Bonefish Fishing Guide

The bonefish (Albula vulpes) is the 'gray ghost' of the tropical saltwater flats — an extraordinarily cautious, fast, powerful fish whose pursuit has spawned an entire discipline of fly fishing. Bonefish are not targeted for food in the US — they are essentially devoted to catch-and-release because of their enormous recreational value. A hooked bonefish in the 8-10 pound range will strip 100 yards of line from a reel in seconds, running repeatedly until exhausted — one of the most demanding fights in the sport on light fly tackle. They are found on shallow tropical flats across the Caribbean and Indo-Pacific, feeding in water sometimes less than a foot deep. The Bahamas, Florida Keys, and Belize are the top US and near-US destinations for bonefish on the flats.

Bonefish is a saltwater species.

Habitat

Shallow tropical sand, marl, and grass flats of the Florida Keys, Bahamas, and Caribbean; found in water 6 inches to 4 feet deep. Follow tidal movements onto flats on the flood tide and retreat to deeper water as the tide ebbs — predictable patterns that experienced guides exploit.

Diet

Shrimp, crabs, and small worms rooted from the sand and marl, often creating visible "mudding" (clouds of disturbed substrate) as they feed. Tailing bonefish — their tails and backs breaking the surface as they feed — are the target of sight-fishing presentations.

Fishing Techniques

• Fly fishing with crab and shrimp imitations on flats
• Sight-fishing with spinning and live shrimp
• Casting to tailing fish

Best Seasons

Spring, Summer, Fall

Size & Records

Average weight: 5 lbs. World record: 16.5 lbs (Zululand, South Africa (1962)).