Bonefish Fishing, Australia

Fishing for bonefish in Australia is not a new idea but due to the popularity of the species in the American fly fishing scene, more and more guides are specialising in catching these elusive fish Bonefish is common name for a fish belonging to either of two species of the family Albulidae. The bonefish is silvery in colour, with a long, deeply forked tail and a single dorsal fin; it has a pointed head covered by a thick, transparent cartilage and a receding mouth filled with numerous small rounded teeth. The common bonefish is distinguished by two long trailing filaments, one extending from its dorsal fin and one from its anal fin. It is a bottom dweller of shallow, sandy areas where it feeds on crabs, shrimp, and worms. It is much prized as a game fish, despite the numerous tiny bones that limit its appeal as food.

Though it is not a highly esteemed food species, the bonefish is one of the most important game fishes in the world, Its weight and length may reach 10 kg and 104 cm respectively, though a more common size would be about a third of that. The bonefish has 15-19 dorsal soft rays running the length of the fish. Bonefish appear blue-greenish above, with bright silver scales on the sides and below. Dark streaks run in between the rows of scales, predominantly on the dorsal side. The body is long, thin, and cylindrical at the top with a bluntly conical snout. The bonefish has a unique adaptation for tolerating oxygen-poor water; it inhales air into a lung-like airbladder to supplement oxygen from the water. The bonefish prefers reefs, shallows, estuaries, bays, grass flats, and other brackish areas at a depth from 1 to 4m. It is found worldwide in subtropical warm seas.

In the Eastern Pacific, its range includes waters off California to Peru; the Western Atlantic range stretches from North Carolina to Florida, the Bahamas, the Gulf of Mexico, the Antilles and the rest of the Caribbean to Brazil but few people realise that fishing for bonefish in Australia is also very productive A pelagic fish, the bonefish nonetheless feeds on benthic creatures such as worms, crustaceans, and mollusks, rooting them out from the sandy bottom. Small rounded teeth, forming specialized dental plates, cover the bonefish's tongue and upper jaw, and similar grinders are also present in the throat, helping the fish to grind up its prey. Small to medium-size individuals often feed in schools. Sharks and barracuda often prey on bonefish, which may explain why the fish have evolved such a sleek body for a fast getaway. Once hooked the initial run from a bonefish is incredible, especially on light tackle and this is the very reason why they are so sought after on fly.

Bonefish spawning occurs year round in deep water where currents can easily disperse the developing eggs and larvae to other locations. The fish are generally less reproductively active during the hotter summer months so to find good numbers of bonefish you are far better off to chase them in autumn or winter.

Typically fishing for bonefish in Australia it is really worth your while to seek the assistance of a guide. These are a highly specialised species and local knowledge is absolutely essential to ensure successful results. I have seen good sized bonefish come from the waters and bays around Keswick island in the Cumberland group of islands south of the Whitsundays. Sometimes you pick up these impressive fish whilst fishing for whiting and flathead on the shallow flats using yabbies for bait however unless you know where to go you should probably consider yourself lucky if you snag one.

When fishing for bonefish in Australia remember that they are not really rated as a food fish so catch and release is encouraged for this species.