John Toker’s Bonefish Rig

John Toker used to work at Andros South, and over the years he’s spent a bunch of time on the flats.  Here’s his go-to bonefish rig, with his commentary.”I have had the good fortune of living and fishing on South Andros since 2003 while managing Andros South Lodge and previously the Bonefish Bay Club. In that time I have experienced all sorts of bonefishing and have had the chance to try every rig conceivable.

What I have learned is that I love big fish and tails glistening in the sunlight.  Below is the rig I have come up with for just those things.”

The Summary

• Sage 691-4 TCR
• Sage 3400D reel
• Sage Equator Taper 6 weight fly line or Teeny Bruce Chard Bonefish line in 6 weight

The Detail

• 250 yds 30 lb Micronite backing, attached to the spool with an arbor knot
• Double bimini twist in the fly line end of the backing
• Fly line attached with a loop-to-loop connection, with the loop in the back end of the fly line created by doubling over the fly line, whipping a loop with fly tying thread, and sealing it with AquaSeal
• Tapered knotless leader 8 – 14 feet long, tapered to 10 to 17 lb depending on conditions, tied directly to the fly line with an Albright knot, treated with Zap-A-Gap and AquaSeal (more on this below)
• Large bonefish fly in similar color to the flat, tied on with a non-slip mono loop

The Commentary

“I love the Sage TCR 6 weight for a few reasons. It is light in hand and therefore easy to hang in your hand for long periods while scanning the flats. Even though it is a 6 weight, the bottom of the rod has incredible lifting power and can really put the hurt on a big bone when he is headed into the mangroves. Finally, nothing gets me going like a big bone tailing in mega-skinny water and I feel that I can make a much more delicate presentation with a 6 weight line.”

“The Sage 3400D reel has never failed me and has proven to be corrosion-free even after residing at the beach in Andros for 5 years….enough said.”

“I tie on 250 yds of Cortland Micronite backing to the spool with a double arbor knot. I like the Micronite because it is a happy middle road between Dacron and gel-spun. On the business end I whip on a double bimini that will then be looped to the fly line.”

“I have two choices for flylines. When conditions are calm and I plan on making long casts and delicate presentations I go to the 6 weight Equator Taper by Sage.  If the wind is blowing or I am throwing heavier flies, I switch to the Teeney Bruce Chard Bonefish Line in a 6 weight. It has a shorter, more aggressive front taper and turns flies over better in the wind.  It’s manufactured to be one half line weight heavy, therefore loading the rod better when making shorter casts.”

“I knot my leader directly to the flyline with an Albright Knot and treat it with Zap-A-Gap and the Aquaseal to give me the confidence it will stay put. I like this set up because it is a smooth sleek connection and has never failed. When it is calm I go with a long 12 to 14 foot leader tapered to 12 or 10 pound test and when it is blowing I will cut back a 10 foot leader to 8 or 9 feet and about 17 pound test to improve turnover and accuracy. I like the knotless leaders because there is no way they are picking up any salad.  I curse enough when my hook picks up salad when I am in shallow and a tailer blows up because a piece of seaweed just started dancing!”

“At the end on the leader I am attaching my fly with a non-slip mono loop with a very small loop to allow freedom of movement without fouling.”

“My fly selection will vary but I will say that I am sure to be mindful of using the right amount of weight for the situation and I am not afraid to throw some big morsels to entice those bonefish. I am also sure to include in the fly colors that are present in the area I am fishing at that moment. The critters I am trying to imitate are certainly doing the same which makes it all important.”

“Finally – always rub some weeds or muck on your fly before you fish it to get all your nasty stink off it. You will be glad you did!”