Ask nine out of ten saltwater anglers their favorite thing about bonefish (or other flats species for that matter) and odds are you’ll get a response somehow related to the parallel between fishing and hunting.
Stalking your quarry, only ever making a cast once you (or your guide of course) has spotted a fish, is arguably the most alluring aspect of the flats. Furthermore, for many anglers the opportunity to chase fish on foot only heightens the experience.
Wading for bonefish is one of our favorite ways to target fish in our neck of the woods. However, to the uninitiated, spotting fish on foot can be more difficult than from the elevated platform of a skiff. That said, there are a number of ways to help hone in on more fish from out of the boat (heck, we’ve written a whole bunch of posts about it already). However, today we present you with a tip we haven’t shared in the past, one that many anglers overlook while scanning the flats..
Listen While You Walk!
There’s not a lot of boat traffic on South Andros. There’s hardly any air traffic above either. In other words, on a calm day, things are quiet.. Really quiet. Bonefish pushing through skinny water can be loud.. See what we’re getting at?
Weather and tides permitting, we’re lucky to be able to target bonefish in some really skinny water, sometimes only inches deep. Despite their elusive reputation, bonefish can create quite a ruckus in shallow water, especially while feeding (tailing). Thus, the sound of splashing water can give away a bonefish’s position in even the toughest light conditions.
So, the next time your stalking the flats, listen up! You might be surprised at what you hear.
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