Investments

Windy Weather Bones

Author: By Doug Kelly
Play doesn't stop in the Masters, World Series or Wimbledon when the wind whistles, nor would it stop if NBA or NHL games were staged outdoors. Similarly, until recent years, gloomy skies and 20-knot winds kept most bonefish skiffs tied to the dock while anglers sat around pining for a "nice" day.

Bank Of America Investment Even bonefish tournaments commonly canceled or postponed fishing due to gusty winds. "It would take blind luck to catch bonefish in these conditions - it's a waste of time," a tournament organizer might grumble, and heads would nod in agreement. After all, not many anglers savor the notion of paying an entry fee and hiring a guide just to stake out all day on a flat and blind fish - a most boring and uninspiring tactic.

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Investment Opportunity Fortunately, for some shrewd anglers, that fallacious philosophy eventually blew out the window, perhaps when some unconventional fellow decided to venture onto the flats on a wind-swept day while his buddies sipped coffee and scoffed at his sanity. And chances are that that brave angler was a bored, off-duty guide who, on a whim, decided to check out a few flats known for their bonefish abundance during calm conditions.

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Banc Of America Investment Back at the dock by happy hour, the man undoubtedly wiped the grins off those skeptical faces with an account of his day: half a dozen bonefish releases on spin tackle. You can bet that early the next morning, his comrades launched their skiffs and cared not about the salt spray from the choppy water as they sloshed to the flats. They, too, soon learned for themselves that his tale was fact and not fantasy. And so began a totally new attitude and adaptation of techniques about fishing for bonefish on windy days - even with fly gear.

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Banking Investment That scenario undoubtedly played out in the Florida Keys, a 110-mile island chain southwest of Miami renowned as a bonefishing haven. The Keys often become buffeted this time of year with northerly gusts or stiff breezes from its Atlantic or Gulf sides - the perfect proving grounds to chat with flats guides who've honed windy-weather bonefishing skills.

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Investment Solution Strategic Even so, the techniques Keys experts employ to handle the wind should be applicable to most other bonefish hot spots too.

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Bank Investment Windy Advantages

Alternative Investment Prevailing wisdom used to say that strong winds churned the flats and kicked up sediment, making it difficult for bonefish to breathe or locate prey. Bonefish, it was believed, avoided shallow areas and flats during such times and made for deeper water. But those notions fell apart as numerous anglers began to catch bonefish even when their clothes flapped in the wind like flags and flats appeared to be in complete turmoil. Indeed, many bones may actually be attracted to the flats when it's blustery.

Online Investment Services "It's harder for crabs, shrimp and small crustaceans to stay hidden when sediment's constantly kicked up, especially since bonefish have a great sense of smell and can hone in on the slightest scent when feeding into the current," says Capt. Eddie Hill of Islamorada. Although one might assume that it wouldn't be safe for bonefish to venture into turbid water because a shark or barracuda might accidentally ambush them, Hill and other flats experts seldom see that happen.

Accompany Essential Investment In addition, the sloshing waves render bonefish much less spooky and more approachable than during clear, windless days. "Bonefish become more stupid than normal when it's windy," says Capt. Mike Hewlett of Marathon. "There's so much surface noise that they can't hear or feel a boat approaching or a bait hitting the water. And they eat better because strong winds often occur just before an approaching front."

Investment Company The wind and wave noises make it easier to cast a shrimp or fly closer to bonefish than normal. The slightest plop from even a perfectly placed cast might blow a bonefish onto the other side of the galaxy when it's dead calm. But you can practically throw rocks at bones when it's windy and, unless the stones land right on their heads, not spook them. The trick is getting the shrimp, crab or fly into a bonefish's detection zone, which becomes limited when its visibility and hearing is hampered.

Investment Management Solution The Wind and the Sun

Investment Management Services As winds and currents churn a flat, sediment continuously filters through the shallow water and attempts to resettle to the bottom. Although the flat may be siltier than normal, fresh mud kicked up by stingrays or feeding bonefish can be easily discerned using polarized sunglasses when the sun's shining.

Guide Investment Stock Muds created by stingrays appear to be either stationary clouds or long, straight trails. In contrast, bonefish muds pop up and dissipate and almost never occur in a straight line. In deeper areas such as the Keys' many oceanside flats, bonefish often follow stingrays as they move about because their wings sometimes kick up something to eat. However, at most Gulf-side flats around Islamorada, bonefish seldom follow stingrays; it's this type of local knowledge that's critical in choosing productive stingray muds.

Investment Manual Solution "In most areas I don't fish rays, but it's always worth looking behind them just in case," says Islamorada's Capt. Rick Miller. "I've even seen bonefish go into muds created by my push pole, so always keep an eye over your shoulder."

Investment Stock A fresh mud that remains well defined indicates a bonefish may be rooting a crab out of its hole. However, if the mud quickly fades and a new mud appears nearby, the bonefish is "puffing." Puffs seem to represent methodical "search digs" made in the hope of tripping over something to eat. "Puffs of mud seem to work in a 9 or 6 pattern," says Capt. Tad Burke of Tavernier. "If you're close to the puffs, quickly cast right into them because several bonefish may be in the school and one will likely find your offering.

Essential Investment Solution "Bones usually mud three to five times in a 9 or 6 sequence and then move on, so try to get your bait into the first series of puffs. If you're not in casting range, watch the area closely and see if another 9 or 6 pattern starts up," says Burke. Miller advises that bonefish movement is constant, with a puff here, a puff there, but mostly zigzag patterns across the current to help them pick up scent from crustaceans and invertebrates. Hewlett suggests not only to observe the mudding pattern but to watch ahead of it for moving objects: "Bonefish contrast with colors of grass and sand as they pass over them," he says, "and you can oftentimes make out their dark backs in the murkiness."

Citicorp Investment Services "Even so, just when it seems you've figured bonefish out, they do something completely different," says Burke.

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Fidelity Investment Services Overcoming Overcast

Investment Management The toughest condition of all occurs when it's both windy and cloudy, which offers no sunlight to spot muds. "Bonefish tail when it's windy, but it's tougher to see them because of the wave action," Miller says. "Tailing" refers to the appearance of the top of a bonefish's tail jutting above the surface as it feeds nose-down in the sediment or when swimming in water less than 8 to 10 inches deep.

Francisco Investment San When clouds hide the sun, many experts head for shallow flats to spot tailers or bonefish creating wakes as they move about. Although the leeward side of an island might be calmer and make for better sight-fishing conditions, Miller believes the windward portion often becomes the better bet. "It's more work maneuvering the boat and tougher to cast on the windier side, but bones will be less sensitive to the noise," he says. "Keep the boat moving very slowly even when poling downwind, because otherwise you'll just run over fish and blow them out."

Mellon Investment Services However, on an open flat, Hill locates the crown when it's windy and cloudy and poles the downwind or down-current side. "I work the higher portion of the flat because water filters faster on the calmer side and it's a bit cleaner, making it easier to spot fish," says Hill.

Finance Investment When swirling winds and lack of sunlight make it difficult to gauge the presence of bonefish, Hewlett keeps an eye out not only for rays but also the presence of sharks. "Usually bones will be there if the flat's active with rays and sharks, particularly bonnetheads," he says. "A dead, lifeless flat should tell you to find another flat."

Investment Manual Science Cormorants (underwater swimming birds) working a flat also provide a telltale sign of bonefish. "If you see cormorants on a flat, that means toadfish are present because that's their main diet," says Burke. "And toadfish eat the same things that bones do: shrimps, crabs and small crustaceans."

Investment Advisory Services Another tip-off giving away the presence of bonefish can occur when a pelican or cormorant flies just above the water's surface. Startled fish "blow up" when a bird flies directly over them. Also, if a flying bird "humps" - flies just over the water and then suddenly rises 10 to 20 feet before returning near the surface - it probably spotted something larger than baitfish and it flew higher to get a better look. Although the bird's humping activity or a blow-up may indicate the presence of a shark instead of a bonefish, it's wise to investigate anyway, particularly if fishing's a bit slow.

Advice Investment Casting Challenges

Guide Investment Not only does strong wind make precise casting a huge challenge, it's also difficult to see bones due to the rippled and turbid water. Fish are usually spotted only 10 to 30 feet from the boat, offering precious few moments of reaction time. It's therefore important to be ready to cast instantly: Keep the bail open and hold the line with your index finger, and listen intently to your guide when he spots a fish so you can quickly understand where to cast. This angler-guide coordination is critical and usually defines the element of success on a windy day, especially in tournaments.

Chase Investment Services "Point your rod at the bonefish and sweep it upwind to compensate for wind, then cast," says Hill. "If you don't see the fish, your guide will have you move the rod until it's pointed in the right direction and then say how far to cast."

Firm Investment Shifting winds play absolute havoc with casts. You may start a cast when the wind's blowing 15 knots, and by the time your bait's halfway to the target, a lull or gust renders your bait way off target. It sometimes makes for a maddening and frustrating day, but the smart angler takes his licks in stride and keeps on casting. As Wayne Gretzky once said: "I've missed every shot I've never tried."

Financial Investment Services Handling fast-moving current and stiff breezes simultaneously requires good casting decisions. "When current and wind move in the same direction, you have to guard against casting too far past the fish because the wind can put a big bow in the line and fish often run into it," says Miller. "If fish work into the current as they typically do and the wind's coming in the opposite direction, cast upwind so the bait lands up-current to allow the bait's scent to flow toward the bonefish."

Investment Securities As with hitting golf balls on a windy day, it's best to keep your shots low. Cast sidearm to keep the bait within a few feet of the water's surface. Attempting a high, over-the-head cast allows the wind to blow your bait around like a kite, usually resulting in a fluttering, pathetic effort.

Property Investment Services "The optimum cast involves throwing your bait past and in front of the fish, then dragging it back to have the bone intercept it," says Hewlett. "If a bonefish can see or smell the bait, it'll almost always eat it. Just tossing out a cast and hoping a bonefish finds it seldom works."

Calculator Investment Burke points out that when winds top 15 knots, it's difficult to keep your bait in the zone you want because strong winds belly the line and sweep your bait off target. "A good tactic to prevent line belly is to put your rod tip into the water so no line trails above the surface," he says. "And don't worry, you'll still feel the fish eat."

Northwestern Mutual Investment To increase scent, Hill twists off the tail of a shrimp and mashes the head, and with a crab he breaks off a back quarter of the shell away from the hook. "The cast doesn't have to be perfect - eight to 10 feet away will work - as long as the bonefish can smell it," he says.

Brokerage Investment Casting success depends greatly on boat maneuverability in windy conditions - an art unto itself. Guides do their best to position anglers so they can cast downwind, but often that's not possible. Bones may be quickly moving away from the boat and you have to just take a shot. And people standing in a skiff act like sails, compounding the difficult task of poling the boat from a platform in swirling winds. Consequently, it's important to be ready to make upwind and sidewind casts. Miller advises that it's a wise investment of time at the first flat you visit to make plenty of practice casts in all quadrants of the wind.

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Investment Putnam Baits and Rigs

Bank Investment Ohio Savings Most windy-weather experts favor 10-pound spin tackle with about 2 feet of double line and a 2/0 bait-saver hook. Add a split shot just above the hook eye to keep bait on the bottom where bonefish feed. Use a heavier split shot when wind's really ripping or even two if the water's also deep. "Just be sure you don't crimp the split shot too tightly or you'll cut into the line," warns Miller.

Advisor Investment A rod with a stiff tip is preferred because it provides better control than a whippy tip when casting a bait into or through brisk breezes. A stiffer fly rod than normal makes for tighter loops.

America Bank Bank Investment Bait rigging is pretty much the same as for calm weather: Thread the hook through the tail of a shrimp and either Texas-rig it so the tip rides in the meat or let the hook point protrude just outside the shell. For the small half-dollar-size crabs popular for bonefishing, the hook is placed near either corner of the shell, with the hook point coming out the top.

Club Investment As to which bait is more popular - shrimp or crab - opinions seem divided. Hewlett favors shrimp: "A crab acts like a Frisbee when it's windy; a shrimp is much easier to throw." Burke agrees, although he quotes the late bonefishing guru Capt. Dickie Moeller of Islamorada, who advised, "Never throw a shrimp to a tailing bonefish - always a crab."

Global Services Investment Hill prefers a crab. "You can't really cast a crab to bonefish when it's calm because it usually splats hard and scares fish. But that's seldom a problem when it's windy, and bonefish are used to eating more crabs than shrimp. Crabs are on their minds."

Investment Online Miller takes more of a middle ground: "Most fish in the backcountry eat crabs, but they'll turn on to a shrimp in a heartbeat if you put it on the table for them."

Cigna Retirement Investment Flies such as Clousers with large eyes need to be on the heavy side in order to sink quickly. Hewlett likes the Tasty Toad and small Merkin patterns. However, the biggest challenge when fly fishing in windy weather isn't getting a fly to the target; it's line management. Line flaps around the deck, tangles with shoes and legs, and in short order often appears as a hopeless tangle of spaghetti. Even so, an accomplished fly fisher who successfully keeps his line in check can usually do quite well, even in the most obnoxious conditions.

Investment Return No matter what you know about countering gusty conditions on the flats, more often than not you still end up on the losing end of the stick. On a morning so windy that I swear I saw whitecaps in my coffee cup, our guide offered a little encouragement as we left the dock. "Don't worry; I think the wind's going to lay down."

Investment Consulting Services Yeah, the wind laid down all right - it nearly laid down the trees! I made cast after cast after cast at mudding bones all day, to no avail. "This is about as much fun as pulling out nose hairs," I lamented. But just as I was getting fitted for goat horns near the end of our trip, persistence paid off: I made a low cast that bore through the wind like a Nicklaus one iron, splatting just left of a fresh puff.

Estate Investment Real Trust "Nice cast," said the guide. "Now pick it up once and then just leave it there." I did exactly that and also stuck my rod tip below the surface. A second later the line tightened, I wound briefly against the drag at the speed of light times a jillion, and the bonefish was on!

Chase Corp Investment Services In a few minutes of furious pumping and winding like an oil derrick, we tape-measured a healthy 29 1/4-incher, which probably weighed a shade over 11 pounds. With our new-found enthusiasm, we fished an additional hour and released two more in the 8-pound class. Three bonefish releases even on a nice, balmy day isn't half bad, but I felt right proud of myself for hanging in there when several other friends turned thumbs down to even giving it a try.

Banker Investment Don't be one of those who finks out and goes shopping on a day when the wind's blowing hard. Start off with some practice casts to get the hang of it, work smoothly with your guide, don't get frustrated, and you'll probably catch more bonefish than you ever have.

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