Fact is though, generally speaking ...just about any day in the Bahamas is a great day for Bonefishing!

Most travelers who are not bound by their children’s vacation schedule, wishing to get away from the dreary, biting cold of their winter, opt to take a break sometime in January/February .Weather conditions are usually beautiful. Clear, crisp and sunny days, mildly warm but not what we consider scorching hot as for example can be in our summer months. Because of occasional cold fronts blowing thru from the US it can get quite windy on certain days so your casting techniques will be put to the test! During this time of the year, because of the cooler water temperatures, the bigger bones are closer to shore, in more shallow depths, a great time for anglers looking for the big Bones! There is little or no rain and so for the most part mosquitoes are dormant!

In March and April we tend to experience our more “spring” like weather, similar as January and February, perhaps not quite so many chilly days. As the US temps start to warm up a little, it can get quite warm already here during this time of the year. Lots of fish on the flats and many big Bones intermingled in larger schools of smaller bonefish. This is our PEAK fishing period for the entire year, as this is a most popular travel time for families with children with the exception of the Christmas and New Year period. This is a beautiful time to experience the Bahamas for those who are more comfortable in cooler temps and loving the fishing experience.

In May and right thru till end of August we experience hot summer days, absolutely stunning colors out on the flats, little or no winds, fishing conditions are close to perfect! An awesome time out on the water ...for those who love it hot! Fishing is easy with huge schools of mostly smaller fish, and occasional bigger ones too ! AND ...not to forget those occasional Permits out on the flats through out the year!

September we’re off on vacation and Resorts close for renovations ...and we’re back in a more cool October to start off the fishing season again. Bigger fish start to come back on the flats as the temps cool off a little from the hot summer!

October and November being again, very popular fishing months due to the more mild temperatures. A favourite time for folks with no kids to get away before the rush of Christmas and New Year! The flats have gotten a little break and so lots of fish are back out on the flats.

NEWS INFO FROM DOCKY ...as published :

MARCH 2006 ISSUE OF SALT WATER SPORTSMAN:

NEWS & EVENTS

“The Bone Collectors”

Headed for the flats? First take this advise from the best in the business.

GO AGAINST THE FLOW:

Guide: James “Docky Smith

Homeport: Long Island, Bahamas

Experience: Owner of Bonafide Bonefishing

Tactic: Most people don’t like to fish high tide,” Smith says. “I love high tide.”

When the water is up, Smith knows the fish will be coming out of the mangroves so he patrols an area where three of four creeks dump into the flats. “Don’t be afraid of the wind”, he adds, explaining that it scared other anglers, leaving the flats empty, and can mask the sound of your approaching boat.

DON’T ROCK THE BOAT

Guide: Ken Collette

Homeport: Key Biscayne, Florida

Experience: 30 years as a professional captain

Tactic: Many anglers go to great lengths to sneak up on a school of feeding bonefish silently, then sharke the boat as they false cast. “Its okay to talk,” Collette says. “ I even play my stereo when I fish tournaments, but moving the boat send shock waves through the water. The fish feel the displacement of water, and it alerts everything in the whole area”.

SRIKE OUT

Guide: Bobby Settles

Homeport: Ascension Bay, Mexico

Experience: Managing partner of the Casa Blanca Fishing Lodge

Tactic: ‘Don’t strike with the rod,” Settles says. “Strike with the line”. There is a two-fold advantage to setting the hook by coming right on the line instead of arching the rod. First, the mouth of a bonefish faces down so the hook doesn’t have to be pulled up. Second, if the initial hit doesn’t connect, the angler might get a second change by not spooking the fish.

Written By: Ric Burnley

STELLA MARIS AIRPORT CLOSURE UPDATE

When Government, with no prior notice, closed the Stella Maris airport on the 27th. February, angry Long Islanders immediately swung into action. Some 2 weeks later, Government decided in Parliament that the Stella Maris Airport will re-open as a Government airport; bids are already in place and improvement work ready to begin. Work should be completed, and the airport back in service in three months. For the time being, all aircrafts (Bahamas Air/Charters and Private Planes) will use the Deadman’s Cay airport, some 40 miles south of Stella Maris. The fuel truck is there to provide fuel and Government is working diligently in setting up a temporary office to move Customs/Immigration and Port of Entry to Deadman’s Cay as soon as possible. This is great news for Long Island and we are looking forward to a new and improved landing strip in Stella Maris very shortly. While the 1 hour taxi ride from the south is a bit of a headache, it is still manageable and on the bright side you immediately get your Island Tour! You can also use this time to stop at one of the larger grocery stores on the way north to buy your items you may want for your trip! Don’t let this deter your vacation planning !

 

Congratulations to Baron Herr Rasso Von Cramer Klett for this magnificent 12 pound Bonefish caught on fly, 23rd. March, 2006 ….a new Bonafide Record! A beautiful fish and was successfully released! And 2 days later caught this tough little Permit a real fighter - also caught on fly!

If you looking to get away a bit ….weather conditions as you can see, simply can’t get better right now! Baron Von Kramer Klett in awe of the color spectrum of our Bahamian waters , simply breathtaking! And there’s ….

Take care everybody ...wishing you all a great summer, we certainly are enjoying our bright, bright, sunshiny days and hope you will too! Jill and Docky