Last Updated on Friday, 10 July 2009 20:34 Monday, 29 June 2009 08:24

For many reasons, bonefish are perhaps the ideal flats quarry; they like shallow water in gorgeous places (like Casa Blanca and Playa Blanca). They are not too difficult to catch; even an absolute beginner has a chance of hooking-up. Still, they provide sufficient challenge to keep even seasoned anglers coming back again and again. And, they fight like demons when hooked! Pound for pound few fish can compare.

Bonefish like the shallow water flats for two reasons. First, the flats hold a huge variety of crabs, shrimp, and mollusks which make up the majority of a bonefish’s diet. Second, sharks and barracuda both find bonefish particularly tasty, so the bonefish use the shallow water as a form of protection from these larger predators. This same shallow water is, for the angler, part of the allure of bone fishing. White sand flats, covered with calf deep turquoise water are stunningly beautiful to look at and even better, you get to wade through them stalking your wily quarry, or glide across them in your skiff, casting to schools as they come into range. Either way, what a great way to fish!

Because bonefish seem to be at the top of everybody’s dinner list, they have evolved to blend into their environment better than most other fish on the flats. Their eyesight is also exceptionally good and the slightest hint of danger will send them flying in the other direction. These natural attributes are a part of what makes bone fishing such a great sport. They are also the reasons you need to be able to make a quick, accurate presentation. If you make a good presentation, you catch fish; a weak presentation, you generally don’t, or at least, not many. For most people, just a little practice before your trip, is all you will need to consistently hookup.

This information is intended only as an introduction to the sport and offers a much abbreviated overview of fishing the flats at Casa Blanca and Playa Blanca. For a more detailed analysis, we suggest you read some for the excellent books about the subject.