In search of the Silver Ghost
5/25/2004 3:32:44 PM by Bob T. Epstein
What brings presidents, kings and general fishing enthusiasts from around
the world to the Florida Keys and Biscayne Bay? Bonefishing! "Quiet,"
said Richard Stanczyk, owner of Bud N' Mary's Marina in Islamorada.
"Cast your side arm so the bait doesn't splash too hard; lead the fish
carefully, we're getting into range."
Thus began a day in the Keys hunting for bonefish on the flats of the
Atlantic Ocean. "OK, do you see where the bone is going? Cast in front
of it, not too close, not too far away."
The cast is made, the bait makes little commotion as it lightly
splashes and sinks. There is a flashing rush from the bonefish as it
grabbed the shrimp and takes off like a fighter-jet.
Asolid no-nonsense run was the full response when the fish took the
hook -with reel drag humming to the non-stop beat of a streaking
bonefish. The line commenced to melt from the reel spool as the wake
made by the silver torpedo headed for anywhere but where the angler and
guide stood. The rod was held high to keep the line away from bottom
obstructions in the form of anything that could pop that slender thread
between it and this speedster of the flats. Stanczyk was right,
according to several guides such Joe Gonzalez of Miami who fishes both
the Keys and Biscayne Bay for bonefish. "There is no feeling quite like
that first run of a bonefish."
Flats boats with poles and platforms, light clothes, good sunscreen and
Polaroid-lens sunglasses that can slice any glare -- these are the
tools of most bonefishermen and the guides that bring their anglers to
fish for them. The bonefish's mouth protrudes a bit like a fresh-water
river sucker. However, unlike the sucker, this is a fish that truly
rates sweaty palms and serious consideration as one of the world's most
fantastic gamefish. Why? Because the bonefish strikes and powers off at
a velocity far beyond its looks or size. The excitement generated by
these fish has caused presidents and other anglers to feel that they
have met the ultimate gamefish of the saltwater flats. "The stalk, the
view of the quarry and the ultimate conquest is what makes this fishing
experience so special," said guide George Woods, who has fished out of
Bud N' Mary's Marina for the past 35 years. Vic Gaspeny, an Islamorada
guide and holder of the International Game Fish Association World
Record for bonefish on the fly (14 pounds, six ounces on 12pound test
tippet leader), says the bonefish is his No. 1 quarry, as it is so
dynamic a fighter it causes the best inshore adrenalin rush for him and
his fishing clients.
Former Coast Guard commanding officer at Islamorada, James M. Henson or
"Red" as his friends call him, made that perfect cast for a bonefish.
He had already heard all the stories of their famous speed-demon runs
and dragburning bursts. His chance came near Indian Key when Red and
Ken Knudssen, who guides anglers in Islamorada from his boat Hubba
Hubba, watched its telltale short rush and saw the splash of a bonefish
on the take. The fish put distance between them very fast. Henson was
initiated into the wonderful world of bone fishing. The power and
lightening fast run of the 10-pound fish offered a thrilling challenge
for the angler. "Keeper memories" were made all the way around.
Although Knudssen had seen it hundreds of times before, it did not
diminish his excitement this time either. Most bonefish in Keys waters,
Biscayne Bay or in the Bahamas are caught by casting a live shrimp on a
spinning-rod outfit loaded with eight- to 10-pound monofilament line.
Bones are also caught on small jigs and flies that resemble small
shrimp and other crustaceans.
Aguide is often necessary, especially for neophyte anglers coming to
the Keys. The correct tides always need to be considered and a guide
knows the best times and tides to hunt for bones. Aspecial boat called
a flats' skiff is the best way to go for them, but they can be stalked
and caught by wading and casting to them as well. Anyone who has
experienced the thrill of fishing for bonefish surely dreams of the
next time they will get a chance to tangle with the Silver Ghost of the
flats.
Bob T. Epstein can be contacted at BobEpstein@aol.com.