SALTWATER TIPS AND TRICKS

JOHN GODDARD ADVISES ON TECHNIQUES AND SPECIAL TACTICS TO INCREASE SUCCESS WITH TROPICAL SALTWATER SPECIES

Saltwater fly fishing is now becoming increasingly popular particularly for such species as bonefish, tarpon, permit, barracuda and even sharks, and as most of these species are only to be found in tropical waters, one has the added bonus of fishing in some super locations often with a background of brilliantly white sandy beaches lined with graceful palm trees gently waving in light breezes against the bluest of blue skies. Of course, one does not always have idyllic conditions such as this, as even in the tropics it is not uncommon to have some days with quite strong winds or even the odd cold front with a lot of cloud.

Fly fishing in the salt is very different to fishing for trout or salmon in fresh water as most of the time you are being poled by a guide in a flat-bottomed boat or wading across very shallow sand flats in very clear water, often less than twelve inches in depth, where such species as bonefish, barracuda and sharks are to be found, or along the edges of the flats looking for permit or tarpon in the deeper channels surrounding them. This is a very visual and exciting form of fishing as you only cast when you spot a fish.

Now, first of all let me advise you that you do not need a huge selection of flies for saltwater fishing as in most cases the techniques are far more important than fly selection. I have been saltwater fly fishing for nearly 30 years now, and during the past 15 years or so have hosted groups to most of the known venues throughout the world. During this period I have found out that most trout fishermen, particularly those that are competent at spotting and stalking trout in clear water quickly adapt to saltwater and, within a couple of days or so, are able to locate fish both on the flats and in the deeper channels. This ability to spot fish in the salt is of prime importance. However, unless you are aware of the different techniques required for each species this ability will be of little avail. So if you wish to become competent at this relatively new and exciting branch of our sport the following information on the particular techniques required for each species should prove helpful.

BONEFISH
Without doubt, these are the most popular of all the saltwater species sought by fly fishers and, although they will take a fly readily if correctly presented, accurate casting is essential.

Casting: Bonefish tend to feed uptide, and as this is often different to the wind direction or position of the sun required for maximum visibility you must learn to present the fly in the desired position irrespective of the wind sirection. These fish are very spooky when feeding on the flats, particularly if the water is very shallow, therefore NEVER use an overhead cast. Always use a side cast keeping the rod and fly line low, almost parallel to the water.

Presentation: Bonefish are bottom feeders, therefore NEVER start your retrieve until the fly has sunk to the bottom. On the flats they are to be found in shoals of anything from several dozen up to a hundred or even more, and usually the larger the shoal the smaller the fish. Really large bones are usually found on their own or in small pods of three or four. Normally one tries to anticipate the direction in which the fish are moving and then present the fly several yards in front of the lead fish, starting the retrieve when it is within a few feet. When feeding, bonefish constantly change direction, and it often proves to be most frustrating when they turn away from your fly after making a perfect presentation. NEVER cast your fly beyond a fish so that the fly is approaching him when you start your retrieve: 'bones', or any other species expect to see their prey fleeing, not attacking them.

The retrieve: This provides more arguments than any other aspect of bonefishing, every other guide you fish with will give you different advice. Many years ago, when I first met my good American friend Lefty Kreh, the doyen of saltwater fly fishermen, he advised me to use a very long and slow retrieve and since then I have never had cause to do otherwise. Bonefish, unlike trout, which will take a fly from any angle, always follow the fly directly towards you, so when they pick it up there is but little indication of the take, merely a very slight tightening of the line. It is therefore very important to keep in touch with your fly throughout the retrieve, so always hold your rod pointing directy towards your fly, and I strongly advise you to place the tip in the water. If you hold it above the surface with a loop of line hanging down you will seldom feel any takes. Sometimes, when visibility is good you can actually see the fish take your fly as his head goes down and his tail comes up, but this is very much the exception to the rule.

Striking: NEVER strike a bonefish like a trout by lifting your rod, always strike by pulling on the hand holding the fly line. To start with you will probably find it difficult to do this, but do persevere, as I promise you the end result will be more fish hooked. If you strike with the rod and miss the fish is spooked, but by striking with the hand if you miss the fly will still be in the water in front of the fish with every chance he will take again.

Tailing bonefish: At certain states of the tide bonefish can often be seen tailing. When this happens although one can fish from the boat I much prefer wading the flat, as a much quieter approach is possible and, to me, this is the creme de la creme of bonefishing. This phenomenon only occurs in shallow water when the fish buries its head in the sand searching for their prey and its tail appears above the surface waving at you. With tailing fish that are not moving it is essential to cast your fly as close as possible - within a yard is ideal - so that when his head emerges from the sand the first thing he will see is your fly or the little puff of sand as you start the retrieve. Remember though, only cast when his tail is above the surface otherwise you will spook him immediately by casting this close.

TARPON
Most bonefishermen eventually succumb to the lure of a huge tarpon and the prospect of them jumping all over the ocean at the other end of the fly line. While the fight with a big tarpon, many of which exceed 100lb is incredibly exciting, to actually boat one may take in excess of two hours and is physically very demanding. These fish have very hard bony mouths, and it is therefore very difficult to set the hook. Consequently, as at least initially they often spend as much time in the air as in the water at least one in four that accepts your fly will throw the hook after several jumps. Today, I seldom seek them out as compared to most other saltwater species there is little challenge in actually hooking them, as even big tarpon often readily accept a fly if it is presented correctly.

Casting: Like most other species of saltwater fish tarpon can be spooked by the rod or fly line cast overhead, so one should always cast sideways.

Presentation: Seldom to be seen on the flats, they are usually found in deeper water, so either an unweighted or weighted tarpon fly should be presented to them at whatever depth they are running. The fly should be cast a yard or two in front and then retrieved. The retrieve: This should be as long as possible from slow to medium pace and it is most important not to stop the fly so that it starts to sink during the retrieve, as this often spooks them.

Striking: As for bonefish and most other saltwater species strike with the hand holding the fly line. The drag or brake on your reel should always be set to absolute maximum for tarpon, otherwise you will seldom, if ever, successfully set the hook.

PERMIT
This species is the ultimate challenge for the saltwater fly fisher as they are extremely difficult to tempt with a fly. To date, I have boated ten up to 25lb, although they grow much bigger. Eight of these were caught with great difficulty on various saltwater patterns, none of which in those days were very effective. Today, your chances of catching one of these splendid fish are greatly enhanced, as about eight years ago a new pattern and method was perfected. Imitation crab flies (there are now many different patterns available) have revolutionised the sport, and the method of fishing them is simple although not always effective. Once you have located a feeding permit the weighted Crab fly should be cast as close as possible to the fish without spooking it. You then let the fly sink to the bottom and let it rest there. If you are lucky and the fish has seen it diving to cover on the bottom he will turn and suck it in. If visibility is good, you can see this so know when to strike. Otherwise, providing you keep a tight line between rod tip and fly, you should feel the slight tightening of the line as he inhales it. Watch the permit as the fly sinks, and if he has shown no indication of having seen it retrieve and cast again.

SHARKS
On many occasions I have observed sharks well in excess of 100lb cruising the flats in water so shallow their backs appear to be above the surface. The most common species to be found on bonefish flats are sand sharks, lemon sharks and black tip sharks. Most of these will be between 20 and 60 pounds and can prove to be a tough proposition on a fly in such shallow water. They can provide some fun entertainment during a lull in the bonefishing and are not too difficult to hook with the correct presentation. There are many shark fly patterns to try, or a large Lefty's Deceiver will often prove effective. Sharks have very poor eyesight, so to achieve a successful hook up the fly has to be retrieved literally within a few inches of his mouth. The only way this can be achieved is to cast to sharks that are swimming directly towards the boat, and then position the fly as close as possible to his snout, or better still as close to either eye.

Apart from the main species mentioned there are many other species to be taken in saltwater on a fly. For instance, I have over the years taken over 50 different species by fishing along the edges of reefs or in deep-water channels using a fast-sink line and large Clouser Minnows, which are generally accepted as one of the most effectlve saltwater flies ever invented. Finally, if you want some real fun fishing find a deep channel and fish a large popping fly. You will be amazed at the variety of fish that can be taken by this method. I have had big trevally, channel and bar jacks, lemon and black-tip sharks, barracuda, redfish, snappers, ladyfish and even sea trout.

Article taken from the April 2001 issue of Fly Fishing & Fly Tying

A flat calm at dawn, searching for tailing bonefish.