The bonefish in the Bights are plentiful and average 3 to 5 pounds with regular appearances of fish 6 to 10 pounds and several 11,12 and 13 pound fish are landed every season. One huge flat on the West Side of Andros has been labeled “The Land of the Giants” and justifiably so. Due to its remote location and lack of any settlements, good numbers of very large fish can be found here on a consistent basis. However do not be tricked into thinking that the “grass is always greener on the other side of the island”, our daily recorded statistics prove that the home waters just minutes away from the lodge are equally productive in both size and numbers. In fact, some of the largest fish to date have been taken within sight of the Mangrove Cay Club just across the Bight around Big Wood Cay and Moxey Creek.
Fish are seen in schools of anywhere from a few fish to very large numbers, often in the hundreds. Large fish tend to travel is singles and doubles although they can hang out in large schools with smaller fish.
Bonefish have three basic modes of behaviour;
1. “Feeding” —Bonefish feed on the bottom, burying their snouts in the sand or silt. While feeding on very shallow flats their wavering tails are often out of the water and visible to angler and guide. Obviously, in deeper water their tails are not visible but the fish can still be seen. While bonefish are feeding, the condition of the surface of the water affects their feeling of security. Bonefish can be more nervous in very calm water. Conditions will determine how best to present the fly. On most days there is a slight chop or ripple on the surface and the fly must be presented three to five feet in front of them. On very still days the fly should be cast further from the fish and stripped back into his area of awareness.
2. “Mudding” — During the warmer months very large schools of bonefish will often back off the shoreline into about 5 to 10 feet of cooler water. As they grub for food they stir up the bottom creating a visible cloud of mud, referred to as “milk”. This cloud of mud moves as the bonefish move and makes these bones feel quite secure because they are not visible to predators. Often the angler can catch one fish after another without spooking the school. It is generally not our practice to fish muds because the desired challenge of sight fishing is eliminated. However, we will fish muds with you at your request.
3. “Travelling” — Travelling bonefish are intent on changing location but are very aware of their surroundings and not necessarily interested in feeding. When casting to travelling bonefish place your offering well ahead of the fish and let it settle. Your guide will tell when the fish is in range and you can strip.
When casting to a fish that moving towards you always pull your fly away from the fish — never toward it. You will occasionally cast to fish that are moving away from you. In that instance you will want to put your fly in front of the fish and strip back to it.
Allow the fly to settle on the bottom and strip it off of the bottom with long, slow strips. If the fish sees the fly, he will pick it up from a dead stop. The fish will usually pop its tail up as it takes the fly and the hook should be set immediately. Your guide will see the fish pick up the fly before you feel it. Many bonefish turn violently at the moment they feel the hook. It is important to set the hook with a long slow strip. Too much pressure can snap the leader as the fish begins to run. When the fish is on and running, make sure your fly line is clear and slowly raise your rod.
Occasionally the fish will run toward you, in which case you will have to quickly strip in more line to maintain pressure. Then the fish will change direction and you can clear the line. Bonefish have tough mouths and having very sharp hooks is important. Re-sharpen hooks with a hook hone after every three or four fish.
If you have refusals change flies or make sure there is no unwanted scent (as from sunscreen on your hands) on the fly by allowing your guide to rub mud from the bottom on your fly.
You can pinch down the barbs on the hooks of your flies with long-nosed pliers. This makes it easier to release fish unharmed, and many people feel the barbless hook actually more easily penetrates the tough tissue of the bonefish’s mouth and you minimize the risk of injury to yourself and others.
Handling and Releasing Bonefish
Bonefish evolved their incredible burst speed to avoid being eaten by predators. Since they are the favorite food of sharks and barracuda is it very important to release them in good condition and give them a chance to survive.
We do not recommend ultra light leaders and long fights with loose drags that tire the fish excessively. Leader should not be lighter than 10 lb and we recommend 12 and even 16 lb leaders.
To land and weigh fish our guides use knotless nets with a weighing scale built into the handle to minimize handling.
For photographs, please revive the fish before removing it from the water for the photograph and please keep the fish out of the water for as short a time as possible. Handle the fish as little as possible. Please allow your guide to take the time to revive the fish before releasing.
- Super Gotcha - Size 2 tied long (2 to 3 inches) & full
- Greg’s Flats Fly (pink, grey and brown)
- Clouser minnow (white/yellow, white/chartreuse, white/gold, white/red and black); tied in a weighted version, as well as with bead-chain eyes
- Rubber Band Worm (Oct./Nov. white worm hatch)
- Crazy Charlie (pink, white and tan)
- Bonefish special
- Merkin Crab; for bonefish, use size 4; for permit size 2, 1 and 1/0
- Snapping Shrimp
- D.L’s Redbone Fly
- Marabou Charlie
- Mini-Puff
- Bonefish Bitters
- Various Epoxy
Rods:
The ideal size rod for Mangrove Cay bones is a stiff, fast-action 8 weight. This will effectively handle most conditions and have the power to punch out a line in a fairly stiff breeze. Fly rods that are 9 feet and over are recommended because they help keep lines up off the water while casting to and playing fish. Keep in mind that 4-piece rods are much more convenient than 2-piece rods and can sometimes be carried with you on commercial flights (check with your airline or agent for specific regulations).
Reels:
Should be anodized saltwater models that will hold a full fly line, plus approx. 200 yards of 20-lb backing. Reels with a high quality, smooth disc drag are essential to prevent break-offs from the blistering runs of hooked fish.
Fly Line:
Saltwater weight-forward floating fly lines are all that is necessary. It is wise to carry at least one extra spool/line in case a fish frays your line on a mangrove root.
Leader/Tippet:
A tapered leader of 10-ft length is recommended. A half-dozen knotless tapered or hand-tied bonefish leaders in 10, 12 and 16 lb should suffice for a week of bonefishing. Be sure to take spools of tippet in10, 12 and 16 lb for rebuilding or lengthening your leader.
Note:
The Mangrove Cay Club does maintain a small tackle shop and typically has a good supply of of flies, tippet and leaders.
SPINNING TACKLELures/Jigs:
The most popular jigs are ⅛ - ¼ oz bucktail Gaines Phillips Wiggle Jigs in sand/brown and pink. Spin Charlies in pink, white/brown, and sand/brown are also a very productive bonefish lure. Saltwater lead head ⅛ oz jigs attached to 2" (or smaller) soft plastic Mister Twister type “grubs” are also a good choice. Grub colours: white, yellow, chartreuse, pink, smoke glitter, hot pink and yellow pearl.
Bait:
Bait can also be used on a bare hook. Mangrove Cay Club stocks frozen bait shrimp.
Rods:
Should be 6½ to 7 ft light- to medium-action graphite models. A rod suited for 8-10 lb line designed to cast lures from ⅛ oz to ½ oz is best.
Reels: Reels should be able to hold at least 200 yards of 8-10 lb test. A smooth drag is essential to avoid breaking off fish.
Line:
For spinning we recommend Stren High Impact; for level-wind reels, Berkley Big Game Trilene Inshore line.
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