Bonefish

Oceans & Range: All tropical oceans worldwide — primarily a shallow-water flats fish of the tropical Western Atlantic. Most abundant in the Florida Keys, Bahamas, Belize, and throughout the Caribbean. Also found in Hawaii and across the Indo-Pacific. Found on clear, shallow grass flats, sandy flats, and mangrove edges in water 1–4 feet deep.

Preferred Water Temperature: 72°F–84°F. A sight fishing species targeted on shallow tropical flats. Moves onto flats with the incoming tide to feed and retreats to deeper water on the outgoing tide. Highly spooky — requires stealthy approach.

Size & Weight: Typical Florida Keys fish run 4–8 lbs. Trophy fish reach 14–16 lbs. World record: 19 lbs from South Africa. A sleek, silver, torpedo-shaped fish with a conical snout used for rooting crabs and shrimp from sandy bottom. Called the "Ghost of the Flats" for its speed and wariness. Almost universally released — one of the world's premier fly fishing species.

Best Lures: Small jigs (1/8 oz) with shrimp-shaped soft plastics are very effective. Small weighted crab imitations work on feeding fish. Presentation and accuracy are everything — cast 6–8 feet ahead of moving fish. Fly fishing with small shrimp and crab patterns is the classic approach — among the most challenging and rewarding fishing in the world.

Best Baits: Live shrimp (peeled or unpeeled) are the number one natural bait. Fresh whole small crabs are excellent. Pieces of fresh shrimp produce consistent results. Presentation is critical — fish must see the bait before it notices you. Fishing with a guide in the Florida Keys or Bahamas is strongly recommended for first-time bonefishers.

All tropical oceans worldwide — primarily a shallow-water flats fish of the tropical Western Atlantic. Most abundant in the Florida Keys, Bahamas, Belize, and throughout the Caribbean. Also found in Hawaii and across the Indo-Pacific. Found on clear, shallow grass flats, sandy flats, and mangrove edges in water 1–4 feet deep.

72°F–84°F. A sight fishing species targeted on shallow tropical flats. Moves onto flats with the incoming tide to feed and retreats to deeper water on the outgoing tide. Highly spooky — requires stealthy approach.

Best Lures: Small jigs (1/8 oz) with shrimp-shaped soft plastics are very effective. Small weighted crab imitations work on feeding fish. Presentation and accuracy are everything — cast 6–8 feet ahead of moving fish. Fly fishing with small shrimp and crab patterns is the classic approach — among the most challenging and rewarding fishing in the world. Best Baits: Live shrimp (peeled or unpeeled) are the number one natural bait. Fresh whole small crabs are excellent. Pieces of fresh shrimp produce consistent results. Presentation is critical — fish must see the bait before it notices you. Fishing with a guide in the Florida Keys or Bahamas is strongly recommended for first-time bonefishers.

Typical Florida Keys fish run 4–8 lbs. Trophy fish reach 14–16 lbs. World record: 19 lbs from South Africa. A sleek, silver, torpedo-shaped fish with a conical snout used for rooting crabs and shrimp from sandy bottom. Called the "Ghost of the Flats" for its speed and wariness. Almost universally released — one of the world's premier fly fishing species.