We’ve written a lot in the past about what we like to call the ‘ready position‘ when fishing for bonefish. Whether you’re stalking on foot, or poling from the boat, things can happen fast, and thus being ready at all times is critical.
Today, we give you one more super simple, yet helpful tip while in the ready position to help you present the fly as efficiently as possible when its go-time. Are you ready for it? Here it comes..
Hold the Bend of the Hook!
While waiting for their next shot, most anglers hold the fly in their non-casting hand in preparation of their next cast. Others like to hold the leader just above the fly while they scan. However, we suggest holding the fly by the bend of the hook instead, and here’s why.
- You know where the hook is at all times. When you know right where the sharp part of the hook is you don’t have to worry about it being hooked onto your pants pocket, wrapped around the fly line or leader, or sticking into your finger as you begin your cast. All things we’ve seen happen on a regular basis when holding the leader, and all things that result in blown shots.
- A clean drop. What’s the very first step of casting to a bonefish? Dropping the fly towards the water. Sounds simple enough, right? While dropping the fly is simple, we can’t tell you how many times we’ve seen the bend of the hook catch the leader on the drop while holding the leader above the fly. That subtle little tangle can cost a fish. On the other hand, when you toss the fly itself, you get less of a looping effect, leading to less room for error at that pivotal moment.
- No foul smells. Bonefish and many other saltwater species can be extremely sensitive to little smells. Keeping your fingers on the steel of the hook, rather than on the odor absorbing materials of the fly can help keep those unwanted smells from causing too much of an issue.
While I hold the rod with 3 fingers I hold the hook by the bend between the thumb and forefinger of the casting hand and have control of the line with the hauling hand. I do not lose contact with the line during the flight of the fly and am ready to strip as soon as the fly lands on the water.
That applies whether I’m casting right or left handed. Easy peasy. BM