BONEFISH (Albula vulpes)
Bonefish can be found in all tropical shallow waters with sandy flats where they are protected from Giant Travelly, Sharks and Baracuda. They come into flats with incoming tide to fees from the bottom with there underside situated mouth. They can seep threw sand looking for worms, fry, crustaceans and mollusks. They can be fond in schools, individually or pairs. They can grow up to 41 inches (105 cm) and weight as much as 19lb (8,6 kg). They are one of the fastest fish on the flats making them one of best sport fish around. They are also more often in the mood to eat then other species like permit. Know good fly fishing places worldwide are: Florida, Bahamas, Venezuela, Seychelles, Maldives, Belize, Mauritius, Mexico, Cuba. Like Permit also Bonefish like to hang around Stingrays feeding from disturbed bottom.
Bonefish flies:
Bonefish feed on flats. There diet is worms, fry, crustaceans and molluscs. There are many different fly patterns designed specially for Bonefish. Most of the flies represent shrimps or minnows. Since they are bottom dwellers flies need to be tied up side down, to be fished on the bottom with hook pointing up.
Equipment:
Ideal Bonefish fly rod would be 7 to 8wt, with floating line followed by 9 to 12ft leader ending with 10 or 12lb tippet. In Maldives there is less fishing pressure for Bonefish, so most of the time we can get away with 20lb tippet. Reel needs to have smooth drag, since they are known for fast runs.
