Bonito pattern?

[PhilDKreal]

Looks like Bonito have shown up in good numbers this year. What do you guys tie for these speedsters?

I've never gotten one on the fly. Are they like Albies? What types of flies do they prefer? Looks like they have more teeth than albies, anyone use a bite tippet?

Looking for suggestions on types of flies and specific patterns if possible. Do clousers work? Surf candies? What size hooks ?

Thanks!

[albacized]

In some ways they are like albies. The smaller flies of your albie collection would also make good bonito flies. The difference is that albies will also take larger flies which won't be as effective on bones (most of the time-if bones are on large bait, throw that last thought out the window).

One thing I find is that albies might chase a fly down or turn back on a fly while bones will slash through the bait and only take the fly if it's somewhere near the kitchen. So my recommendation would be to resist the urge to 'tear' the fly through the water and try to keep it in the strike zone as long as possible.

Also, bones are generally more line shy than albies...although you'll frequently hear almost every year how someone caught a bone on a tube and worm or a large gibbs popper meant for stripers. In fact, I can tell of a time where I was on a party boat out of Groton, CT and some guys caught bonito on these rigs call 'drail rigs', which is a rig comprised of a large trolling sinker, a chain, and a large snap swivel type thing and this is fished with a whole frozen herring:eek:...but it would understated it to say...that's not the norm

But admittedly, just like you, all of my fly fishing success with the tunoids has been with albies. I've only caught bones on spinning hardware or live bait.

[albacized]

Oh yeah...I forgot the last part of your question...The flies you mentioned will work as will small white deceivers and several fly patterns tied with white zonker strips (the famous 'bonito bunnies' being one of them)

[sa1280]

Bones are a lot harder to get to eat, in my opinion. Like it was mentioned earlier, getting a fly right smack into the middle of the boils is key most of the time. My favorite fly for them is all white, with a rabbit fur tail and a little bit of angel hair flash. As far as teeth go, I use 14 lb fluoro. They have sharp teeth, but they are conical, without the sharp edges of bluefish teeth. Keep the tails on the flies you tie short, as they like to grab at the tail which can result in short strikes. Good luck!

[PhilDKreal]

Thanks guys.

Heading up to Cape Cod next week. Maybe I'll get some shots. :brow