratio so the fish won’t have any problem getting away from you. If your fishing reel is too slow taking up the line after each turn, then it will be very difficult for you to land one of these game fish.
The drag system on your fishing reel is very important to bonefish anglers. Bonefish are known for their strength, so you’ll need a high-powered drag system on your fishing reel. It will give you greater control of keeping the fish in line while fighting.
Line
Choosing a fishing line for bonefish is no easy task. There are so many choices out there it can be confusing, frustrating and downright difficult to pick the right one. The most popular lines used for bonefishing is between 8-20 lb test and the standard diameter is 0.015″-0.022″. There are many factors that go into choosing which line to use such as wind, watercolor, fish size and many others. If it is windy, you may need to go up in the test and/or diameter line because the lighter line will cut through the wind easier than a heavier line. The watercolor also plays a big role in which line you should use. If the water has alot of sediments like dirt or clay particles, you should go with a heavier test to make sure the fish can’t see it and get spooked.
You will notice that larger bonefish eat many times bigger than smaller ones and they can put up a pretty good fight for their size. We say if the fish is over 10 lb, go with 12-15 lb test.
Smaller bonefish under 5lb can be a little more difficult to catch because they are spooked much easier from the boat or from other fish jumping around them. In this case we recommend going down in line size for example, if you want to use 10 lb, go with 8 lb test. This can be a big change from what most people are used to, but it will help you out alot in the long run and get more fish into the boat.
Bait
One of the most challenging aspects of fishing for bonefish is selecting your bait and determining how to put it on a hook. You can’t take for granted that the fish will jump at every offering you present, no matter how good it looks, smells or tastes. Just because you read online that someone had success with a particular type of bait doesn’t mean the fish in your area will be equally receptive. Bonefish are notoriously fickle and you need to experiment with a variety of offerings before you can expect to find one that consistently attracts these wary denizens of the flats.
To complicate matters, bonefish feed in many different ways. Some prefer live bait, while others go after fresh cut bait. Some fish will single out smaller items like shrimp, while others seem to prefer larger bait like crabs or small fish. You need to figure out what each individual bonefish likes. You can’t assume they all want the same thing, it’s why they are so wary!
Conclusion
Bonefishing is one of the most popular saltwater angling sports in the world. The challenge of stalking and catching a bonefish on light tackle is something that attracts anglers to this fishery. Anglers who pursue bonefish often spend years perfecting their skills so they can successfully land these wily fish. We hope that after reading this article, you will be able to go out and catch your own bonefish.