by John Kumiski
You want to catch a bonefish, or better yet several, on artificial lures or fly tackle. You've heard bonefishing is difficult. You've heard you need an expensive guide. You despair of ever achieving your dream.
You can catch bonefish. You can catch them on your own. You can crack the bonefish mystique, and this article tells you one way to do it!
Lots of bonefishing is expensive. If you visit Long Key State Park bonefishing doesn't have to be. If you like to do things yourself, you don't need a guide. You can camp in the state park right next to the bonefish flat or stay in a nearby motel. If you stay in a motel stop by the park the day before you intend to fish and make arrangements with the park rangers to enter the park before it opens in the morning. They'll charge you a nominal fee for this.
EQUIPMENT
One thing that anyone attempting to catch these fish absolutely must have in order to be successful is the right equipment and a plan for using it. Topping the list of necessities are a wide brimmed hat and good polarized sunglasses with brown or dark amber lenses. Under the best of conditions these fish are hard to see. Without these two items your chances are poor. Wading shoes to protect your feet from rocks and other bottom debris and sunscreen to protect your skin from an often blistering Keys sun are also important.
You can choose either fly or spin tackle. Both types of tackle have certain distinct advantages. While sight fishing, a spin fisherman can have his lure on its way to spotted fish within a second of seeing them, without the need to false cast. He can react faster. But a relatively heavy spinning lure hits the water with a heavy splash compared to a fly, and that splashdown can spook an entire school of wary bonefish. Flies may take a couple seconds longer to get there, but the presentation is much quieter and so oftentimes it's more effective.
Depending on wind conditions, fly fishermen could use any rod between a six- and nine-weight. A quality reel with lots of backing (at least 150 yards of 20 pound Dacron) is a must. The fish average a fairly large size (5-6 pounds) and once hooked they will scream line off in a hurry. Use a weight-forward floating line. Long leaders are preferred, between 9 and 12 feet or even more depending on wind conditions, tapered down to a ten or eight pound tippet.
Fly selection need not be complicated. Carry weighted and unweighted flies in sizes 4, 2,
and 1. Make sure some are light in color and others are dark. Personally, I only use four patterns in most bonefishing situations- the snapping shrimp, the bonefish special, Clouser minnows in chartreuse/white and brown/white, and some small crab patterns for tailing fish.
Spin fishermen need a six to seven foot light action rod, a good quality reel packed with eight pound test, and a similarly small lure selection. Bonefish jigs (or wiggle jigs as they are also called) in 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 ounce sizes in pink, tan, and brown, and some DOA shrimp in the 3" size in both light and dark colors will cover most needs.
While some anglers will tie a Bimini twist in the end of their line and then will tie the lure to the doubled line, this really isn't needed for bonefish. Simply tie the fly or lure directly to the end of the line or leader.
Regardless of what type of tackle you use, bring a lot of lures. Bonefish flats often teem with small barracuda. They will appear out of nowhere to attack your bait and sever the line, thereby "liberating" your lure. Make sure to bring extras or you may find yourself out of the game rather quickly.
TECHNIQUES
Summertime bonefishing anywhere in the Keys is usually an early morning proposition, and Long Key is no exception. The sun heats up the water and by mid-afternoon most bonefish flats are too hot for the fish. Activities of bathers and boaters, which usually start around 10:00 AM or so, chase any sun worshiping fish off anyway. So plan to fish as soon as it is light enough to see.
During the spring and fall the fish will feed on the flats any time of day, as long as swimmers aren't in the water making a fuss. It gets windy this time of year and if the water gets muddy the game is up. But if the weather is good the fishing can be tremendous. Fall is off season in the Keys and you may have the entire flat to yourself.
During the winter water temperature is again critical. Bones usually won't feed in water less than 70 degrees. If the weather is cool, late afternoon is the best time of day to fish since the water will be warmest then. Swimmers aren't usually a problem during winter, either.
Given the choice fish a low tide. If you can catch a low outgoing at the best time of day when you're there, you can get two or three hours when the fish will be tailing. On the ocean side of Long Key, the current on the incoming tide moves from northeast to southwest. The fish always move into the current. So by "going with the flow" while wading, you'll have the sun at your back. Casts to fish will generally be head-on shots, too- the most effective kind. Expert bonefisherman Chico Fernandez describes bonefish feeding behavior this way- "When the tide is low and the fish first move onto the flats, they are hungry. After they've been feeding for a few hours they become much more selective." It makes sense. Bones are easier early in the tide.
This having been said, time of day is sometimes more critical than tide phase. Again, this is normally during summer, when morning fishing is best, and during winter, when evening fishing is best. Keep in mind you must actually be fishing to catch any fish!
If you must fish during the day in the summer, an incoming tide is a necessity. Cooler ocean water coming onto the flat will allow the fish a degree of comfort they would not have otherwise. The situation is reversed during the winter. The sun warms up water that's been on the flat a while enough to allow the fish to use it. This happens during the later stages of the incoming tide and the early stages of the outgoing.
Slowly wade with the current looking for anything which might be a bonefish. If there are no fish tailing or pushing wakes (and most of the time there won't be) look for "muds". Often when the fish feed on the bottom they throw up a small puff of mud. This is a clear indication that feeding bones are in the vicinity.
Cast to everything that looks like it might be a fish. Make your casts fall short a few feet, letting the lure sink to the bottom if necessary. The lure will be between you and the fish, but they'll be moving toward you. As soon as you think they're close enough to see it, move it slowly while watching the fish.
If they see it there will be no doubts about it. They do one of three things- flee in abject terror, come check it out and refuse it, or come check it out and eat it.
If they flee, the lure was fouled with grass, or moved at them, or was too close to them before it moved. If they refuse it, check the lure. If it is not fouled with grass or algae, change to a different color. If they eat it, set the hook GENTLY. When the fish takes off, it will take care of hook setting, believe me.
If you see fish pushing up a wake, cast several feet ahead of it and move the lure SLOWLY. Sometimes when the fish are pushing a wake, they are swimming fast, with an obvious agenda, and aren't interested in eating. If they don't strike don't let this bother you.
Tailing fish are eating, though. With spin tackle a lure like the DOA Standard Shrimp that doesn't make a huge splash when it hits the water is a good choice. Fly tackle actually works better for tailing fish since the fly hits the water so delicately.
With spin tackle put the lure a foot or two ahead of the fish. You want the splash to be heard but not threatening. Hopefully the fish will come to investigate, see the shrimp (just barely TWITCH it) and eat it.
Flies can be put closer to the fish. A small crab fly made from wool, or my Fuzzy Crab pattern, are good choices. These flies hit the water with a soft, seductive "splat", sink rapidly into the feeding zone, and perfectly imitate a favorite bonefish food. Crab flies don't even need to be moved. If the fish sees it and wasn't spooked by the presentation they'll usually eat it immediately.
If this is your first bonefish, at this point your life may change forever! Fly fishermen first must clear the line. If it fouls on anything the leader will instantly break, you'll have a super adrenaline rush, and will be out the fly. Once the fish is on the reel, and for spin fishermen also, extend the rod into the air. The fish run right along the bottom. You want to hold the line up so that it doesn't fray on coral, rocks, sea fans, or other things.
Let the fish run! If you try to stop or even slow him he'll break off. With either type of tackle, make sure the drag is set loosely.
After that first incredible run is over he will take a couple more shorter ones. Once you've beaten him, handle the fish gently. Leave him in the water if possible. If not, hold the fish parallel to the water's surface and belly up. They have no teeth or spines and are quite safe to handle. Remove the lure (barbless hooks are recommended), revive him until he can swim away, and release him to grow and thrill another fisherman. And congratulations to you!
All of the above supposes that you have good visibility. But if you're fishing early/late in the day, or if it is overcast, or if you are not used to looking for fish, seeing bonefish in the water can be very difficult. They can still be caught by blindcasting.
All other things being equal, the fish will be on their favorite flats feeding when weather conditions allow it. If you're there too you might just get a couple.
When you use this blind casting technique for bonefish lure choice is important. You want a lure you can cover a lot of water with reasonably quickly. With spinning tackle a wiggle jig is the lure of choice. With fly tackle the Clouser minnow works well.
Search the water you can see into for fish. If you see any, cast to them! There's no sense in turning down any good opportunities.
Keep your lure in the water you cannot see into. Generally this will be in the deeper water, but fish are in there. Keep casting into this water and retrieving your lure. Fish every cast as if you expect to hook a fish. Sooner or later you will!
Make long casts. You'll cover more water this way, giving more fish the chance to see your offering. Also, oftentimes the fish will follow your lure or fly for quite a distance before finally making up their mind. Long retrieves give them the opportunity to do this. Of course once you hook up, play the fish as explained above.
WHERE to GO
After entering the state park you will come to a "T" intersection. Taking a right will bring you to the campground. Taking a left will bring you to the boardwalk. I suggest taking a right and parking in the first space available, on the water by some picnic tables.
While rigging your tackle, watch the water for signs of fish. If you see any by all means go out after them. If not, then you can either walk through the campground or walk back up the road the way you came and go to the boardwalk. Decide by trying to keep the sun (or wind) at your back.
If you choose the boardwalk, walk along the boardwalk until you get to the shoreline. You will see a dirt path heading to the left, off toward the north. You may want to take this later but for your first visit take a right and find the pavilion with the sandy beach out in front of it (it's the second or third one). Walk out into the water along the sand (look for fish!) until you clear the zone of mangrove shoots. Remember to do the "stingray shuffle", dragging your feet to keep from pinning any hidden rays. Then turn toward the right and slowly start wading back to your car, searching for visible fish and blind casting out toward deeper water where you can't see.
If you see fish tailing among the mangrove shoots by all means go in after them but keep in mind the bottom is a little mucky and soft in there. Waders prefer firm bottoms! Stay on the outside of the seedlings until you get south of where they end. The fish will go in very close to shore when the tide is high, and will work in water knee deep or even less. You shouldn't ever go in past your crotch. Seeing fish while you are wading in deep water is impossible anyway, at least until they're so close to you that they see you first.
If you choose, you can keep wading past your car and down into the camping area. Fish work this flat for the entire length of Long Key. When you decide to stop, or come to the end of the Key, you simply wade ashore and walk back to your vehicle. If you have time you can start over again, or you can go do something else, like that Key West thing!
MEALS AND ACCOMMODATIONS
Campers will undoubtedly want to camp at the state park. You can wake up, roll out of your sleeping bag, and be casting to bonefish within minutes. The state park takes reservations for sites up to 60 days prior to the dates you want to camp. They reserve half of the 60 sites, and the remainder are available on a first-come, first served basis. Keep in mind that this park is popular and during the winter holidays, Spring Break, and Thanksgiving the chance of getting a site are not good. During late spring, all summer, and fall up until Thanksgiving it's usually not a problem. Phone number at the park is (305)664-4815.
Over on Grassy Key (a ten minute drive south) are several adequate motels. The Pelican Motel (305)289-0011, the Grassy Key Ocean Motel (305)743-0533, the Grassy Key Yellowtail Motel (305)743- 8400, and the Gulf View Motel (305)289-1414 are within a stone's throw of each other. The rooms in all are clean, and their rates are reasonable.
The Grassy Key Dairy Bar will serve you an excellent dinner if they are open for the season. They usually close in July for a month or so. Down on Marathon are several of the national fast food chains. Those who want a real meal at a reasonable price are advised to try Brian's in Paradise, also on Marathon.
RESOURCES
You can buy the necessary lures through the mail (or over the telephone) before you leave for the Keys. Spin fishermen can obtain the wiggle jigs and the DOA Standard Shrimp from Capt. Harry's Fishing Supply, 100 NE 11th St., Miami FL 33132-1726, (305)374-4661, Fax(305)374-3713, Orders Only 1-800-327-4086. Fly fishers can get their flies at the Fly Fisherman, 321-383-8364.
CONCLUSION
So you could go to the Keys and spend hundreds of dollars on a guide to catch a bonefish. Or you could go down and flounder around on your own for a month and never see one. Or you can take the recommendations supplied in this Special Report and catch those bones on your own. Let me know how you do (reach me at 284 Clearview Road, Chuluota, FL 32766, (407) 977-5207, spottedtail@spottedtail.com). Good luck!!!
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This article was written by John Kumiski of John Kumiski Outdoors and Travel. Contact him at his website www.johnkumiski.com or via email at john@spottedtail.com. Copyright John Kumiski.
John Kumiski 's most recent fishing guidebooks are How and Where to Catch Redfish in the Indian River Lagoon System (Argonaut Publishing Company), and Fishing Florida's Space Coast (Argonaut Publishing Company).
John Kumiski's newest book is Redfish on the Fly- A Comprehensive Guide .
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