• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Deneki Outdoors Fishing Lodges

Alaska | The Bahamas | Chile

  • About Deneki Outdoors
  • Our Fishing Lodges
    • Alaska West
    • Andros South
    • Rapids Camp
    • Rio Salvaje
  • Deneki Blog
    • Alaska West
    • Andros South
    • Chile
    • Fish
    • Fishing Reports
    • Fly Tying
    • Gear
    • General
    • Guest Posts
    • News
    • Rapids Camp
    • Rio Salvaje
    • Tips
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs

Jan 08 2014

6 Tips for Bonefishing in Windy Conditions

Bonefishing in the Wind
Angler, wind. Photo: Kyle Shea

When fishing for bonefish, rarely can you expect a day entirely free of wind. In fact, most experienced flats anglers would agree that those completely calm days can be extremely challenging due to spooky fish. While a light wind can be your friend on the flats, there are times when it can be a little overwhelming.

Here are a few tips to increase your success when dealing with the dreaded “W” word.

  1. Fish a heavier fly. For the most part, the majority of the flats we fish are relatively shallow. Therefore, we typically throw large flies with little weight, usually tied with bead chain eyes. However, when the wind is howling, the wave disturbance on the surface tends to cause the fly to sink slower. It is important to get that fly to the bottom quickly where the fish will see it in order to get the take. Therefore, on a windy day try chucking a fly with lead eyes instead. The larger splash from the heavier fly is not as much an issue here as it is masked by the wind’s disturbance on the surface of the water.
  2. Shorten up your leader. Our bonefish on South Andros are hardly leader shy, and this is especially true on those blustery days. Some of our guides recommend a leader as short as 6 feet to aid in turning over the fly into the wind. In fact, one of our guides, Torrie Bevans, claims to have caught fish with nothing more than a few inches of leader off the end of the fly line. Sure, that’s a bit overkill, but the point is clear. If the wind is not allowing your fly to turn over, shorten the leader.
  3. Tie your own leader. Along with leader length, try building your own leader. Building your own leaders allows the option of using stiffer materials, such as Rio’s Alloy Hard Saltwater Mono, which turn over much better in high wind situations. While knotless tapered leaders work great in some situations, the process required to make them typically results in a more supple material. This is not always the best option when trying to punch those lead eyes into the wind.
  4. Up the rod/line size. While an 8 weight is by far the most popular rod for bonefish, don’t hesitate to pack along a 9 weight as well. The 9 weight is invaluable when the wind is howling. If the fly never makes it in front of the fish, it doesn’t matter how delicate your fly line lands on the water, so choose the stick that gets it there! Also, try over lining your rod. Try a 9 weight fly line on your 8 weight rod. The extra weight may help load the rod in those tough conditions.
  5. Pay attention to boat speed. We’ve written on this topic before, but it is worth repeating. When retrieving your fly, it is important to take note of how fast you (and the boat) are moving. The speed that the boat is drifting has a direct effect on how fast or slow you must strip the fly. On days of high wind, this is especially important as the boat will most likely be moving faster or slower than normal (depending on which direction you are going).
  6. Practice beforehand. Maximize your chances on your next trip by practicing beforehand. Practice throwing tight loops with limited false casts into the wind. However, don’t stop there. Remember, the wind doesn’t always blow straight at or behind us, so make sure to practice casting at every angle in relationship to the wind as well. Check out some of our past posts from a few that know a thing or two about casting into the wind.

More Bonefishing Tips

  • Let That Fish Run
  • Pivot Slower
  • Wading for Bonefish – 5 Tips

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. David says

    January 8, 2014 at 11:36 am

    I’ve tried practicing in the wind. Dang, I just get all PiZZed-off and quit. Knowing that you posted this I’m going to try to give it another try. I think I’ll up line two weights and give it a try. Great post David

  2. andrew says

    January 8, 2014 at 12:01 pm

    Thanks David. Get back out there and have fun!

  3. skäggolja stockholm says

    January 26, 2020 at 2:13 am

    I really liked this post i actually read your blog pretty often, and
    you’re always coming out with some great stuff. I contributed this on my blog, and
    my followers adored it. I really admire the great work
    🙂

Trackbacks

  1. January 10, 2013: TGIF Link Round-Up | Feather and Fin says:
    January 10, 2014 at 5:40 am

    […] 6 Tips for Bonefishing in Windy Conditions […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Plan Your Trip

Let our experts plan the fishing adventure of your dreams.
Contact Now

Search Topics

Subscribe to our newsletter

All Blog Posts

Recent Posts

  • Spey Clave: Two Hand Alaska Presented By Mossy’s Fly Shop
  • Learn the Art of the Cack-handed Spey Cast
  • Common Mistakes Fly Anglers Make When Targeting Alaska Sockeye Salmon-and How to Fix Them
  • Fly Tying: Sockeye Caviar
  • The Alaska Freshwater Fish-Tastic Final Four

All About Spey

All About Trout

All About Bonefishing

All About Gear

Best Posts

Footer

Deneki Outdoors

Mailing address:
200 W. 34th Ave.
#1170
Anchorage, AK 99503

Headquarters:
6160 Carl Brady Dr.
Anchorage, AK 99502

US Information and Reservations
800-344-3628

International Information and Reservations
+1 907-563-9788

Email: info@deneki.com

Our Lodges

Rapids Camp
King Salmon, Alaska

Alaska West
Kanektok River, Alaska

Andros South
South Andros Island, The Bahamas

Rio Salvaje
Puerto Montt, Chile

Deneki Outdoors thanks Peter Viau, Tosh Brown, Abe Blair, Kyle Shea and Kara Knight for the beautiful photography used on our sites.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

#denekioutdoors

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Copyright © 2025 · Deneki Outdoors · Privacy Policy · Site by 21 Designs

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we assume that you are okay with it.Ok