Bonefish - Albula vulpes
Florida Record 15lb. 12oz.

Feeding patterns and unique characteristics:
Bonefish can be found all over the warm waters of the Florida keys, Bonefish prefer the shallow grass patches when feeding on tasty treats like; crabs, shrimp, worms and mollusks. Bonefish prefer the shallows for a few different reasons. One reason is that the shallows offer protection from predators like Sharks and Barracudas. The Bonefish design is considered “perfect” The mirror-like scales of a bonefish help them blend in with their surroundings and make it difficult for predators, especially the Barracuda from seeing them. Bonefish also have extremely good eyesight, this not only makes it harder for predators to get close, it makes it exceedingly difficult for us to also.

What you and your guide are looking for:
There are two basic telltale things to look for when you and your guide are stalking Bonefish.

"Tailing" & "Mudding" – This would be considered the best situation to be in when you are stalking the “Grey Ghost”. Tailing Bonefish are very difficult to spot, unless you have the trained eye. A good guide knows the difference between light wind wisps and true tailing bones, both look similar. When Bonefish feed, they orientate themselves so that their snouts are buried somewhat in the bottom as they forage for a meal. When they are in this position, their translucent tails waver out of the water, just a little. This would be the ideal situation for the perfect cast; Bonefish that are feeding this aggressively are not easily spooked and will readily eat a fly or shrimp-tipped jig.

"Cruising" – Bonefish that are cruising are not really interested in feeding. When looking for bonefish that are cruising, look for “nervous water” Nervous water has a different ripple than the water surrounding it. These fish are on high alert for predators and WILL spook at the slightest disturbance. If you find yourself stalking a school on the move, lead them a good ways and let your fly or jig settle just above the grass a little, slight twitches when they are close should get a look-see.

When are they hungry?:
Bonefish are here year round and prefer water temps 72 degrees or warmer. The best months to fish for them are from Mid February through and middle of November. They to tend to seek deeper water in the winter months when the cold fronts move through, but are right back on the flats a few days later. Best months to fish for them are April, May, June, July, August, September & October.