Bonefish Videos

Species Name: - Bonefish

Scientific Name: - (Albula vulpes)

Other Names: - Silver Ghost, White Fox, Macabi

Range: - Bonefish are found in tropical and subtropical ocean waters across the globe. In North America, they can be found in the south Atlantic; primarily around the Caribbean islands and the Bahamas as well as the Florida Keys. Additionally, they can be found in coastal waters in many Central American countries, such as Belize, Honduras, and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. The bonefish is a tropical species and is seriously fished only in the south end of Biscayne Bay, Greater Miami and the Florida Keys and also, of course, throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean. Stragglers are sometimes caught north of the preferred habitat, usually from the surf, although a few are taken from the Indian River. The Longfin variety is rare in Florida.

Habitat: - This species prefers warm, shallow waters between 70 and 90 degrees. They can tolerate mild current but prefer the calm waters found in shallow lagoons and flats. While most bonefish are caught in depths of just a few feet or less, they can be found as deep as 20 – 30 feet. Bonefish do much of their foraging on shallow mud or grass flats, where they can be sighted and cast to. They also frequently gather in large schools over fairly deep, soft bottom, where their feeding stirs up patches of silt or "mud."

Description: - Thick-bodied but streamlined. Dark back, usually greenish, and silver sides; pointed snout with underslung mouth; forked tail. A smaller and much lesser-known variety, the Longfin Bonefish, Albula nemoptera, looks almost identical, except for streamer-like extensions of its dorsal and anal fins. Recognized as one of the fastest fish in the sea, the elusive bonefish is found almost exclusively in shallow waters. Their long, slender bodies are streamlined and built for speed and power. They are distinguished by their bright silver coloring, small downturned mouth, and snout-like nose. They have a single dorsal fin and a wide tail. Younger bonefish have several dark bars across their back which fade with age or when taken out of the water. There may be slight blue, green, or bronze coloring on the back, sides, and snout.

Size: - Common from 2 to 10 pounds; sometimes to 15 pounds, and possibly to 18 or 20. World record 19 pounds; Florida record 15 pounds, 6 ounces.

Food Value: - Young bonefish travel out to sea to feed entirely on plankton. As juveniles, they return to more shallow waters, where they are primarily bottom-feeders. Bonefish feed on shrimp, crabs, clams, and sea urchins. They are often seen with their tails slightly above water and their snouts burrowing in the sand or mud in search of food, which they pick up with their downturned mouths.

Game Qualities: - Legendary for long-distance runs in shallow water. Strong, jack-like fighter in deep water.

Tackle and Baits: - For sight-fishing in the classic style, the most productive tackle is a spinning outfit with a light rod of 7 feet or longer and 8-pound test line. Bonefish are also among the top favorites of fly fishermen, whose standard gear is an 8-weight outfit. Lighter fly rods get some spot use, if wind conditions allow, and 9-weight outfits are not too heavy for good sport. Live shrimp is the bait of choice among spin fishermen, but cut shrimp, conch (in the Bahamas and Caribbean) and crab all work well. Best lures are "skimmer" jigs, 1/8 or 1/4 ounce, with horizontally flattened heads that help keep the hook upright. Most fly rodders lean toward very small flies with monofilament weedguards on No. 2 or even No. 4 hooks, but standard streamers on No. 1 or 1/0 hooks work. In a less-than-classic approach, Bonefish can be caught by bottom fishing on deep flats and in channels near the flats.