I’ve noticed a real trend in my own picture taking when it comes to bonefish.
My first bonefish pics were pretty much the standard bearer for what not to do. Long air exposure, excessive handling. Those fish probably didn’t do well.
Yeah... I cringe a bit seeing these pictures.
I didn’t know better and the guide on that particular trip didn’t seem concerned in the slightest. It was kind of a big #fail, even if I didn’t know it yet.
The next trip (same island, different guide) was a big change. I knew better and I was glad to see the guide knew better too. Captain Perry was my guide and he was very, very vigilant when it came to handling of fish. The whole day with him we didn’t take a single fish out of the water for pictures.
My last trip to Cuba I found that I was often foregoing the photo-op. Maybe I’d take a pic of the fish underwater, but often times I would just let them go at the side of the boat and not even snap a single picture. The pics aren’t too glamorous, but I’ve found I’m a bit less concerned about that now. I do like having a nice photo and I have a few, but I don’t need a hero shot with every fish, or even most of them.
Let those fish swim.
Maybe not the sexiest pic.
Here’s advice from BTT about how to handle a bonefish and how to practice good C&R.
