Monster Bonefish
Today I saw the biggest bonefish I have ever seen. He was no more than 40 feet away. Conditions were perfect, standing on the bow of the boat, sun at my back, wind at my back. Easy cast to lead him going right to left. Only one slight problem—-no fly rod in my hand. It was put away in the rod holders on the boat. By the time I got it out, he was gone.
This is the sickening truth of what took place. I was by myself and had tied the boat on the lee side of this big mangrove and waded this small flat. There were lots of clouds but the bottom was real light so there was some visibility. First fish I got was with a 20 foot roll cast. Shortly after I got another with a very short cast. These fish were in about 3 feet of water. I was standing on a bar close to this little channel and couldn’t see them until they were real close. Both fish were good sized and took me well into my backing. The clouds got heavier and wind got stronger so I decided to go back to the boat. I untied the boat and let the wind push it across this small flat out to the channel. I jumped up on the bow to have a look-see around and that’s when I saw him.
I’m guessing that fish would exceed 15 pounds. Herman had told me of a huge fish in that area.
The lesson to be learned from this is always be ready. I must be retarded because I have done this several times. Fishing a lot by myself I quite often let the wind blow the boat across a flat and jump up on the bow with no rod just to have a quick look-see.
February 10th, 2010 at 8:45 am
Ain’t that the way it always goes. At least you didn’t mistake it for a large cuda or shark and cast said fly to it, realizing your mistake after it was too late. Up in the Joulters two years ago I see this honkin’ large fish coming from what seemed like a mile away. Perfect conditions, white sand……perfect shot. I say it must be a cuda it’s too long for a bonefish. So I take out my braided cuda fly on a steel leader, loop it on my bonefish hook and start casting. I made the perfect cast, but then realized the shape and eye looking back at me was not a cuda but one of the larger bonefish I’d ever had a shot at. I followed that sucker halfway across the flat never really catching up to him. It was one of those ” I know you’re following me but I’m going to tease you by swimming just fast enough ahead of you” type of swim aways.
I would gladly exchange my snow shovel for that fly rod right about now.
February 11th, 2010 at 8:05 am
i think if you ask most of the people that enjoy the outdoors each one will have a similar story. from the fish to the elk to the deer; you get my drift. i have come to the conclusion that those big boys that grow to giant status are just plain LUCKY. i recall a day with herman and son Sean. we were in Bowen sound poling into a very stiff breeze when Herman gave us the whistle. for those who have fished with Herman u know what the whistle is. there was a double digit fish in front of us that wasn’t spooky just nibbling in circles. after untold amounts of shots i just couldn’t get the fly close enough to get his attention. i got frustrated and called Sean to the bow. he casted until he couldn’t cast any more. sore shoulder. lol. we needed about 40 ft and only could give herman 39. we all laughed and watched that trophy fish just wander off. lucky fish i think. sorry ur gettin slammed Eric. we got it last year here.
February 11th, 2010 at 9:35 am
Iguess I will add my Herman/double digit bone story. Two years ago up in the Joulters close to the DC9 plane we were targeting bones in a deep water channel 5+ ft deep. Sure enough, one came cruising from behind and to the side, he went out in front circled around and for what seemed to be an hour Herman repositioned the boat, I would cast and finally got the take. For some reason I decided to “stick” the fish like I was trying to rip his head off… end of story. Except for Herman to call out from his perch for the next 1/2 hour, “Man, that was the fish of the trip”. His new nickname became “Captain Obvious”….
February 11th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Like I said, king of the “LDR”!!!!
I had forgotten about that one. I also forgot about the video I have in my possession from that one day on sh*t your pants flat back in Fresh Creek where you so graciously let those fish go at about 30-40 feet and were able to get your perfectly fine bonefish fly and hook back each time.
Ahhhhh, memories.
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