A DIY Bonefish Adventure in the Bahamas

I’ve said before that angling is a journey rather than a destination. It’s a natural progression that as we achieve more of our initial goals, we set ourselves new challenges. Most recently, the challenge I set for myself and my wife was to go on a completely DIY bonefish adventure in the Bahamas.

I’m very fortunate that my family like me lives and breathes fly fishing. They understand the time effort and dedication that’s needed to be successful. Over the last 40 years I fished many wonderful places around the world for a variety of species. Initially, it was always with guide or outfitter. This means that, basically, little effort is required in order to be successful. Guides have an intimate knowledge of their waters, they know what times of day, what tides and areas are most productive and the best patterns for any given circumstances or season. They quickly formulate an accurate opinion of their client and their angling ability. Then, they base the day around them ensuring fish are seen and caught. In short, the guide in the majority of cases is the reason many of us are instantly successful on a saltwater trip.

I’ve loved every minute fishing with guides. I’ve learnt a great deal from them and how they approach different scenarios. However, I’m now at a stage in my angling journey where I get more enjoyment studying the tides, weather and google earth while attempting to work everything out for myself. Yes, I fully appreciate I would catch more fish with a guide, but I get much more satisfaction doing things myself and muddling though.

Where should we go?

My wife and I decided that we should combine a winter holiday with some fishing. After some considerable research we booked a flight from the UK headed out to the Bahamas in late December. 2 weeks of sun, sea and fishing sounded perfect. The Bahamas are in the Atlantic Ocean and roughly southeast of the US state of Florida. It consists of more than 3,000 individual islands. Some are very small and remote. Fly fishing is an integral part of its economy—so much so a picture of a bonefish even adorns their 10-cent coin.

After a day in the capital Nassau we took a flight to one of the out islands—or, family islands as they are known. I reasoned that the more difficult the island was to reach, the less people (tourists and anglers) would be there. That also, hopefully, would mean less angling pressure on the fish. After a short 1-hour flight we arrived at our new destination. It was some 150 miles south of Nassau with flights only scheduled on and off the island 3 times a week. If I’d made the wrong decision, it was going to be a long 12 days.

Getting settled in

Our accommodation was best described as a beach hut with a kitchen. I had found it on Air B&B. There were no hotels to choose from and we figured that as we were going to fishing every day it was easier to cook basic meals ourselves. I also managed to hire a car—or rather a scrap heap on wheels. It couldn’t be locked, every tire was completely bald and one had a slow puncture that required it to be pumped up every day before setting off. The dashboard, though, was thoughtfully very festive. It looked almost like a Christmas tree with warning lights flashing everywhere. Still, it was cheap, and a vehicle was essential in order to collect groceries and get to the beaches & flats. It did the job!

Where could we find bonefish?

“Google Earth” and “What 3 Words” became essential to us they provided a bird’s eye view of the island. We could identify potential flats and map out fishing areas. I just needed to work out the tide times. A google check online provided us with the supposed tide details for the area. However they were clearly wrong – around 1.5 hours off. So, I made rough calculations that literally involved sticking sticks in the sand to determine the high and low points of the tide.

We’ve been honing our bonefish collection for years, and it’s now loaded with proven patterns. You can check out our top 10 on the blog here.

After a day settling into our new surroundings, collecting groceries and scoping out the island out we decided that Monday 23^rd of December would be our first day’s fishing. I had identified a nice flat at the north end of the island with a creek system that was surrounded by mangroves and sheltered from the north easterly winds due to its crescent shaped bay. It had all the ingredients and features I was looking for and should be perfect. Would there be fish there?

Our first day’s fishing

We arrived at 08:00am and low tide by my calculations was 08:30am. It was my intention to fish low tide and the first 4 hours of the incoming tide. Hopefully the bonefish would be looking to get back across the flats and into the mangroves to feed. First, though, we had to make our way through the mangroves. Quickly, it was obvious that no one had been this way before. It wasn’t easy or enjoyable as our legs soon became scratched from the quite thick scrub and bush as we were foolishly only wearing shorts. Upon reaching the flat we were breathless. It was beautiful. Our spirits were lifted. Suddenly all our efforts seemed worthwhile, the flat looked absolutely perfect.

However, that’s where the dream ended. The next 45 minutes were a disaster. The flat was soft—very soft—and more mud and silt than sand. Every step resulted in us over our knees in silt. It was impossible to wade quietly without a constant squelch or splash. This was not at all enjoyable and hard work. Plus, any self-respecting bonefish would surely have fled to Cuba of Florida due to the commotion we were making.

Returning home

We could find no hard bottom to the flat and knew it was a fruitless exercise. Covered in mud and totally knackered we headed back to the car some ¼ of a mile away having not seen a fish of any description. Frustration and tensions were high, and this suddenly seemed a very stupid idea. I had written the day off from a fishing perspective as early hours of the incoming tide were lost. I resigned myself to a cold shower, a cold beer or 3 and to study Google Earth again.

On the drive back we passed along a beautiful sandy beach. It was just 20ft from the road, and a typical Bahamas beach that you’d likely go to with the kids and family for a day to play in the sea. No mangroves or creeks to attract fish, just a beautiful sandy beach. My wife Samantha declared that she wanted to fish the area as at the very least it would enable her to wash all the mud off her clothes and boots before we got back to the house.

With zero enthusiasm I got out of the car, passed her a rod and loudly declared that she could have the first opportunity to walk the beach and flat. I was my usual chivalrous self. In reality I was thinking this means I would get the first opportunity on the next area we fish. Hopefully it would be a better flat with distinctly more opportunities rather than a beach.

Samantha Edmunds gets it done

I watched my wife some 20m away walking along the beach suddenly stop and stoop down. Itt was clear she had spotted something. She beckoned me over and in hushed tones she told me there was a shoal of bonefish some 30m away to her left. In my head I instantly dismissed it. Firstly, it was quite broken water. There was no way she could see anything that distance away. Secondly there were no features and everything looked wrong. We were literally by a road with occasional traffic.

“Crack on, you spotted them. You cast to them.”

I muttered with a distinctly sarcastic tone, slowly walking past her assuming she was wrong. I hadn’t got 15 yards when I heard an excitable female scream. It was the one that sends chills down every man’s neck—the excited scream that says I’m right, I’ve done it. I won’t let you forget and you are totally wrong. I looked round to see her rod arched over with a fish running at speed.

“Bonefish, I told you so” was her only response.

New for 2025, Signature Tyer Mike Mitchell offers some exceptional bonefish and permit patterns.

It wasn’t really needed, It was clear for me to see. Five minutes later she was cradling her first DIY bonefish of around 2lb. To be fair I was mightily impressed with her. My enthusiasm was also rekindled, and I entered the water some 150m away. It wasn’t long before I’d also seen a couple of bonefish meandering along the shoreline. They were just 3 meters out. I made my cast, didn’t spook them and got a take. However instinct kicked in and I instantly struck upwards with a typical trout strike. My first opportunity was missed much to the amusement of my wife who promptly offered to guide for me as it was clear I was struggling. I must remember to strip strike in future.

We ended the day with three bonefish between us in the 2 – 4lb range. We had several missed opportunities each. I felt pretty pleased with our efforts. However, our success on finding an area holding fish was mainly a result of good fortune. Over the next 5 days we fished a number of different flats, with varying degrees of success in all instances we saw and caught bonefish which we felt was an achievement.

Week 2 with a hired skiff

For the second week I even managed to hire a skiff from one of the islanders that we were free to use by ourselves. It allowed us more versatility and to reach even more obscure areas. It also allowed us to access several deep channels and holes which proved invaluable on those overcast days when spotting fish on the flats was practically impossible.

My wife and I began a steep learning curve. Through trial and error we built on our experiences and soon began to consistently catch bonefish in the 4 – 5lb class. Our biggest pushed the scales at around 8lb. The more time you spend on any water the more in tune with it you become. We were spending 10 hours a day searching for fish so it wasn’t a surprise we identified many of it’s little traits.

A huge trigger fish

My most memorable catch of the trip was undoubtably a Triggerfish that I saw tailing at distance in just 3 – 4ft of shallow water. I managed to leave the skiff and slowly stalk it on foot for around 100m before it swam back directly in front of me. It was at the absolute limit of my casting. For once I got my cast exactly right and the white flexo crab dropped just a couple of feet in front of the fish without spooking it.

A couple of short pulls and a pause was all that was needed and the fish instantly hit my fly. What I hadn’t expected was the speed or determination these fish put up in a fight. Due to their shape, I expected a slow methodical fight, basically a war of attrition. What I got instead was fast, powerful determined runs with lots of changes of direction. Fortunately, the flat was open with zero snags or rocks other than a small amount of turtle grass. After around 20 minutes I beached the huge fish, which I knew was prized as table fare. It was quickly despatched and placed into the skiff.

The weigh in

That evening when returning the skiff for refueling at the dock (a very loose term for a couple of pallets tied together) my prized catch was spotted by a couple of locals. They couldn’t believe it’s size or that I had even caught it on the fly, and then weighed it on some crude hand-held scales and declared it was 10lb 10oz. They both wanted photographs taken whilst holding it. At this point, I knew it was a considerably better capture than I initially thought.

An offer was made that they would skin and fillet the fish for me. I could then pick which of the fillets I wanted while they would keep the other. As there was plenty of meat and I didn’t have a filleting knife to hand, it seemed like a fair proposal. I readily accepted. I can confirm it was eaten that night and was absolutely delicious. So much so that for the next couple of days I left the bone fishing to my wife and sought to target fish we could eat. This was much easier than I anticipated and a lot of fun especially when conditions on the flats (little sun or high winds) were against you.

Fishing for dinner

I had a simple method, a long leader 16 – 17ft of 25lb fluorocarbon and a heavily weighted shrimp pattern. I reasoned pretty much everything in the sea eats shrimps. Then, I identified some structure such as a deep blue hole, reef, fallen mangrove tree, deep channel etc. and cast into it counting my fly down through the depths.  When I thought my fly was midwater to near the bottom. A short sharp jerky 12” retrieve was all that was needed.

If there were any fish, I would get a response within the first 5 casts. Once hooked I soon found that I had to pile on the pressure instantly and bully the fish up and away from any obstructions. If not I would invariably become snagged up . I found out that snapper really fight dirty. I appreciate it may not be to everyone’s liking but it provided me with many hours of sport and some good meals.

Mutton Snapper in the 4 – 6lb class were quite plentiful, fight very hard and are delicious eating. With that said, I only took one fish for the table every other day.

On reflection

On reflection this was a thoroughly enjoyable trip. OK, we didn’t catch the number of fish we would have on an organized trip with guides but we did average 3 bonefish (between us) per day with the biggest around 8lb. Plus there were numerous fish of other species to catch. To me it was a very rewarding experience.

I won’t claim to be anything close to an expert at salt-water fly-fishing. I’m still learning every time I venture out on the flats. However, it soon became very apparent there were distinct ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ that helped us stack things in our favour.

Do’s

• Fish flats that border features. These are channels, creeks, mangroves, turtle grass and rocky bottoms.
• Identify ambush points. Deep channels leading into expansive flats or creeks systems. The bonefish will use these to enter and exit the flats.
• Pick areas of white sand between turtle grass and watch. The fish are easier to see when they move across the sand rather than the vegetation.
• As a rule, aim to cast 5 to 10ft in front of the fish.
• Make casts quickly and with the minimum of false casts.
• I prefer to crouch/stoop to keep a low profile so the fish can’t see my silhouette when retrieving
• Wade with the sun behind you, you can’t spot fish looking into the glare or reflection
• Early morning and late evening the wind is much lighter and the water calmer, it makes for easier fish spotting.
• Fish as long a leader as you possibly can. In calm, clear water I used 16ft leaders and in windy weather 10ft leaders of between 12lb and 15lb fluorocarbon.

Want to try some of our new bonefish and permit flies for your next adventure? Check them out here.

• Cast within your limitations to ensure the cast and leader turns over correctly.
• Patterns with natural fur and rubber legs have more movement in the water and were most effective.
• The weight of your fly is important. Heavier flies turn over well in high winds and sink quickly but can spook fish. Fish as light as possible given the conditions. (as a rule the fly should take 2-4 seconds to reach the bottom)
• Have a plan when you hook a fish. Pile on the pressure and try and guide it away from obstructions and into open water.
• Keep your rod high when you hook a fish, the drag of a full fly-line through the water can pull your hook. Additionally, the line /backing can get cut off by a rock.
• Always carry a spare floating line.
• Play the fish off the reel or the fly line and backing will get tangled. It may also cut your fingers.
• Finger guards are essential.
• Shrimp or Crab patterns are all you will need but in different weights and sizes to account for the different depths of water and conditions.

Don’ts

• Do not overcast as in trout fishing and pull your fly back into the bonefish’s path (the shadow of the fly-line will spook a bonefish)
• For the same reason do not cast at its tail or generally into a shoal of Bonefish, if one fish is spooked, they all spook.
• Don’t panic or rush. Your first cast is always your best opportunity.
• Don’t trout set. Strip strike to set the hook.
• Don’t overlook deep channels & holes. If there are no bonefish on the flats other species can provide a lot of sport on those slow days and a nice meal.
• Don’t shout, and don’t move too fast. (In windy weather you can get away with much more as your mistakes as camouflaged to some extent)

Our best patterns

Micro Flexo Crab. The crabs were often white in the Bahamas so this was a perfect imitation.

Bahamas Pink Shrimp

Squimp Shrimp

If you want to hear more stories, tips and tactics from Rob Edmunds, check out his other articles on our blog.

Rob Edmunds

Rob Edmunds is a stillwater and reservoir fishing expert. "I began fly-fishing at just 4 years old and match fishing soon became my primary focus after first representing England at just 16 years of age. A stellar career beckoned and I've been fortunate enough to win a number (9) of European titles both individually and as part of a team. A creative fly-tyier and responsible for many of the popular patterns we now take for granted (Nemo, Tequila Blob, Traffic Light Buzzer, Snake Booby etc...). My focus has shifted slightly in recent years to targeting specimen trout. Currently the only person to have ever caught at least 1 "double figure trout" from all 4 of the Anglian Water Reservoirs. A regular contributor in the angling press for over 20 years (Trout Fisherman, Trout & Salmon) and well known on the stillwater and reservoir circuit.

Explore more of Rob Edmunds's posts

Back to blog posts

Next Blog Post: The World Fly Fishing Championships ft. Howard Croston Episode 2