MLKFISH (Chanos chanos)
Milkfish can reach 70 inches (180cm), 30lb (14kg), and is indigenous to tropical waters of Indo-Pacific. They are not predatory, but are omnivores, feeding on algae and small invertebrates. They tend to school around costal areas and can be found on flats during high tides.
Milkfish flies:
Milkfish are omnivores, but mainly they eat algae. So fishing for them is completely different then fishing for predatory fish species. In this case fly needs to be stationary or slowly drifted threw the feeding school. Fly needs to stay in the feeding area as long as possible, preferably hover or sink slowly, imitating algae. It can be done on the flats also when tides are high and Milkfish come to feed in the scum area.
Equipment:
For milkfish 10 to 12wt, 9ft rods are used. Reels are extremely important, since they need to have strong and smooth drag since they are one the hardest fighters. Thing of them like big bonefish that never get tired. We prefer to use longer leaders ending with 20lb tippet.