Bonefish, often known as ghosts of the flats, are one of the most exciting species to target with a fly rod. Difficult to spot on even the shallowest of saltwater flats, they move serenely from one feeding spot to the next. Sometimes they give themselves away feeding with their tails clean out the water, or moving in large schools creating nervous water, but generally, it takes the most alert angler to notice a bonefish on the flats.
Spotting bonefish is just half the battle. They require delicate and precise casts, often into the wind or at range. And then, patience… as the fish moves effortlessly across the flats you must wait for the opportune moment to move your fly as if resembling a fleeing shrimp or crab. Once hooked they are a true gamefish, flying across the flats at speeds hard to imagine.
Peter McLeod gives an idea of what to expect in his video on ‘How to Catch a Bonefish on the Fly’.
Here are the Aardvark McLeod team’s top destinations to target bonefish, one of our favourite species to target on the saltwater flats.
St Brandon’s, Mauritius – wading and sight casting to double digit bonefish
One of the most remote and undisturbed saltwater flats fisheries in the Indian Ocean, St Brandon’s comprises over 50 small islands, raised coral ridges and vast sand flats divided by three major channels. Some 250 nautical miles northeast of Mauritius it is only accessible by boat, with the crossing from Mauritius taking around 26 hours. The reward for the journey is a fishing paradise, fantastic species variety and truly spectacular bonefishing.
Anglers can expect to see large numbers of these fish including some enormous singles and doubles cruising the shallow water. The bonefish average five to six pounds with most guests having the opportunity to target fish of nine to 12lb during a week here. Visiting anglers stay at a comfortable four-bedroom guesthouse on the largest island of Raphael which provides all that is necessary from which to explore this wonderful atoll.
Alphonse Island/St Francois Atoll, Seychelles – the Indian Ocean’s biggest bonefish population
Established back in 2000, Alphonse is one of the longest running fisheries in the Indian Ocean and still ranks among the most productive and consistent in the world. Most of the fishing occurs on the nearby St Francois Atoll which is a wonderful mix of large white sand flats, channels, drop offs and coral finger flats.
Over these 10,000 acres there are endless white sand flats providing easy wading on which to fill your boots with bonefish. Bonefish aside, anglers can also target giant trevally, bluefin trevally, triggerfish and of course milkfish.
Alphonse Island Lodge provides extremely comfortable accommodation (single room as standard), service and top quality food. There are plenty of non-fishing activities so it’s a great choice for non-fishing friends and partners too.
Jardines de la Reina, Cuba – superb fishing from dawn till dusk
Named the Queen’s Gardens by Christopher Columbus, Jardines de la Reina is a pristine chain of islands running more than one hundred miles along Cuba’s south-eastern coast. This vast marine park, bigger in size than the Florida Keys, is ideal for fly anglers who wish to live and experience fishing from dawn till dusk aboard a series of purpose built liveaboard vessels.
The flats environment here is a fantastic combination of shallow turtle grass and deeper coral flats that are accessed by skiff, wade fishing is limited but possible at certain tide stages. The average sized bonefish is a solid three to five pounds, but there are opportunities for fish in the seven to ten pound class every day. The huge variety of species available here is an added bonus with everything from mutton snapper on the flats to wahoo and giant Cubera snapper on the drop offs.
Turneffe Flats Lodge, Belize – expansive flats offering productive bonefishing
Located on a beautiful raised coral atoll a two-hour boat ride from the Belize mainland, Turneffe Flats Lodge has access to some of the most beautiful saltwater flats in the world.
Bonefishing is a mainstay of the fishing operation with miles of crystal clear, wadeable flats. It is also one of a select group of saltwater destinations where you can experience flats fishing for tailing permit with a reasonable opportunity to catch one. Tarpon are present throughout the year, but the migratory tarpon season really begins in April and continues to mid-October.
The lovely lodge provides comfortable accommodation, great home cooked food and a convivial atmosphere.
Andros South Lodge, Bahamas – legendary Bahamas bonefishing
Andros South on Andros Island has a well-deserved reputation as a fine multi-species fishery and as a particularly good spot for bonefish. It is the largest of 26 inhabited Bahamian Islands and whilst it is considered a single island it actually comprises hundreds of small islets, cays and three main islands connected by a series of mangrove estuaries. The three main bights that split the major islands provide a gateway between the east and west side of the island.
It is the myriad tidal lagoons and access to the sheltered west side and the expansive east side flats that make Andros one of the finest bonefishing destinations on the planet. With a wonderful mix of smaller schooling bonefish through to big singles and doubles cruising the ocean-side flats, this is a bonefisher’s paradise. There are lots of opportunities for both wading and skiff fishing, depending on your preference and the conditions.
The accommodation at Andros South is comfortable but casual, the service is excellent, the food is good and the focus is on fishing.
Christmas Island – bonefish heaven with a good mix of other species too
The fishing experience around Christmas Island is truly world-class. Often mentioned in angling circles as one of the finest bonefisheries in the world, Christmas Island’s greatest strength is its multi-species opportunities. It is not uncommon for an angler to bring to hand over a dozen exotic species in a single week of fishing. In fact, some guests have recorded two dozen unique species over the course of a week-long visit.
The vast, hard sand flats allow anglers to wade all day in relative solitude. There are great numbers of bonefish cruising the shallow water, providing almost constant shots during the fishing day. The average size is two to four pounds with fish in the five to ten pounds always a real possibility. Stalking these flats is an incredible experience and most of the action unfolds at pretty close range, with casts of around 20 feet the norm.
Anglers can choose from three lodges here, Christmas Island Lodge, Ikari House and The Villages.
Los Roques, Venezuela – a bonefish wading playground.
Few saltwater destinations see large tailing bonefish with such regularity as Los Roques. This diverse archipelago off the Venezuela mainland is a bonefisher’s paradise offers both expansive shallow pancake flats and ‘as far as the eye can see’ sand flats. The bonefishing can be likened to dry fly fishing to river trout, the presentation needs to be delicate to result in the ultimate reward. The flats here are a sight-fisher’s playground and anglers will find tailing bonefish, aggressively feeding fish, and nervous water on offer each day.
Unlike other Caribbean destinations, Los Roques is predominately a wade fishery. This means that for most of the time on the water, fishermen are fishing giving a higher chance of hooking, and hopefully landing, one of Los Roques’ monster bonefish; known to grow well in excess of ten pounds.
Anglers are accommodated in a lovely welcoming hotel on the centre of the island.
Punta Allan Fishing Lodge, Mexico – Enormous schools of bonefish
The lodge sits in the heart of Ascension Bay in Mexico and offers guests great comfort and a fantastic fishing experience on one of the Caribbean’s most productive flats systems. The bay features miles and miles of shallow flats, a perfect breeding ground for crabs, the cherished delicacy of bonefish and permit.
The bonefish are plentiful, so your opportunities for landing these fierce fighters are numerous. Ascension Bay is world-renowned for its seemingly endless saltwater flats and fishermen come here primarily seeking the challenge of the elusive permit and bonefish, plus the chance to achieve a Grand Slam.
For more information about the various bonefish destinations we offer or for a specific itinerary and quote please contact us or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.