Gads....4 days from leaving for the Yucatan for 10 days and I start reading about the Sian Ka'an Bioreserve which is convieniently 40 miles south of where we stay.
And we happen to coincidentally be renting a 4X4, which is required to access the reserve, which incidentally happens to have 70 miles of barrier reef and flats running right alongside the road; which God found appropriate to populate with a high number of bonefish and permit.

Hmmmm....sounds kinda stupid to leave the old rod and reel at home, doesn't it?????

Soooo....we don't have 'bonefish' gear, but won't our steelhead gear be adequate? Will they take spinners? Spoons? Buzz-Bombs? Do we HAFTA FISH FLIES??? I hate fly casting! Can you say "Twack...( in the back of Mario's wool fedora)?"
What will they take? What can we expect? How 'bout you experienced old bonefishers out there?????
Thanks in advance for all you have to offer, even if it's only stuff you've read. I know less.
diana

We used to fish for them on Christmas Island after being tired of fighting Ulua, Ahi, and Ono.
We used light steelhaed rods with 6 lb. test. We sight fished for them on the flats. The Bonefish (Oio), would take small bucktails and feathers. We always used yellow and white.
Occassionally in Hawaii, we would get them to strike small silver spoons.
In both, a very slow retrieve was used.
They are a gamer, and you will have a blast.

Spinning gear will work fine, if you are a wuss.

If you are of a wussular nature, and must chase one of the best fly rod fish in the world with gear, bring small jigs in earthy tones. Bring a rod and reel that can handle a 100 yd plus run, at speeds that will peel your hair back. One of the books I have claims that a salmon can make a sustained run at speeds in the low teens, while a bonefish can make a sustained run at 27 mph. UNlike steelhead, where we are always advised to have 150 yds of line and never see the bottom of the spool, bonefish can and will spool you if you don't have a good bit of line. A 5 lb bonefish will fight as hard as a 10 lb steelhead.

The area you are going is good. I am going a little bit south of there in April. I am bringing flies in the size 6, 8 and 10 range, as I am told that the water is skinny, and the bones will spook from a larger fly. This may pose problems for spinning gear, as it will be tough to make a quiet enough presentation. The issue is getting the jig in front of the fish without spooking them. Bonefish as really shy.

On the plus side with gear, you'll be able to fish some of the deeper cuts, and be able to get down better than with fly gear, and that will get you some fish. You should also think about finding some live crabs, and being ready to use them to try for permit. That will warrant heavier gear.

As to line strength, I use 8 and 10 lb flourocarbon tippit. The flourocarbon is because of it's abrasion resistance, not because the fish are that leadershy.

Good luck, and have fun. They are a great fish.

I have fished for bones a few times in the Keys and Bahamas using both gear and bug rods. For gear my guides had set up light 8ft steelhead rods and 1/4 or 3/8 oz. jigs in shrimp or crab patterns. Same deal with the bug rods. Its crazy how fast they burn without the help of current! Finding bones and then stalking them is the tough part. Permit on the other hand are very hungry fish!

Diana, 'permit' me to introduce myself. Down in Cancun they simply refer to me as "Bonedaddy". I am 'the massa of de flats'! Many times in hushed tones, while I make my way thru Cancun's hotspots at night, the whispers of doen da ehstat El Massa de Bonedaddy ring in the ears of young beautiful Senorita's. As I approach the dancefloor ... ah, nevermind, this ain't workin. I don't know shiaat about bonefreakinfish. But ....

.... from reading the above posts, do you think bonefish can resist a well presented pink worm? I don't think so! You might do well to check into the nearest bass 'salad bar' in a comprehensive fishing store like Ted's. That's where you will find all kinds of rubber things that look like food to most game fish. Things such as real small earth tone colored crawfish, small squids or hootchies, and rubber tube jigs with several little legs that could be taken as a small crab or other saltwater crustaceans. There are also quite small rubber baitfish (1 1/2" to 2 1/2") that when put on a 1/8th oz. jighead hook and cast gently, then slowly twitch retreived, could catch most any game fish cruising the flats. Be sure to take a 2 oz. bottle of Pro Cure Ssquid Oil along. ... How do I know this? I don't. But I slept at a Holiday Inn Express for a few minutes a couple hours ago. If you try those things I suggested and don't get 'boned' on the flats, you won't have to call me Bonedaddy.

Diana,

What Silver Hilton said is right on. Earth tones are typically what you will score on. Most of the guides will have you tossing crazy charlies or some other shrimpy looking fly. For the color, you want the bug to be relatively close to the same color as the background. In other words, dark sand, dark brown fly, light sand light brown to almost white fly.

Leave it to RT to try to dangle his pink worm into every thread...

you can toss a chunk of shrimp or piece of ika(squid) too....also...if there are mole or sand crabs on the beach use them....

i think spinning gear with a good drag is better to use than baitcasting too... high gear ratios help you get that line back quick.....

Si, I remember in La Sire'na the senioritas telling tales of los Gringo Bonedaddy that trolled la mesas. But la senoritas say the piscado was not what he sought..he sought flats of another kind....and they say he trolled a pink worm. Ahhh, Bonedaddy....si, your reputation lingers...


diana

Bodysurf,
How do I tell a 10 year old boy that I'm gonna take his spinning rod and he has to sit on the beach. He has the only one in the house that is capable of these fish. This is gonna get ugly, I see it now!
I think the sand is from pink coral. I'm running out of time now, so I'm going to have to hit R&R Marine (salmon and steelhead stuff) and will try WalMart ( just because they have stuff that doesn't catch local species anyway). Maybe I can find small light colored lures somewhere between them.
Wadda think of small spinners?

After looking at that website for bonefish and permit, I realize that it was a permit that I came within 3-4 feet of last year while snorkeling in cloudy water. Scared the hell out of me because the first thing I saw was the top fin, edged in black, near the surface...first thing I thought of was "shark"! This was in about 3' of water and it spanned from surface to bottom....a very 'tall' fish. Pretty.

diana

Diana,

Go get a bunch of small tube jigs, like crappie jigs. Try to get some white, yellow, tan, and green. Bonies are usually spooky, but they are often not real picky about what they eat. Get as small a jig as you think you'll be able to cast, and try those.

As to the 10 year old, if it were me and you stole my rod, boy, we'd have issues for years. I think you better get another rod.

Ah ha, Senorita Diana, so you have already been there. It's good to know my reputation still lingers in Cancun. ... Naaah. Geez, I haven't ever been there yet. I want to someday. And fishin the flats really sounds super fun! I've watched it on outdoor channel fishing shows, and it looks like a blast casting flies or lures to spotted cruising game fish. I saw one show where a school of small blacktip sharks (don't bother people?) came into cruise the shallow flats for food and they put up a pretty good fight when hooked. But not as torrid of runs like those bonefish make! Have a good one down there. ... Bring us some posted pics?

Hey PD, "Leave it to RT to try to dangle his pink worm into every thread"? Geez man, I'm only in a handful of a whole page of threads. And in only a couple do I mention fishing the pink worm. But if you get the 'hang' of it, you'll be posting worm accolades too.

Simply funnin' ya RT...

spinners might work...spoons seem to....if you're gonna cast small little jigs you better get a spinnin' rod...i wouldn't mess with no 10 year old's rod...bad fishing karma...

Diana,

I'm glad you finally decided to go fishing while you're down there. If "Rancho Hemingway" is still there when you drive south on the road from Tulum, stop by and say "Hi" to Juan there for me, he speaks really good English... if he's still there, I bet the place looks really good now.

All I've seen on bonefish is flyfishing stuff, but I think if you're going to fish gear, you might as well fish bait, too. Try to find, catch, or buy some live shrimp, crabs, or minnows. I haven't fished that particular reserve, (still upset about that) but in other places, I've found locals that were happy to cast-net some bait for us for a minimal price. Ask around in Akumal or Tulum and I'm sure you'll find someone that knows someone that can help you. Barring that, bring a small aquarium net with you (you can get a WalMart) and catch your own crabs...

And oh... I'd guess that the sand there is pretty darn light... it sure in on the normal beaches... stick with yellows, pinks, whites, tans... that'd be my guess.

Have fun, let us know how you do, and post some pictures when you get back.

-N.

Diana, I hate to say this but you're missing out on a great opportunity not to pursue these fish with a fly rod.The area you are to fish is known for thier user friendly attitude and thus even a beginning flyfisher can expect 10-20 hookups per day.But, if you must use conventional tackle Iwould suggest 6-8lb. mainline with long 10lb. leaders(48"-60")min. Make sure it's flourocarbon!Also, stick to the ghost shrimp or crabs for bait. If you do go out on a limb and cast a fly or two the earth tones or very light pink can't be beat. For skinny water fish I will tie most of my flies out of marabou. A good trick I learned after running out of colored marabou is to take white marabou and let it sit in my left over mornings coffee. Good Luck and Have Fun!

OK...what is flourocarbon line???? And why do I need it?
I tell ya....I am no good at fly fishing. I hook other people, I don't catch ( unless I put the rod down ), and I drop the fly into a pile of line. I don't want to waste this vacation trying to learn. And besides....if I hook myself, chances are not good that it's gonna be through layered clothing.

I went to R&R Marine ( wow...nice store ) and picked up some leadhead hooks and some hoochies that I'll cut down and tie on. Also picked up some beady eyed maribou jigs in a pale pastel pink and white. Picked up one with black hackle and pink body. Also got a few Mepps with a silver/parrot-fish blue blade. The owner suggested using Rooster Tails, too. I guess someone who fishes in Panama bought him out of his inventory.

How do fish the crabs? Do you 'plunk' em? Isn't this a 'cast and retrieve' type fish?
Oooooo, Ooooooo, Ooooooo I can hardly wait. Now the hubster is getting stoked up about it, too. This is gonna be soooo cool!
I can't thank you all enough for the insight you've offered. What a great bunch!

And yeah....what kinda mom takes her kids fishing pole anyway? maybe I can send him on a snipe hunt in the jungle ( slap me! ).....

OK....
I packed a Sage and Lamiglass fly rod, and 1 spinning rod.
I resolve to fly fish.
Can someone give me a bit of detail about what to do after the fly hits the water?
Twitch? Slow retrieve? Fast retrieve? Let it sit? Drag the beady-eyed guys across the sand?
Quick! I only have 30 hours to learn!

diana

hook the crabs thru the edge of the shell or the butt or tie it in with a rubber band...brined squid or octopus is easier to deal with and lasts longer on the hook if you can get it,cut strips or use the legs ...if you can see the fish then you can cast to 'em...get polarized glasses if you don't already...plunkin' works too...if you're gonna plunk you might want to make some chum too...