Bonefish fishing
Famous for its runs, bonefish (Albula vulpes) are the fly fishing favorite. They inhabit inshore tropical waters in Florida, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Riviera Maya in Mexico, Belize, Venezuela and the Seychelles, for example. Bonefish can weigh up to 19 lb (8.6 kg) and measure up to 105 cm (41 in) long.
Most bonefish are caught sight fishing, wading or poling over the flats, which is a exciting way to catch them. Bonefishing is done using bait or lures. The flies used for bonefishing usually resemble small crabs or shrimp. Their mouth is made to suck things off the bottom, which is why the fly should be stripped slowely, letting it move over the bottom. Bonefish can also be caught on light spinning gear using rubber lures, jigs and also bait such as shrimp or pieces of fish.
After the hookup, these powerful fish make their famous runs, which is why they're also called the torpedo of the flats.
Top Bonefish Fishing destinations
Distributed throughout the tropical waters around the world, bonefish prefer inshore shallow waters and flats. The best bonefishing destinations are Florida, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Riviera Maya in Mexico, Belize, Venezuela and the Seychelles, for example.
Other Fish Species similar to Bonefish
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The great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), often referred to as barracuda, is a long predator that can be found in tropical and subtropical waters where they like to patroll mangroves, reefs and drop-offs. Record barracuda can grow to 1,5m and weigh over 45kg (100lb+).
MORE INFO >Barracuda
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The Crevalle Jack or Jack Crevalle (Caranx hippos) is a very popular sport fish that belongs to the Carangidae fish species. Horse mackerel, amberjack and giant trevally also belong to this family. Jack Crevalle can grow to a length of 120 cm and a weight of 30 kg.
MORE INFO >Jack Crevalle
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The permit (Trachinotus falcatus) is a sought after fly fishing game fish. They are usually found in shallow tropical waters such as flats and channels of the Atlantic Ocean. Permit also frequent offshore wrecks. This species is distributed from Florida, Riviera Maya in Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua all the way down to the Carribean Islands and Brazil. Permit can grow to about 4ft (1,2m) in length and weigh up to 27kg (60lbs).
MORE INFO >Permit
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The northern red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) is a popular fish often caught reef fishing in the Atlantic waters of Florida, Gulf of Mexico and also the Caribbean. This sought-after game fish can reach 1 m and weight up to 50lb.
MORE INFO >Red Snapper
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The tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) is a silver coloured predator who loves hunting for fish and crustaceans in lagoons, rivers, ports, estuaries and other shallow waters. They inhabit the coastal waters in the Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Argentina. Tarpon can grow up to 2,5m and weigh over 150 kg (350 lb).
MORE INFO >Tarpon
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Best Bonefish Fishing Charters
