You can find this bonefish microfiber shirt here.

Yup, I have this one too.

Here’s the store.

Indeed.

There they are.

This is what’s on tap.

• 11 wt – Predator from Redington (I fished this in a 9 in December)
• 10 wt – Helios from Orvis (I’ve fished this before in a 10 and an 8 )
• 8 wt – One from Sage (brand new)
• 8 wt – mystery prototype rod

That’s a pretty sweet line up. The only thing I don’t really have in there is a dedicated permit rod, but that’s because I hope I find more time casting to baby tarpon and not-baby bonefish than searching for permit. I just can’t help it… that’s how I feel. Don’t hate me.

These are not my rods, of course. The sad day when I get back will be returning these rods to their corporate parents. I hope to get a sense of where the new Sage One stacks up to one of my favorite rods, the Helios.  The Predator is a good, workman rod that is the low-cost rod of the bunch. The prototype? I’ve never cast a prototype before.

Basically… I’ll keep you posted and I. CAN’T. WAIT.

Sure made that look easy.

Check out the big bones of New Caledonia at: hotasafish: big bonefish in new caledonia.

Charles Rangeley-Wilson is a Brit of some fishing reputation.  He went to New Caledonia a couple-three years ago and found some big ole bonefish there.  New Caledonia is one of those places where the fish aren’t numerous, but they are big… real big… up to 30 pounds (totally kidding on that, just wanted to see if you were paying attention… they might get up to the magical 20 pound mark there, although I’ve yet to see the confirming photo of such a fish).

Sadly, the photos on the post are not recent… more a trip down memory lane… but it is a nice trip… scenic and fishy.

Here’s Charles with another bone…

Yeah, there are bones in San Diego Bay.  They are not as big as they get… well… in most places.  Doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with them though.

This isn’t the kind of bonefishing most of us think of… no walking the crystal flats looking for subtle movment.  This is sinking line and blind casting.  If you have a kayak, you can head out there yourself.

If you are looking for a guide (like SoCal Fly Fishing Outfitter), you can pick one up for about $350 (before tip).

This trip is certainly under $1,000.  You’ll just have to take another trip for the mangroves and conch.

On bait, some fish around 2-3 pounds  can be caught, although fly fisherman tend to get smaller fish from the reports I’ve read.

Hell’s Bay makes some really good looking boats… really, really nice.

That’s the Marquesa Advantage and it looks awesome.  It costs more than 2x what my new Mazda costs, but I’ll bet it is more fun.

THE FLY LANDED in the right place. You let the small shrimp imitation sink to the proper level, and the bonefish seems to have noticed it. It’s time to start acting like a shrimp.

via Fly Fishing Techniques, Bonefish – MidCurrent.

Rig your rods with flies before you step into a boat. This way when your guide stops the boat you are on the bow and ready to fish by the time he makes his first push with the pole. I can’t tell you how many times I caught and landed bonefish while someone was struggling to get their rod strung up.

You can read all of Al’s advice at Al Caucci Fly Fishing.

I want to catch a fish that big.  I can’t really comprehend what that pull must be like.

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