Photos by @lbackerphotography
Ryan Collins
The bonefish and tarpon here in Belize continue to be an extreme challenge for me.
Yesterday I was able to get a bonefish to strike my fly, but I missed the hook set. Today I got smashed by a tarpon, but missed that hook set too.
Nevertheless I am determined to catch a bonefish and/or a tarpon before this trip is through, and I am not about to give up anytime soon!
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Up until yesterday I had mostly ignored the barracuda (shown in the photo above) which I have seen cruising in the shallows. I have enjoyed watching them, but have not targeted them exclusively.
With the bones and poons being so challenging, I decided it was time to catch a cuda or two, so yesterday afternoon I waded out onto the flats and began casting around.
A small green metal lure is all it took to get the barracuda going. Most would just chase the metal lure into shore, but finally I hooked up with the first barracuda of my life.
With no wire leader I was very lucky to have successfully gotten this fish to shore, without the "cuda" biting through my line. Just look at these teeth!
Next to start biting were the needlefish, which are notoriously difficult to hook. Needlefish don't offer much sport and don't fight all that well, but they are extremely colorful and beautiful animals.
I have also been fishing the mangroves for tarpon, and have seen saltwater crocodiles every single day. This morning at sunrise, I may have witnessed a crocodile attack and consume a large bird, but I'm not 100% sure.
Lauren and I have also been exploring San Pedro, which is the main city here on Ambergris Caye.
Last night we spent a moment watching the "Chicken Drop" which happens in San Pedro every Thursday night. The bird is dropped onto a large bingo-type board, and people place bets on which square the chicken will poop on.
We also took a snorkel along the coral reef, and spent some time swimming with nurse sharks and rays.
Tropical fish seemed to strike poses for my GoPro Hero 4 camera, as if they actually wanted their picture taken!
And then from beneath a rock emerged an enormous moral eel.
Currently I am sitting in the shade on the beach creating this very post. As luck would have it, a school of about 12 good-sized bonefish just swam by in about one foot of water.
Immediately I grabbed the closest rod to me, which is the small spinning setup I have been using to catch barracuda. I tossed the metal lure at the bonefish and several turned and took brief pursuit, only to shy away at the last instant.
Man are these bonefish challenging!
Regardless I am going to keep at it. Conditions today are pretty good for bonefish over the flats. I will have the fly rod with me this afternoon, and maybe if I am lucky, today will be the day I finally land my first bone.
Tight lines!
Bonefish are a tough fish to catch. Realistic looking small lures are best, and a shrimp imitation of some sort would be great. Long 4-6ft leaders of 10lb test flouro are common from what I experienced in the Florida Keys two years ago. Bonefish are scrounging the bottom most of the time, so lures/jigs brought in right along the bottom will work best. Finesse fishing is the name of the game, which fly fishing excels in, and I have minimal experience with haha. Enjoy, and good luck!
Thank you for the tips Hayden! Much appreciated.
I’m happy to say the bonefish are starting to cooperate a bit more 😉
I will work on a new update for tomorrow/Monday.
Beautiful water and area. Fish like you did when you were a kid. Around the clock.
Very similar to chasing stripers over the flats at Barnstable at low tide.
Enjoyed the post and pictures. Looks like you guys are enjoying your surroundings. Have fun!
Ron
It’s been a great trip Ron, and thank you again for the autographed book from Charley Soares. Awesome!
Make sure to throughly clean any fly and or lure used to catch barracuda. My guide in Grand Cayman refused to let me throw to cuda because their oils and scent are left on the hook. The bonefish can actually sense it!
Wow, now that is interesting!
Thank you very much for the tip.