Bonefish are found in tropical waters worldwide, and saltwater fly fishers stalk them by wading the flats on which they like to feed. Following is a description of the fish, and some of the best places for bonefishing in the world.
Description of Bonefish, Popular Saltwater Fly Fishing Targets
Bonefish, of the genus Albula, inhabit many of the tropical salt watersof the world. They spawn offshore, but move inshore to feed around reefs and on shallow flats, where they prey upon shrimp, crabs, minnows, squid, worms, even some bivalves, and often, the top flies that mimic these creatures. Because of their timid characters, paired with their strength, flats fly fishing in saltwater is a sport that revolves around these fish, which can be elusive, but reward anglers who fish for them perfectly.
Best Fly Fishing Places for Bonefish in the Americas
The western hemisphere has one of the larges expanses of prime bonefishing waters: the Caribbean. The sea is filled with fish-able islands, and bordered by coastlines that are lined with flats and mangroves, which serve as prime habitat for these fish. Some of the best places for bonefishing in the western world are the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, where fish are known for their size, Turks and Caicos, the Mexican Yucatan (most notably, Ascension Bay), Belize, and Venezuela's Los Roques. All of these locations have fishing vacation travel packages, supreme waters, and seasoned guides who will set any anglers up with fish.
Best Places for Bonefishing in the South Pacific
The South Pacific Ocean's islands, though spread out, are also excellent places for saltwater flats fly fishing. Christmas Island in Kiribati, French Polynesia, and New Caledonia near the Great Barrier Reef all have lodges at which bonefishers may stay and fish from. Christmas Island has been for years one of the top saltwater fly fishing destinations, as bonefish have been considered as numerous there as anywhere in the world.
Destinations for Bonefish Flats Fishing in the Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean also has a couple of great angling destinations: the Maldives and the Seychelles. Both are tropical paradises that have plenty of fish, but recently, the islands of the Seychelles have become some of the most popular places for saltwater fly fishing in the world. With tremendous bonefish that average as large as they do anywhere else, as well as high concentrations other fish, such as giant trevally, snapper, barracuda, milkfish, and offshore fish (many of the same species found in the South Pacific, and in the Caribbean, the latter of which has jacks instead of trevally and lacks milkfish), the Seychelles has many establishments that cater to fishermen targeting bonefish.
Saltwater flats fly fishing is a sport that revolves around bonefish, which are fortunately found in some of the most beautiful waters in the world. In planning a fishing vacation, look into the various places where bonefishing is superb, and make sure to find a lodge that caters to personal fishing desires.
Thomas Wyatt - Tom Wyatt grew up in Virginia. He has been interested in the outdoors (fishing, birding, camping, and other such activities) since he was ...
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