Bonefish - Permit - Tarpon - Barracuda - Snook

Bonefish

IGFA Record 19 lbs.

Average Weight 2 - 6 lbs.

Bonefish are available seasonally. With the Tarpon, the Bonefish vies for the title of Shallow Water King. It's found worldwide in tropical seas, and remains the most sought after gamefish on the flats. Also known as the "Gray Ghost", the Bonefish is a mighty difficult fish to spot, requiring concentration and keen eyesight. Once you learn what they look like, you discover the fish's shadow is easier to see than the Bonefish itself. This silver streak is the number one quarry on the flats. More skinny-water anglers chase Bonefish than all other flats-species combined, the various sharks, barracuda, and permit. Once hooked, the Bonefish will streak for what seems to be the nearest mangrove root, log or rock. After reaching open water, they scream this way and that, not being too sure of freedom's direction.

FLY FISHING EQUIPMENT & TACKLE

Bonefish are among the most popular flyrod opponents. Most flats anglers prefer 8 to 10-weight outfits. Fishing balanced 10-weight fly gear, a fisherman has an all-round tropical rod. Completed with a top-grade reel, the outfit is suitable for the vast majority of shallow-water species-- Bonefish, Barracuda, Permit, Snappers, Lemon and Blacktip Sharks. The rod should be a 9-footer, second or third generation graphite, and have excellent casting qualities. The cast is everything, in its accuracy and potential distance, if you are Bonefishing. Rod specialists like Penn, Sage, L.L. Bean, G. Loomis, Orvis, Lamiglass and Fenwick all produce a light graphite rod capable of subduing Bones and other flats species. Bonefish fly reels don't have to be inordinately large, but they certainly need an excellent drag. A smooth drag, easy starting, is a key to Bonefish success. The market has an abundance of models, all carrying 8 to 10-weight floating or intermediate sinking lines plus 200 to 300 yards of 20-lb test dacron backing. Reels include those by Penn, Fin-Nor, Pate, Catino, Sci-Anglers, and STH. Fly fishermen pass on the Shock Leader, tying the fly directly to the Class Tippet. Depending on the size of local Bones, the tippet can vary from 8 to 16 lb test.

SPINNING EQUIPMENT & TACKLE

Spinning tackle remains the most popular gear for Bonefish. Here, the tackle can vary according to the size of the fish. In Yucatan, Mexico, the Bones run smaller. With these fish of 2 to 6 pounds, you can break out the freshwater spinning tackle.