Pursuing Wintertime Bonefishing
by Capt. Barry Hoffman
(page 3)
One of the best ways to catch
bonefish is on light tackle with live shrimp. I’ll use a seven foot fast
action rod. Attached to it, a spinning reel with a line capacity of about 200
yards of ten pound test. The last twenty inches of line is doubled with
a Bimini Twist. To this end a 2/0 hook is tied. I suggest using a Mustad
freshwater hook #33637B. It’s a thin wire hook that will rust out quickly in the
salt should you loose a bonefish to the bottom. The drag should be a very smooth
one. These fish are capable of a long sustained run. The drag must be up to the
task. When using live shrimp as a bait for bonefish, it is important to remove
the tail before placement of the hook. In hooking the shrimp I’ll enter the open
area where the tail was removed. Then I’ll thread the shrimp on the hook about
the length of the shank. This is the point where I’ll come out of the bottom of
the shrimp, pull the hook out until the hook eye is just inside the shrimp. Then
I’ll turn the hook over and replace it up into the shrimp so that the point just
sticks out of the top of the body of the shrimp. At this point I’ll crush
the head. 
There
are two reasons for rigging the shrimp this way. The first reason is to
prevent the shrimp from spinning in the water upon retrieving it. Most times it
will be important to manipulate the shrimp in order to get it in front of the
moving school of bonefish. Having the tail attached would cause the shrimp to
spin while retrieving line. This would put unnecessary twist in your line making
it tougher to cast. You’ve already got enough to worry about with these fish!
In addition sometimes it is necessary to hop the shrimp a bit to get their attention
should the fish change its direction. With the tail removed the shrimp could move
naturally (backwards) as though it’s trying to escape. Another plus to removing
the tail of the shrimp and squeezing the head, it provides the addition of scent
through the open wound. Many times it is the smell that will turn the head of
a bonefish to track its prey upcurrent.
If you’re more of a flyfishing masochist, like myself (the wind is a constant companion this time of year), here are a few suggestions for flies to throw. Capt. Bob Rodgers -- a Tavernier based guide -- uses a Chernobyl shrimp pattern for the majority of his wintertime bonefishing. The larger profile of this Tim Borski fly sinks slower and may more closely imitate a shrimp. I’ll use a bonefish slider pattern with an epoxied head. The profiles of these flies are at about two to two and a half inches in length. Give ‘em something to find and to feed on. When the fish are moving at a more brisk pace, it’s time to get your stripping hand in high gear and keep up with them. Often, they’ll over-run the fly. Keep ahead of the fish or at least even with them. A fly sitting on the bottom will be quickly overlooked.
Don’t let the winter time weather stop you from pursuing these tremendous gamefish. Bundle up and get out on the water. The bones have migrated north for the Winter, but they’ve had a layover in the Upper Keys.
You can contact
Capt. Barry Hoffman at:
Email: [email protected]
Or, visit his Web site
http://flatsguide.com/
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