Big Bonefish

[imported_Anonymous]

I have heard many reports of large Bonefish but can anyone out there tell me where large Bones (10-15lb) and over are caught consistently anywhere in the world.

[imported_Anonymous]

Alright, if you are looking for the monsters, you look in two places. (as far as i'm concerned) First, the middle keys, where the fish are usually smarter than we are but a few gullibles still abound. And second, Great Harbour. Given I am a little partial to this area as my family has owned land in the area for many years, but it reminds me so much of fishing Homosassa for tarpon on the fly. Every twenty minutes or so, one or two fish swim by with a herd that will just floor you. Because of my opportunities to do so,I have been running a few select trips to the area. Given the kindness of the people, the nice accomodations and the Maverick and Pathfinder that we use down there it is a wonderful place to spend a week. If you ever have an interest in going along with us, just e-mail me; my groups stay between four and six, the prices are much less than you might expect, and it is an all-inclusive affair. I set things up this way in order to take the stress out of what should be a fantastic vacation.

[imported_Anonymous]

The marle flats of the Abaco region in the Bahamas is a great place to get big bones, as are the flats surrounding lower Islamorada and lower Biscayne Bay.Capt. Scott

[Bender]

Do you want plenty of huge bonefish that can reach 10 or more pounds with easy......my suggestion is go to Los Roques(Venezuela) ,March to early June is best for big bones there.

[Alexismt555]

Are you looking for big bones, try the French West Indies in Guadeloupe.
http://www.gobages.net/resserver.php?blogId=74&resource=Bonefish2blog.jpg

One of my last caught, not the first and the last :)

[Bender]

See the member photo gallery about L.Roques bonefish!!and let me know!

Happy new Year at all the mad saltwaterflyanglers!!!!!:gr_cheers:

[John A]

For Monster Bonefish try the Islands of Oahu or Molikai, Hawaiian Islands
Have to bring along your best game consisting of persistence and determination and with a little luck thrown in… maybe you can hang one and land it!

My first Oahu Bonefish that stuck last Sept.. 32”long 12lbs.
http://jmaventures.zenfolio.com/p789424208/?photo=h1EECED79#518843769
http://jmaventures.zenfolio.com/p789424208/?photo=h1EECED79#477703361
http://jmaventures.zenfolio.com/p789424208/?photo=h1EECED79#413376440

Fished with my mentor and guide Mr. Lars Akerberg, photos of his largest to date 16lbs. enjoy...

http://akerberg.zenfolio.com/p713666379/?photo=h0F0F83D5#252675029
http://akerberg.zenfolio.com/p713666379/?photo=h0F0F83D5#430702055
http://akerberg.zenfolio.com/p713666379/?photo=h0F0F83D5#132458255

Will be returning to Molokai for the month of May, film @ 11
Good luck and good fishing.
Capt. john Alvarez

[jake61198]

The Florida Keys are probably home to the largest concentration of big bonefish anywhere, but they can be pretty tough to catch ( not that big bones are easy anywhere ). Over the years I have caught a fair number of fish over ten pounds at Christmas Island and if you target the big fish you will have your shots. If I was looking for a place to go for really big bones however, I think I'd try New Caledonia, I've talked to a few people that have been there and although there are not great numbers, the fish are supposed to be truely impressive in size.

[Bender]

I confirm that in New Caledonia,like in Hawaii,there are very big bonefish,once i saw a picture of an unofiicial world record bone of about 20lbs.
I think that in these places there are few bones but very very large,but to have a good chance to catch a big one i think it's better to go where a good population of fish lives.

[Bender]

The picture above is the "unofficial world record" i told.

[jake61198]

For big bones in good numbers that are willing eaters, in my opinion, there is no question that Christmas Island three to six days after the full moon can't be beat. The fish school up, supposedly to spawn and arrive at Paris Flat in some really impressive numbers. Fishing at Paris 1 in deep water is casting to schools that may number up to a couple of thousand fish. You cast to the large dark stain in the water as it goes by. It's not my idea of bonefishing, but the fish run anywhere from five or six pounds up to eleven or twelve pounds. If you can throw a fly fifty feet into twenty knots of wind you can't miss. As the fish move into Paris 2 they break up into smaller schools and are in shallower water, more like bonefishing but still like shooting fish in a barrel. The other downside to this fishing is that everyone knows about it and the place can get really crowded with everyone wanting to fish Paris. The good news is that you can find big fish at Christmas Island anytime if you are willing to skip fishing for numbers and fish the edges and areas that hold the larger fish. I've seen some fish there that I believe would go fifteen pounds or more and I have caught fish up to about twelve pounds.

[Luke Wyrsta]

The bonefishing (amongst other fishing) is mind blowing in New Caledonia.

Some say that you don't see an awful abudance of fish but this is contrary to my experiences.

It is true - there are 20lb bonefish that see very little fishing pressure. Get yourself to the even more remote northern islands and atolls and you are looking at zero pressure.

Despite the fact i am yet to fish some of the world's greatest bone destinations i can die happy as i have already fished NC. I have a couple times already and my future visits will involve paying clients.

Drop me a line if you ever need any more info about New Caledonia.

Cheers,
Luke

[razorz]

Did you get any good photos while in NC? If so, please share them.

I think my first exotic destination for bonefishing will be the Bahamas since it is so close. I'd really like to get out there and see these other places, but my work schedule doesn't allow me. :slap:

:gr_cheers:

[Shadowcast]

Where is New Caledonia???

[Luke Wyrsta]

Where is New Caledonia???

A short 2-2.5 hours flight from the east coast of Australia.

I will try to post some pics soon.

[Mat M]

New Caledonia is in the South Pacific and the bonefishing is sensational. I landed this 31 inch fish last April.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/Mathewmchugh/87DC13FA-E32C-2070-5DA86B7CC9C5695F.jpg

I am heading back in September. Prime fishing season is March-October and is easily accessed from Australia/NZ or Japan. If you want more information check out my site or drop me an email at m.mchugh@flyodyssey.co.uk

http://www.flyodyssey.co.uk/newcaledonia.html

Regards
Mat

[razorz]

Yar, 2 hours is short! If you live in Aussie!

Sounds like the Seychelles Islands.. sounded beautiful as I read about it in my book. Then I saw the map. It's half-way between Africa and Australia.

:bash:

Thank god I live near Biscayne Bay!

[jake61198]

Razorz,
The Seychelles are without a doubt the most beautiful place that I've ever seen, but you are absolutely right, it's an awful long trip from the east coast, about twenty two hours in the air. My guess is that New Caledonia would be about the same.

[Shadowcast]

That is a fat looking bonefish.

[Mat M]

A bit more info on New Cal.

If you fly from the West Coast via LA you can get connections through Tahiti, Fiji or Auckland. From the East coast via Paris and Tokyo. That bone was caught on the Isle des pines a little atoll of the southern end of New caledonia.

New Caledonia has a huge barrier reef running up the east coast. The most extensive flats lie to the north of the island (4-5 hour car trip from Noumea) around the boat pass area. This is remote and virtually unfished. The bonefish are big. You find them as singles, doubles and small pods of fish. There are also huge GT's and golden trevally on the flats.

Although the flight time from the states (west coast) is around the 16 hours it is a little different to the Seychelles where an overnight sail, in many cases, is then required to get to the fishing. A car ride to the northern end of the island or short flight (20-40min) to Ovea or Isle des pines has you on the flats.

Will get some more photos up soon.

cheers
Mat

[Luke Wyrsta]

Mat,

Where do you concentrate your fly fishing tours in NC?

I have fished the south very little.

I too will be back in September and then again 1st quarter next year to explore the flats of the islands beyond Boat Pass with 4 clients - will be an extraordinary trip.

[Mat M]

We fish the boatpass area. Am taking to highly respected journalists up there in September so I am sure you will read about it at some stage.

Do you do liveaboard or stay in Poingham?

Love to see some of your bonefish pics.

Mat

[Luke Wyrsta]

We fish the boatpass area. Am taking to highly respected journalists up there in September so I am sure you will read about it at some stage.

Do you do liveaboard or stay in Poingham?

Love to see some of your bonefish pics.

Mat

Hi Mat,

I will also be in the north in September, i will be fishing the reefs for GTs but plan to fit a few days around Boat Pass when that ends - our paths may cross!

May i ask what journalists you are taking?

We do not like to stay Poingham, we instead stay at Pagop Lodge which is closer to Boat Pass than Poingham. We also stay with a native friend who lives around the corner from Boat Pass right on the beach - it is spectacular! When we are fishing the reefs for big GT's we stay at Malabou.

Here are some pictures of my good guide friend, David- they are not big bones but I don't have many Bone pics from New Caledonia - long story:bash: . This area in the immediate background went on later to have dozens upon dozens of bones start to school and feed just before the tide change - i had never seen so many Bones in one place - on the last trip, a channel not far from there had the biggest Bone i had ever seen, it would've been 15lb easily.

http://ghostsoftheflats.com/images/bone1.jpg
http://ghostsoftheflats.com/images/bone2.jpg
http://ghostsoftheflats.com/images/bone3.jpg

For those interested - there will also be information and travel/guide info on my website dedicated to New Caledonia Bonefishing (it is under construction at the moment): http://www.ghostsoftheflats.com

There is also awesome reef and bluewater flyfishing available including some flats/reefs/atolls that get marauded by huge GTs. Although not fly, you can see more information about the type of GTs (similiar to the Jack Crevalle but much bigger!) here: http://www.gtpopping.com/malabounc.php

You can always fly to sunny Australia, experience the awesome fishing there then it's only a hop skip and jump to NC.

Cheers,
Luke