Many bonefish anglers in the Bahamas think of barracuda as that not-so-desirable species that you sometimes troll for when the weather is bad. At Andros South we disagree.
We regularly see barracuda on the flats, and in fact trolling for ‘cudas is very unusual on South Andros. If you’re poling down a flat, have that ‘cuda rod rigged and ready– if there are bonefish around, their predators are around too, and throwing a popper at that 4-foot-long critter makes for some pretty good sport.
We like a 10 weight, a floating line, and a wire leader (Rio’s Toothy Critter Leaders and TyGer Wire both work great). Big baitfish flies (4″+), crease flies and poppers all work great. Land the fly well in front of the fish, start stripping the instant it hits the water (or before)…and you can’t strip too fast! Be ready and don’t mind the explosion– that’s just flats fishing for ‘cudas.
Loren’s Bonefish/Barracuda rig: (I am sure others have figured this out too…)
Sometimes when out there on the flats wading the only rod you have of course is the bonefish rod with the usual mono tippet and bonefish fly. Years ago, after having several cudas close enough to cast but worth only the crash and the loss of the fly because of the light mono leader I decided to make up a little rig and pack it along. And, it works great. Just take along a cuda fly tied on about 10″ – 12″ of light wire. Tie in a slip knot on the end of the light wire and just put the slip knot on the bend of your bonefish fly, cinch it down and you’re casting with a rig that will land the cuda……and then what? It’s another kind of problem if you don’t have pliers! (And by the way, as these guys at Deneki recommend get the expensive pliers like Ross or Abel). Just thought I’d share something that works on the flats. Hope it works for you guys (and gals)
That is a fantastic tip, Loren. Thanks so much!
Andrew
This is a great idea Loren. In fact, the slip knot for tying on that second fly is a great idea for all fishing and much easier and faster than a clinch knot. Dr. Bruce Duke of Johnstown Pa. has a cool way of making an instrument tie slip knot that bariatric surgeons call a jam knot. I will try to describe the method:
1 create an uncrossed loop with the free tippet, a short and long arm
2 using a fine needle holder, make 2-3 wraps around the short arm
3 reach across with the pliers and grab the long arm of the tippet
4 pull a loop of the long arm through the wraps, this is now the loop of the slip knot
5 keep the loop open and pull the knot tight
6 slip the loop over the point of the hook and onto the bend, pull in the slack
7 trim the butt and there you go
Worked for the last five days tying sulfur emergers to duns on Spring Creek, Pa.