Well, I finally got to Cozumel to try for my first bone on the fly while on my honeymoon. My fishing trip was plagued with many things that did not work in my favor, most notably tropical storm Arthur. Due to the weather, my 6 hour trip was cut down to 3 hours. Add to that we did not start fishing until after noon instead of the more productive morning. Then, to make matters worse, we were fishing in the remnants of the tropical storm, with sustained winds between 25 to 30MPH. I knew bones were plentiful but small in the area, but as we left shore, I really chalked the trip up to learning how to cast a 9wt during a weakening tropical storm. Even in the most protected lagoons, the wind was crazy with the water white capping and muddy water every where. It made sight fishing all but impossible. At one point, we did locate a school of bones noting that the water was a little darker/muddier than the rest of the area. My first cast into the buddy water produced bites, but I could not get a good hook up. My guide informed me that it was probably a school of very small fish. The following casts were still producing bites, but no hook ups. Finally, about the 5th cast in, I hooked up. After a very small but valiant fight of behalf of the small bonefish, he was landed. My wife snapped a couple of pics before I put him back into the drink. What made the experience all the more rewarding, was the fact that he had eaten on of the many crazy Charlie patterns I had tied for the trip. By the time I landed him, the school was long gone. But about another 30mins of blind casting did produce a small jack. So, While the elements were against me, I still managed my first bone OTF, on a fly that I had tied back in Charleston. Not a bad trip at all. I still think the most impressive part of the day was managing to cast 80 plus feet without hooking my wife, my guide, or myself. Now, the pics:
hey sg, congrats. when are you headed to the keys? Im there on my honeymoon july 5-12. we have a houseboat and several other crafts:smiley:. lemme know, would love to hit it up w/ yall.
No offense, but that is the cutest little bone I have ever seen. I just got back from the keys and had one great day bonesighting on the flats of downtown Islamorada. I poled all day saturday for my dad and just could not get it done. There was one tailer that was easily 13 if not 14. He was a serious football. We probably had 15-20 legitimate shots at tailing and mudding fish. Dad bill danced the two bites he did have on live shrimp, resulting in pulled hooks. I could have pushed him off the boat for missing the cast on that fatty.
Its simple. Either cast it on top of the fishes head, too far in front of the fish, or too far to one side of the fish. Here is the result of a well placed cast last trip. The one fatty we saw on saturday easily bested this 12#er by a pound if not two!
See, I knew I should have bought that “fish enlarging lens” for my camera. Then, I too can make it look like a landed a monster. That is a truly nice fish, and I have caught some on spinning outfits like that, but I will land a big boy on fly some time in the future.
Scotty, We will be staying right off of duck key. I would love to meet up, but we will be down that way from July 16-20. Best of luck though and I am sure that you will have a blast and congrats on the marriage.
Stretch, you and duck want to wet some lines next week? I am free after 5 all next week:smiley:! If so give me a call.
“The fastest way to a fisherman’s heart is through his fly.”
hey sg, congrats. when are you headed to the keys? Im there on my honeymoon july 5-12. we have a houseboat and several other crafts:smiley:. lemme know, would love to hit it up w/ yall.
Cheers from Iowa. When my brother gets off work, i’ll be up there by God.
