Many world class tournaments are held in the Florida Keys in search for the largest bonefish. We’re not talking about Wednesday’s catch of the day special either. We’re going up against one of the smartest fish that puts up an exciting catch. The warm waters of Islamorada allow the bonefish to thrive. Bonefish migrate to shallow waters as the tides fall, in search of shrimp, crabs and small fish. As one of Islamorada’s premiere bonefish guide’s, Capt. Mark Johnson can chum a strong current, enticing the fish back to the area of the angler waiting patiently with his bait or spinning rod.
If you fancy a hunting style of fishing you may be interested in sight casting. A guide will use the aid of a pole or trolling motor to spot fish prior to a cast ever being made. A shrimp is then skillfully casted in front of the fish and its history from there. If that all sounds too easy for you, bonefish can also be caught on the fly. This method tends to be productive on days when the water is calm and a minuet disturbance can send the fish running. Spring and fall tend to be the best months for catching the big boys with a surge in overall numbers around March. Summertime is the early bird season, bringing large quantities of the fish into the flats for an early feeding.