Bonefish are one of the most sought after gamefish both fly fishermen and spin fishers seek when traveling to the Bahamas. This powerful fish is what draws most fishermen to the Bahamas. They seem tailor made for fly fishing and light tackle. The bonefish love shallow water in warm environments. They can be a bit spooky, but at the same time but not too hard to catch even for the relative novice, and Joe is very good at getting you hooked up!
In Calm weather a short run off-shore can yield shots at bluewater species like tuna, mahi-mahi and wahoo. The Abaco’s boasts one of the largest barrier reefs in the world and it abounds with grouper, snapper, large jacks, and barracuda just to name a few species.
Choose between fishing Hills Creek or the Marls, both offering excellent bonefishing. Hills Creek is a short boat ride away, while the Marls, with its hundred miles of flats, is accessible via a brief car ride. Refreshments are provided.
Tour Times
Price
$400 per person
Spend a full day fishing either the Marls, known for its abundant bonefish and barracuda, or Cooperstown, where you can also target permit. Start at the marina, fish all day with a lunch break, and return by late afternoon.
Tour Times
Price
$625 per person
Captain Joe Pritchard has been fishing the flats in and around Treasure Cay for over 30 years! Explore the flats of Treasure Cay. With literally a hundred miles of flats there is no shortage of flats to roam. If you see another boat on the flat during your day it is the exception rather than the rule. Joe knows all the fishable flats and will put you on the bones.
Joe recalls when he was in training to be a bonefish guide over 30 years ago, that they would fly over the flats to map them and learn the waters. The next step in his training was to get on the water to experience the flats up close and personal. Poling for bonefish truly is an art. If you have ever gotten up on a poling platform you will learn this truth IMMEDIATELY!
Joe is personable and knowledgeable. It is a fun day, whether full or half spent with Joe hunting the bones on the flats!
The Abaco’s are deeply connected to the sport of bonefishing. The Treasure Cay Bonefish Club has many active members who get on the flats at every opportunity. As you fly into Marsh Harbor you can see the Marls from the plane, Located on the south side of Great Abaco, we have miles and miles of mangrove flats, the ideal location for bonefish.
On any given day you can see a variety of wildlife and fish including many species of birds from blue heron to the native Abaco Parrot. You will see sharks, rays, crab, lobster and juvenile fish of almost every species. But, you will likely see the most turtles you have ever seen! Mostly green turtles of every size.
Rods: 7-9 Weight, Medium to Fast-Action
Lines: 7-9 Weight Forward Floating Bonefish (to match rod weight)
Leaders: 16-20 lb, 9-12 ft
Reels: Min. 150 yds. 20 lb. backing. Large Arbor preferred (to match Rod)
Crazy Charlie – size 4, 2, 1 (Tan/White + Pink)
Yarn Crab – size 2, 4 (Tan, White)
Doug’s Gotcha – size 4, 2, 1
Vaverka’s Mantis Shrimp – size 4, 6
Hot-Legs Gotcha – size 4, 2, 1 (Tan/Pearl + Hot Pink or Orange)
Of course, spin fishing is still welcome. Ultra-light outfits with smooth drags and plenty of backing will get it done. Rods should be fast action, 7-footers with strung with either high-tech braid or at least 150 yards of 10-20 pound mono. For bonefish the most popular flies are the Crazy Charlie, Gotcha, Puff and Hot-legs Gotcha. Bring your own flies or get some hand tied by local bonefisher Doug. As you can see we fish mostly shrimp patterns that are light in colors like white, tan and pink. Bring a variety of weighted flies to handle varying conditions and water depth. For tarpon you’ll want to add on a few feet of 60-100 pound fluorocarbon bite tippet. Tarpon love flashy spoon and crankbaits (saltwater grade), but they’ll also grab a bonefish jig if fished right. Spinning tackle is also great for targeting large barracudas on the flats, but you’ll need a wire leader for these toothy critters. While they’ll eat tarpon lures, one of our favorite lures is a Cuda-Tube, a long colorful lure with the wire trace built in. Great for site fishing the flats or blind casting deeper channels.
Even when on the boat for the full or half day, if you prefer to wade there are endless firm, shallow flats, and our guides will find the best ones for the tide at hand. Taking that extra person and trading times in the boat and wading makes for a fun day and gets more people on the water. Wading is a great way to go one-on-one with bonefish and there’s nothing like stalking and hooking a bonefish in ankle-deep water and watching your flyline slicing across the flat toward deeper water.