Bonefish/Bonefishing

[Golfer]

Going down to Turks and Caicos and I need some tips/pointers.  I've spoken with a few people I know who have been there but they wern't really into fishing.  I have a fly fishing setup I ordered for the trip and we're planning to do some fishing while we're there and I'm also hoping to do my SCUBA certificate though if the dive outfits I spoke to really can't do an accelerated course that's going to be put on hold.

Looking for advice or recommendations on guides, techniques, tactics and places.  We'll be staying in Provo and have about 6 days.

[AquaShrimp]

While scuba diving in Florida, I watched a school of tiny baitfish get demolished by several bonefish in about 10 feet of water.  It was one of the neatest underwater events I've ever seen.

[Captfish]

Have fun it rock down there!!!

 

[Golfer]

Have fun it rock down there!!!

 

I got the basics of that...anything to add???  Looking to be steered in the right direction.  My copilot hasn't been there before either so we're going to shoot from the hip.

[gpwurzel]

Was in the Turks and Caicos a few years ago - beautiful place, great snorkelling (couldnt dive then), lovely clear water.

Fishing wise, I'd take a fly rod, make sure your reel has a good spool of floating line, and maybe one of sinking - wade out into the shallows early doors - keep an eye out for shadows, glints etc - and cast to them. Try not to get your leader splashing down over them, as they are very nervous (iirc), and once you've got one on (hard mouths, so hard to sink the hook home) hold on for grim death lol...

Flywise, I was using sweeney todds - which are basically long white haired, with a flash of read near the throat - looks like a bait fish when figure of 8'd back towards you.

*I'm not a very good fly fisherman - so the above may not work so well for you - but then, I dont really mind not catching in that kind of scenery*

Jealous I am, have a fantastic time, catch loads, watch the sun, keep an eye out for stingrays in the shallows (dont stand on em).

Wurzel

<S>

[Golfer]

Good info, thanks!  The guy I'm going with has some fly fishing experience and we found a decent fly fishing setup for me.  Being a cheapskate I ordered the same thing off the internet and it should come tomorrow 

Now I just need to practice casting because the last time I fly fished was under the watch of my grandfather when I was very young and I didn't really cast 

I've got my heart set on SCUBA but again if they can't do it in 3 days I'm not comfortable without extra time for decompression flying home.  Especially as a first time diver.  I have my flippers, mask and snorkel packed though already though!

[gpwurzel]

Cool beans Golfer - have fun fella, thats what its all about. Dont dive the day before you fly back - even if you dont have to make decompression stops.

Pics on completion if you dont mind...lol....


Wurzel

[Golfer]

I want to leave at least 2 days between diving and flying home just because it's a new thing for my body.  I could do without the bends.  Thanks for the tips and I'll definately be taking a camera 

[AquaShrimp]

3 days really isn't enough time.  I'd shoot for snorkeling.  But let me warn you about snorkeling.  Something called 'shallow water blackout' can occur.  Strangely, it happens when you are surfacing after being underwater.  You simply pass out a few feet from the surface.  If you don't have a snorkeling buddy there to hold your head out of the water, you drown. 

[AquaShrimp]

Rule of thumb is 24 hours between the last dive and flying.  Breathing pure oxygen will help the body off-gas nitrogen at a faster rate (on the surface, breathing pure O2 underwater can cause seizures).

[Golfer]

Thanks for the tips.

[Gunthr]

I like fishing the flats... just recently started doing it from a kayak with a light rod and reel.  Never caught bones yet, but saw them tailing before.  I had great success on Redfish in the flats casting Berkley GULP rubber shads.  I think its the liquid they are packed in... but wow, do they produce. even when they are chewed up down to a small piece, they still hit it.  the bigger reds will actually tow you!  great fun.  I'd take a pack of GULP saltwater baits just for the heck of it.

[Bodhi]

Golfer...

just saw this... have a good time, it is a beautiful place.  As for the fishing, just remember to keep low, and avoid shadowing the fish.  They can see a shadow above water a long ways out.  You aren't going to learn a whole lot about fly fishing here, but I remember my Dad's teachings that I still use today.  10 12, 10 12.  Those should be your rotations on the rod....

As for being certified in diving in three days, be real careful.  Look, you need to learn this stuff.  It WILL save your life at some time.  If you are great at retention, then do it, if not, then hold off.  You have a lot of life to enjoy it and learn over a time period and truly grasp the nuances, rules, and absolute NO's!  I have been diving close to 15 years, and there is rarely a dive that I do not see somebody do something stupid. 

All said, have an awesome trip, the Turks and Caicos truly ROCK!

[gpwurzel]

As Bodhi said, 10 - 12 (I used to use 2 instead). Use your elbow, keep your rod butt glued to your wrist to stop that flexing (is the proper way to do it). Personally, I could never get used to it, and had to double haul (ie, pull line in when the rod was compressed behind me) to get any distance....

Definitely think carefully about the diving mate, it took me a while to get the basics done - but imo, its better to take your time rather than rush in and possibly put yourself at risk - you will see loads just snorkelling.


Have fun,

<S>

Wurzel

[VonMessa]

Pick up a copy of "A Salty Piece of Land" written by.......Jimmy Buffett

Good read for a trip, and 85% of the book centers around a character who is a bone-fishing guide.  Great read.  Classic Jimmy Buffett storytelling stuff.   Not sure if you'll pick up any more tips than the folks on here haven't already told ya, but it'll get you psyched up for the trip, i bet.