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July 27, 2009
- Bahamas Bonefishing Summer 2009
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It has been a while since the last report. We
have been in the Bahamas for a long time fishing
the flats for Bonefish. South Florida had its
typical summer pattern with Bonefish and the
migration of Tarpon. Before the trip to the
Bahamas we did fish for Tarpon and Bones and had
some productive fishing. As the first week in
June approached , we left for the Exuma Islands
in the Bahamas and had some great fishing. We
fished a number of different areas in all
different types of conditions. Like in South
Florida, the weather wasn't typical and played a
major role in the fishing productivity.
Thunderstorms and lightning became an issue
mostly in the afternoons , but until then we had
good water temps and caught numerous fish
throughout the trip. We explored areas on the
island that don't get any fishing pressure and
found the fish eating every fly or lure we
presented. Not to say that nobody has ever fish
these areas, but more than likely these fish
don't see very many flies if any at all most of
the year. We were fishing this time based on what
water temp would be at this time of year. Which
would be just around 80 degrees, and this is what
is was. The worst part was the wind that would
come out of the west, and in this direction had
fish on edge, which is common. We also fished
areas that are well known for numbers of fish,
like the South Side Airport flat. There wasn't
many anglers that I saw and even during the
height of the season this last spring, not many
people fishing. I guess the economy has it's
positive spin in some ways. I do here complaints
that these fish are like " Florida Keys Fish "
and don't take a fly well. I have fished both
places for a very long time and would have to
disagree. Weather plays the biggest role of all.
Fish get nervous with bad wind direction or hard
winds blowing. The worst time of year to fish
there is the winter much like the Keys. You do
get those days that things calm down and sun
shines bright. The fish get up on the flats and
feed most of the day. For the most part, Bonefish
like it warm, like humans. On this flat with warm
calm water, we saw hundreds of fish that kept us
busy for hours with numerous catches. Yes they
are smaller fish but they do go into the backing
on an 8wt.fly rod, which isn't bad. They are
there and doing the same thing they have been for
years at the same tide. When they get bigger they
move on to different areas. Some flats all you
see are bigger fish, which is a nice change up.
Some of the other fishing we did was off the
beaches for Baracuda and Palometa. My kids had a
great time casting off the beach when they would
see the fish in the surf. On a number of days we
would see these big Baracuda cruising up and down
the beach. I rigged up a big spinning rod with a
plug on it so my son could make some cast to it.
On a day that I was Bonefishing on the other side
of the island, my wife and kids landed the
Baracuda. My son Chris made the casts and hooked
it but needed a little help from mom to pull it
in. They revived it and let it go. That must of
been very exciting and wish I was there. They
have all become good anglers. We look forward to
our next trip. A number of people have ask about
going there on a small budget. We have ways you
can do these trips on the Airport Flats and if
you are willing to put in some time and be
adventurous, you can make it a great trip. We
have legal access to this area via private land.
This is a launch point with ramp and harbor if
you choose to go in kayaks or wade. We always
recommend fishing with one of our chosen guides
for at least a day. The photo is of Captain
Chris Scalley from River Through Atlanta with one
of the many Bonefish we caught on our trip. For
more photos of this trip and the area, please go
to the "Bahamas" gallery on this site via
Scrapbook Link. Good fishing Capt. John.
Bonefish@Bellsouth.net
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