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Real predators
Bonefish are generally caught on flats in the Caribbean and elsewhere, i.e. shallow sandy-loam areas.
But on Los Roques, the options are varied, as bonefish have the particularity of hunting in schools of forage fish, especially small sardines. They behave like predators in the same way as jacks. Roques bonefish are therefore very thick and powerful, thanks to their pure protein content!
They can be found in many of the habitats and biotopes of this magnificent archipelago.
The flies most commonly used for this type of fishing are small clouser minnows and gummy flies, imitations of small fish in soft plastic.
Bonefish fishing on Gran Roque
Bonefish can be found everywhere, especially on the main island of Gran Roque, where all the posada accommodation and stores are located, and where the local population lives to support tourism, the island's main activity.
Bonefish feed mainly on the south side, where the marina is located on a large beach running the length of the island. Dense populations of forage fish attract predators such as trevally, tarpon and bonito, as well as bonefish, which specialize in hunting small fish called "sardinas".
So you can fish between the boats, where the bonefish come and go, especially when they leave or return with the tourists, heckling the small fish. The bonefish take advantage of this to come and snatch them up when they are stirred up by the waves. It's quite unique and an exceptional spectacle!
You can fish by sight from the pontoons, but bonefish, which swim at a certain depth, are often caught blind, unlike flatwater fishing.
The hardest part is getting the fish out, as they go into the mooring, and it's not uncommon to get hooks bent when bridling even on heavy line, or to get them broken, especially when the line rubs against ropes and buoy attachments.
It is, however, entertaining fishing on the days when you arrive or leave Roques while waiting to leave for the surrounding islands or with your guide. Very large bonefish are common, thanks to the abundant food.
Beach fishing
The other special feature of Los Roques is the search for bonefish on the beaches, because once again it's also on the beaches that you'll find the small forage fish, also known as "carnada" in Spanish.
If they are present, it's rare that there aren't pelicans constantly flying and diving into these schools of fish. Bonefish have adapted and developed a very special fishing technique. They dart between the pelicans' legs to retrieve small fish injured by the pelican's impact in the water, or those that fall from the pelican's beak itself!
So cast as close as possible to the pelican, then let your fly sink gently close to the bird, taking care that the pelican doesn't swallow your fly, mistaking it for a wounded fish!
The bite is straightforward and there's nothing to do. All you need to do is keep the tension up so the bonefish can bite properly on the first rush.
Unfortunately, it's not unusual to hook a pelican, as it's always windy on the archipelago. The few times this has happened to me, a local has kindly unhooked the fly, as I confess I wasn't very confident doing it myself!
Bonefish can also be seen moving back and forth between the open sea and the edge of the beach, pushing fish up against the shore or gobbling them up during their lightning acceleration. A very captivating form of fast interception fishing!
Fishing in the lagoons
Some islands have a lagoon, and some are connected to the sea. In this case, fish can circulate and come to feed.
In this biotope, crabs, shrimps and small forage fish are available for bonefish and jacks.
You have to take the tides into account, as predators use them to move in and out of the lagoons. Small forage fish also take refuge here, and bonefish are not far behind.
In the absence of small fish, bonefish also feed on small crabs and, above all, shrimps, which they find on the seabed and grass beds. The entrances to lagoons are often excellent spots to catch marauding bonefish on the tide.
Both types of fishing are therefore possible, with techniques alternating according to fish behaviour.
But of course also flats fishing
There are, of course, numerous flats around the islands or on large sandy-silt areas where the tide ebbs and flows. Some of the flats are as far as the eye can see, making for outstanding fishing! Bonefish densities are excellent.
In Los Roques, there are also so-called "pancake" flats, which are actually tiny islets in the open sea where fish rise with the tide to feed. It's quite unique and great fun to fish! Our guides can take you there at the right time of the tide.
On the flats, bonefish can once again hunt through schools of "carnada", literally rocketing forward in small groups, sometimes with a group of "blue runner" jacks.
But they also come in little water, whether on sandy-muddy or turtle grass bottoms, to find crabs and shrimps.
It's not unusual to find bonefish in very little water or tailing. It's always a highly technical and entertaining fishery, as you have to be precise and discreet to outwit them despite the wind.
