Part Four: Reels, lines, techniques and bait for
bonefish
FLY REEL RECOMMENDATIONS
Reels should be anodized, corrosion-resistant saltwater models
that will hold a full fly line, plus approximately 100 yards of
20-lb. backing. Reels with a high quality, smooth, drag are essential
to prevent break-offs from the blistering runs of hooked fish.
A few examples: Abel No. 2 (very durable), Scientific Anglers
System Two 8/9, or Orvis Odyssey 3.
FLY-LINES
Floating fly lines are all that are necessary. We recommend either
Scientific Anglers Ultra 2 or Mastery Series (in the bright colors
for a visual aid) or something with a similar taper construction.
Note: We recommend that you carry at least one extra spool/line
in case you damage your line.
FLY-LEADERS
A tapered leader of nine feet or longer is highly recommended.
The most simple solution is to buy the pre-tied bonefish leaders
by Climax or Orvis and then use separate spools of 8 (3X), 10
(2X), and 12 (1X) pound tippet for added length. If the fish are
leader shy, try using slightly smaller tippet material. If the
fish are spooking when the fly line hits the water, try using
a longer tippet section. This will reduce your chance of spooking
the fish.
SPINNING/CASTING TECHNIQUE
Spin fishing for bonefish can be very effective when done correctly.
The most important thing to remember is that the presentation
with a spinning rod is not as delicate as that of a fly rod. Great
care must be taken to avoid spooking the fish.
SPINNING PRESENTATION
When fish are spotted, it will be important to determine what
the fish are doing (cruising, tailing or mudding).
1. If the fish are mudding in deeper water, you
don't need to worry about spooking them and can simply cast your
offering across or within the mud cloud and retrieve it.
2. Tailing fish are more wary so care should be
taken to avoid spooking them. When presenting your lure, it's
best to cast beyond the fish (over 10 feet with the line almost
directly on top of the fish); then retrieve the lure directly
toward it. When the lure reaches the vicinity of where the bone
is feeding, slow the lure down and bounce it through its line
of vision. If it doesn't respond, repeat the process until the
fish spots your offering.
3. Cruising fish are the most difficult to catch
due to their extremely wary condition. Once fish are spotted,
you must be able to quickly and accurately place your offering
well in front of its path (over 25 feet is safest). If the fish
are continually spooking, try using a slightly lighter leader
or a different lure.
SPINNING LURES
Recommended Lures: Lead head jigs and live bait are the preferred
choice among spin fishermen for bonefish.
JIGS
Jigs: The most popular and productive jigs are 1/8 oz. bucktails
(Wiggle Jigs) and Spin Charlies in pink, white/brown, and sand/brown.
Two-inch soft plastic jigs with 1/8 oz. lead heads are also a
good choice. Colors: white, yellow, motor oil, chartreuse, pink,
smoke, and pumpkin seed. 1/8 bz. saltwater lead heads are recommended.
LIVE BAIT
Live Bait: At times, when artificial lures are not producing,
small crabs make excellent bait. If you want to fish with crabs,
tell your guide the day before. A 1/8 oz. slip sinker, small swivel,
and a Mustad 9174 O'Shaughnessy # 4 bait hook or a 1/8 oz. wiggle
jig are generally used.
SPINNING RODS
Rods: Should be light to medium-action and long enough to keep
running fish from breaking off on coral and other obstacles. High
modular rods will greatly increase rod sensitivity. A few examples
are as follows:
Loomis IM6 Spinning, 7 ft., 2-pc. for lure wt. 1/16 to 5/16 oz.
Orvis 6-1/2 ft., for lure wt. 3/16 to 1/2 oz.
Abu-Garcia IM6 Graphite, 7 ft., 2-pc. for lure wt 1/4 to 5/8 oz.
Fenwick HMG, Spinning, 7 ft., 2 pc. for lure wt. 1/8 to 3/8 oz.
SPINNING REELS
Reels should be able to hold at least 200 yards of 6-lb. test.
A smooth drag is essential to avoid breaking off fish. Here are
a few examples:
Diawa — Whisker Tournament SS 1600
Shimano — Any of the Aero Series, B A 6-10 model.
Orvis — # 2 spinning reel.
Penn — Spinfisher 430SS.
SPINNING/CASTING LINE
A limp monofilament such as Abu-Garcia's Ultra Castor DuPont Magna
Thin. If you're fishing in and around mangroves, 8 lb. test is
recommended, but 6 lb. is ideal under most conditions. You are
usually using very light jigs so be sure that your line is light
enough to cast them.
