Best for Bonefish beginner

[aldie]

Hi

Im planning a holiday for my Uncle, myself and whoever else fancies coming along.
While ive been Flats fishing a couple of times my Uncle hasnt, were both experienced trout fishers here in the UK and can cast descent lines.
So what im really getting at is where would you recommend i take him? Our main target would be bones, but we would be happy catching anything coming our way.

Many thanks

Steve

[widdoes]

backsides, everybody's got one and they all stink! ;)
What I mean is, I think that you will get a lot of OPINIONS in answer to your query. So, here's mine.
1st choice: Mexico/Belize- easy bones, but small; Good lodges and/or guides; relatively easy to get to; other species beside bonefish- permit, snook, tarpon, jack- just a whole lot of fish around.
2nd choice: Bahamas (Abaco, Andros, GB)- Lots of big bonefish, but smart! Good lodges and independant guides; good D.I.Y. (although I'd recommend some guided fishing, at least for your uncle); not so many other fish on the flats- OK sharks and cudas, but lots of other activities beside fishing (except Andros).
3rd choice: really going off-the-board with Seychelles- Lots of big, hungry bonefish; lodge only, but if you're up for the "trip of a lifetime" why not; other species (trevally, triggerfish, milkfish); easier to get to from UK than USA, but it's still not easy.
Other options, each with pluses and minuses: Los Roques, VZ.; Key West, FL; Biscayne Bay, FL (underrated in my book)
Since I've covered most of the "hotspots" except Christmas Is., you will probably see mosts responses give the same places in a different order, but I could be wrong --127-3-
Good luck!
-WJ

(edit "Goo Luck" !!??? Didn't he play the cook on Bonanza)

[Soundking]

They Seychelles are probably equidistant from the UK as Central America is, and much better fishing. London to Nairobi is only 6 hours or so, and then from Nairobi to Mahe is only about an hour and change. From there a private plane and about an hour of travel until your on island adjacent to St. Francoix. In the seychelles your looking at 200+ shots at bonefish on a tide...literally wave after wave after wave of fish, nothing huge though. But to put the insanity of the fishing there in perspective, I caught a five pound bonefish on a size 6 turk's tarantua. Average fish is four pounds, but there are a few double digits mixed in. Also the biodiversity is staggering, Indo-Pacific Pompano (same size and shape as a Permit), Milkfish, Giant Trevally (IMO the hardest fighting fish that swims lb/lb), Bluefin Trevally, Sails, Dogtooth Tuna, Jobfish, three species of Triggerfish that in many ways are fished like Permit (crab flies to tailing fish), Cuda, Wahoo...the list goes on. It's a special place for sure.

[Vic T]

Try Greenwich Creek Lodge on Long Island in the Bahamas. Samantha Knowles can take your reservations. Great lodge, good food, good guides, and lots of shots at bonefish.

You said that you can cast a good line because you are experienced trout fishermen; well casting a line in the ever-present 20 mph winds of the Caribbean is nothing like most trout fishing. You have to learn to doublehaul and must be able to get off a fast and accurate cast with one or two false casts. My advice is to go out on the windiest days you can find where you live and start practicing so you won't be frustrated when you are on the flats.

[uncle4]

Yeah... what they said.

The Seychelles are special, but they're really pricey, too.
If you do go, something completely different to try is
the Nairobi-Mombasa train, then either fly over or boat
to Mahe... the train ride across the Serengetti and down
the escarpement is truly amazing.

I think the easier and cheaper fishing is in Belize.
Turneffe, Placencia and other lodges are comfy (yes, still
pricey but not by Seychellian-standards). A ton of small,
stupid and aggressive bonefish with opportunities for
tarpon, permit and other species.

Other places (Bahamas, Los Roques <to which I've not
been>, Turks, etc) I think have tougher times catching
bones.

If money's no object... I'd agree with Widdoes and Sound-
king. If there's a budget, I'd say Turneffe Flats Lodge.

And since you said "whoever else fancies coming along"
I'll Private-Message you the mailing address to which
you can post my plane tickets <hehehe>

PULEEEEEZE post pics when you get back.

Tight lines...

Uncle 4

[aldie]

Cheers Lads

Seychelles way to expensive, Belize or Cuba looking most likely. I've heard Bahamas Bones can be spooky even though I would really love to fish there one day. Are they really that spooky?

[Mark Dougherty]

Spooky ? IMHO its all about presentation.....plop a large chain bead fly 3 feet in front of any bonefish and ........wham.......a cloud of mud and they are gone......I like to go small (size 6) and light.....and get out in front of the fish as far as is reasonable......

[Guy]

Spooky ? .....plop a large chain bead fly 3 feet in front of any bonefish and ........wham.......a cloud of mud and they are gone......

Hi Mark, I beg to differ, but that's what happens when you cast a large bead chain fly to a bonefish that is somewhat accessible to the American hordes. Do the same thing to a Cuban bone and he's more than likely to eat the fly right now!

Sometimes I am glad that your govt and Castro are on opposite sides of the planet even if there's only 90 miles separating you guys! That way this canucklehead still has a chance to go catch a dumb bone or two in Cuba after being humbled by too many Bahamian bones!!!

Mark, You going bonefishing anywhere this fall?

Guy

[Mark Dougherty]

Hi Mark, I beg to differ, but that's what happens when you cast a large bead chain fly to a bonefish that is somewhat accessible to the American hordes. Do the same thing to a Cuban bone and he's more than likely to eat the fly right now!

Sometimes I am glad that your govt and Castro are on opposite sides of the planet even if there's only 90 miles separating you guys! That way this canucklehead still has a chance to go catch a dumb bone or two in Cuba after being humbled by too many Bahamian bones!!!

Mark, You going bonefishing anywhere this fall?

Guy

Guy,
How dare you differ with a amature like myself !! I guess I have to say the large bead heads worked well on Andros....but a total disaster on Abaco....
(Translation: I blew the cast).....yep heading to Abaco 8-18 October --127-3- ...cannt wait....new vise to boot !!! A nice Regal....a pleasure to use...broke the old one trying to tie up some 7/0 shark stuff.....The main reason the US is at odds with old Mr Castro is to allow our northern brothers (Kanucks) a place to practice and develop their fishing skills !!! :-%

[bostonbruins477]

Well today was the first time that my buddy and I were ever on a flat. We're in the Turks and Caicos, South Caicos Island studying for a semester. After making a local contact we found a way to borrow 3 kayaks. Paddled out to "Moxy Bush" and go onto the flats. After about an hour exploring, the tide finally got right and the water started to heat up. Saw a few lemon sharks cruising around so we knew the conditions were right for bones. Saw my first few fish.. made casts with no luck (the wind was strong). After that we saw a TON of fish. Broke my first off. Ended up landing two. My buddy landed 5, including a 24 inch bone. There were big fish and they were everywhere. At one point while i was fighting a fish, i was surrounded by fish. They were spooking as they were getting to close to me. But point is, no guide, no boat, but we are living in the TCI. Come here to fish.

[Guy]

Guy,
....new vise to boot !!! A nice Regal....a pleasure to use...broke the old one trying to tie up some 7/0 shark stuff.....The main reason the US is at odds with old Mr Castro is to allow our northern brothers (Kanucks) a place to practice and develop their fishing skills !!! :-%

7/0 shark flies? Now you're getting serious! --127-3-

Good luck on the Abaco trip, that should be a good time. Fishing pressure tends to be way less in Oct/ November compared to the Feb to May time period. Some bones might not have even seen a fly for weeks! Hope the weather holds for you.

This Kanuck hopes to get to Cuba (or maybe Belize) sometime in the next 6 months, but with family and work commitments right now, we just can't think about finalizing any more travel plans for now. We are spending 18 days in Costa Rica in January where sailfish on the fly wiil be the primary objective.

[Guy]

Well today was the first time that my buddy and I were ever on a flat. We're in the Turks and Caicos, South Caicos Island studying for a semester. After making a local contact we found a way to borrow 3 kayaks. Paddled out to "Moxy Bush" and go onto the flats. After about an hour exploring, the tide finally got right and the water started to heat up. Saw a few lemon sharks cruising around so we knew the conditions were right for bones. Saw my first few fish.. made casts with no luck (the wind was strong). After that we saw a TON of fish. Broke my first off. Ended up landing two. My buddy landed 5, including a 24 inch bone. There were big fish and they were everywhere. At one point while i was fighting a fish, i was surrounded by fish. They were spooking as they were getting to close to me. But point is, no guide, no boat, but we are living in the TCI. Come here to fish.

Hey, congratulations on your first bonefish- success going DIY as well. I am impressed! University in the Caicos? Now are we to assume after being slimed by your first couple of bonefish that you'll have a lot more "study time" on the flats? --127-3-

You wouldn't by any chance be a Bobby Orr / Raymond Bourque fan?

Guy

[llewellyn]

Being originally from the UK myself I know how you fish,I now live in Canada but have fished for bonefish in quite a few locations and have two suggestions for you.
Mangrove Cay on the middle bight of Andros, lots of big bonefish if you can cast quickly and accurately, no more than two false casts and you should be able to throw 80 feet of line, being able to back cast as well as forward is a big advantage. I would suggest Chris Leadon as your guide he can be reached at relax@seascapeinn.com.Chris is a FFF casting instructor and can put absolute novices on fish.
The second suggestion would be Grand Bahama Bonefishing in Freeport, excellent accommodation and guiding.You must insist on getting David Jr or Jeffrey, they are first rate guides and very personable. David Jr taught me to bonefish and on my very first day bonefishing caught 22 fish.
If you need further information e-mail me directly and I will tell you all you need to know to have a successful trip.

[bostonbruins477]

I would in fact be an Orr/Bourque fan. I'm going to the School for Field Studies, accredited through BU. And yes I would assume there will be some more studying time on the flats. My buddy and i paddled out there yesterday at around 4, knowing we had class at 730 that evening. Needless to say it was 650 we were about a 1/2 mile from our kayak with the wind going in the opposite direction and of course we were in the MIDDLE of bones. I had just landed one we figured to be around 23 inches. Maybe i can figure out how to post a picture of it. I also caught a fish i couldnt ID. Flat bottum, two sharp points on either side (also on the bottum) with blotchy spots on his side. Pretty good size fish, chunky 20 plus inches. Anybody know what it was, one of my profs told me what he thought it was... but does anybody know? But we did in fact make it back to class... paddled as fast as we could.. got out and were running through the street with the kayak perpindicular to the road... rolled into class rod tube in hand, soaking wet with our booties in hand. Fun times
tight lines KC

[Guy]

[QUOTE=bostonbruins477]......I also caught a fish i couldnt ID. Flat bottum, two sharp points on either side (also on the bottum) with blotchy spots on his side. Pretty good size fish, chunky 20 plus inches. Anybody know what it was, one of my profs told me what he thought it was... but does anybody know? ...../QUOTE]

Did this fish have a triangular shape with very hard "box-like" sides? If so it would be a member of the boxfish family. A 20 inch boxfish would be quite a catch. They fight extremely well and are great eating .

Man, all I can say is when I went to college in Canada, standard footwear was insulated snow boots, not flats booties!!! --127-3-

Enjoy your semester in the TCI. I got a feeling that it'll go by quicker than you realize when you're having this fun!

Guy

[widdoes]

Triggerfish?
http://photos.fishindex.com/aba/abalistes_stellaris_starry_triggerfish27076.jpg

[widdoes]

PS- to post image, image must be on web (lots of free image hosts available, "wall of fame" was one). Use "insert image" tool above the dialogue box. Easy as cake, er, piece of pie, awww, shoot da biscuit!
I'll let you know how the B's look after they come to Pittsburgh in 2 weeks :brow
Let's go Pens!
-WJ

[mikewrx]

I've been to the Bahamas about 5 times including Abaco, Middle Andros and S. Andros. In my opinion, it would be extremely difficult to find a place better than S. Andros. There are hordes of 3-5lb fish that will atack the fly (Gotchas are the name of the game) with gusto. Bigger fish are always a possibility. I took two 9lb fish in a single day and had good shots at several 10+. Bair Bahama lodge is first rate.

[aldie]

If i went to Bahamas in April or May, how busy would it be? Would i be likely to see other fishers during the day?

Thanks for all the advice so far. :)

Steve

[mikewrx]

Depends where in the Bahamas you go. Its a huge place and all the islands are a little different. The thing about S. Andros is its very remote and virtually uninhabited the further South you go. I went in November a couple of years ago and saw maybe 1-2 boats a day that were a few miles away at their closest. The scale of the place is truly staggering.

[aldie]

Whats the cost of a trip to the Bahamas in comparison with Belise or Cuba?

[mikewrx]

None are cheap but Bahamas is closer than either to the U.S. E. Coast so air fare is less. I'd plan on at least a few hundred a day for the Bahamas.

[aldie]

Id be coming from the UK for around a week (5 or 6 days fishing).

[mikewrx]

Check out rates for Bair Bahama (Now known as Bair Guest House):
http://www.angleradventures.com/BairBA/bbgh.htm

[bostonbruins477]

For those of you who were interested, i've positively ID'd the fish i caught as a Goatfish. And some of the people around here say it would have probably been good eating. Anyone know if this is true?

[PanamaJack]

Hi Aldie
In that this is likely to be your first trip to the Bahamas, rather than hiring an independent guide - unless the other respondents have any suggestions - it might well be worth organising a package, fishing and accommodation, through a lodge.

The Andros Island Bonefish Club, owned by Rupert Leadon, where they fish places like Big Wood Cay and through the Middle Bight and the fabled 'West Side' used to be one of the cheapest. (But there're obviously many more.) In the UK they're represented by Frontiers (http://www.frontierstrvl.com). Rates though now seemed to have jumped up. The influence of Mrs Teeny and a major refurb programme? Any rate they're now quoting a high season rate of 2995$US for a package based on two sharing for 6 days fishing.

Certainly when I was last there though from, I think, May onwards rates were discounted down. The waters are warmer and the Bones aren't up on the Flats all day for sight fishing opportunities. Balanced against that though trans-atlantic flights are more expensive at that time of year.

as well as Frontiers there're a range of other agents, in the UK and 'States, that represent Bahamian lodges. And you can't do it cheaper as an independent traveller - the agent gets his commission from the lodge.

Just a word of warning if you book through a non-UK company - in the UK you'd have recourse through our legal system in the event of any 'issue' - make sure payments are via credit card. At least that way you get some form of protection. It's just that I have very bitter memories of a trip to Venezuela our Club organised through a 'Stateside agent. Without going into the specific details we ended up being defrauded of 14K$ US.

Just a couple of final points.

'Is it likely to be crowded'? That's extremely unlikely, there're just so many Flats that you can target where ever you determine to base yourselves on Andros.

And with all lodges one or other of the guides that they might end up utilising for a particular week may be of indifferent quality. If you're in the least bit unhappy make you feelings known immediately to the management and get them changed.

Best of luck
Dave
Sportfishing Club of the British Isles (http://www.scbi.org.uk)

[widdoes]

For those of you who were interested, i've positively ID'd the fish i caught as a Goatfish. And some of the people around here say it would have probably been good eating. Anyone know if this is true?
http://photos.fishindex.com/mul/mulloidichthys_flavolineatus32622.jpg

Good eating, yes they are. Best with mint jelly and a nice claret. :eek:

[bostonbruins477]

So we were going over reef fish ID's in class today, and the fish i caught was definetely a type of boxfish. No idea which one.

Kevin

[knowles]

If you're interested in Deadman's Cay Long Island call 242 337 0187.We operate out of Greenwich Creek Lodge.
Visit our webpage :www.longislandishere.com/tailingfish.htm
For further information please feel free to give us a call.

[Vic T]

I fished with Dwayne Knowles (see post above) at Greenwich Creek Lodge last April and will say that he is a terrific guide, lots of fun, and will absolutely put you on bonefish. The lodge is spotlessly clean and Samantha runs it well with excellent meals and great service. I brought 3 friends there for a week last April and they are still raving about it. Excellent boats, good lunches, honor system bar, and one of the nicest lodges you will find anywhere. Dwayne will keep you laughing and catching bonefish all day.

Vic T.

[Count]

I'm already booked with Dwayne and Greenwich Creek for next May. Will be my first trip to the Bahamas. Can't wait.

Vic, what kind of flies do you recommend for down there?

Thanks,

Count

[teflon_jones]

Tan sili legs gotchas or any tan gotchas are a great fly to use. A size 6 or 8 is the way to go.

[Count]

Thanks, Teflon! I appreciate your help.

Count

[Vic T]

My fly boxes have lots of patterns in size 6 & 4 hooks because I love to tie, but frankly, I use only two patterns in the southern Bahamas and catch a lot of bonefish with them. A pink and tan Bonefish Scampi, and Ververka's Mantis Shrimp. The previous recommendation for a Gotcha with sili-legs is also a very good choice according to guides I know but I have never tied one on.

Make sure you bring these flies with small beadchain eyes and also "blind" flies (no eyes) as 75% of your fishing will be in ankle-deep water and the rest will be in 12" of water. I don't cast into muds because I much prefer sight-fishing, but if you want to fish the occasional mud, bring a few flies in these same patterns with small lead eyes.

Think in terms of these colors: tan, light tan, dark tan, tan with pink, tan with orange, tan with white, and tan is good too. I prefer to use flies with lots of action ... rabbit fur, polar fiber, marabou, sililegs ... as opposed to static materials.

Very important advice: plan on lots of wind ... 20-25 mph every day...bring a very fast 9 weight rod as your primary weapon. Those photos in the magazines of glassy flats are taken in July I think.

You are going to love this sport!!

I hope to be down there in late April - early May; send my best to Dwayne and Samantha. Ask him to take you to the "outside flats", it is an hour boat ride out to the edge of the ocean and is beautiful beyond belief.

[Count]

Thank you, Vic! I really appreciate the help.

Tight Lines,

Count

[bostonbruins477]

First time bonefishing

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well today was the first time that my buddy and I were ever on a flat. We're in the Turks and Caicos, South Caicos Island studying for a semester. After making a local contact we found a way to borrow 3 kayaks. Paddled out to "Moxy Bush" and go onto the flats. After about an hour exploring, the tide finally got right and the water started to heat up. Saw a few lemon sharks cruising around so we knew the conditions were right for bones. Saw my first few fish.. made casts with no luck (the wind was strong). After that we saw a TON of fish. Broke my first off. Ended up landing two. My buddy landed 5, including a 24 inch bone. There were big fish and they were everywhere. At one point while i was fighting a fish, i was surrounded by fish. They were spooking as they were getting to close to me. But point is, no guide, no boat, but we are living in the TCI. Come here to fish.

Well to clarify the point I was making above, South Caicos is a great place that i think you all should come to fish. At no point was I trying to say that you should come down here and try to fish without a guide, the luck i've had down here can be directly attributed to the time i've spent living on the island (ie knowing where to go) and through the generous interactions of the local community, especially Gangar. Without him there is no way we would have had access to the flats via kayak. I would recommend Gangar and Beyond the Blue to anyone travelling to the TCI. They run an airboat service that can put you on the fish no matter where they are (in most areas where a flats boat cant even go. I get jealous seeing them head out every morning while i'm sitting in a boring lecture, and dread hearing the stories of them catching more bonefish in one day than I have caught in my entire time here, upon their return. Great fishing, great outfit, come down to South Caicos and see for yourself what an airboat can do.

[striperman13]

Quote Bostonbruins477 "I also caught a fish i couldnt ID. Flat bottum, two sharp points on either side (also on the bottum) with blotchy spots on his side. Pretty good size fish, chunky 20 plus inches."

Sounds like a big box fish. I have caught a few on the flats there. They put up a nice fight. Congrats on the DIY bonefish. Sounds like a blast. Where did you rent the yacks??