True or False Quiz on Bonefish:

1. When bonefish spawn, they lay no eggs and make no nests...
2. Bonefish offspring/juveniles have been located as far north as (or farther than) Long Island, New York...
3. There are actually 3 different species of bonefish in the Carribbean/Florida/Bahamas, and at least 8 species of bonefish in the Indo-Pacific region (Seycheles, Christmas Island, etc.)...
4. Scientists do not really know where juvenile bonefish live, but they do know that the larval stage of bonefish lasts 42-72 days...
5. Bonefish can live at least 20 years...
6. A bonefish's diet changes as it grows; under 16" fish primarily eat worms and clams; over 16" fish eat shrimp and crabs; over 24" fish eat other fish, like toadfish and gobies (choose your fly accordingly!)...
7. Bonefish diets also vary by region; in Los Roques (Venezuela), for example, they eat anchovies...
8. Bonefish have been around for 25 million years...
9. A 23" bonefish is probably around 6 years old...
10. Bonefish are related to mountain whitefish...
11. I caught an 8-pound bonefish on a Crazy Charlie today...
12. There are an estimated 10,000-15,000 serious bonefish flyfishers in the USA...

The answers: All TRUE (Except #10, and, regretfully, #11). But the fishing action is amazing here on Grand Bahama island, and we're doing some important research in association with The Orvis Company and Bonefish & Tarpon Unlimited. Check out BTU's site and join this very enlightened conservation organization. And think of me (send some psychic mojo my way) as you read this, because I'll likely be knee-deep on the flats casting at silver shadows when you do.

Deeter

Comments (9)

from Michael Pepi wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

this day last year i caught my first 2 bones a 5 1/2 and a 9 on the ocean flats of the keys

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from KD wrote 2 years 11 weeks ago

I did get a 6-pounder today. Kristen, had to re-test the reel, on animals.

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from Alex Pernice the fly rod winner wrote 2 years 12 weeks ago

Evan, nice job stealing my exact words...JK

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from tim romano wrote 2 years 12 weeks ago

kristen,you liar... where?

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from Evan V wrote 2 years 12 weeks ago

And while you were frying in the Bahamas, I was cooling down, catching big bluegills in the Appalachians. 75 day high, 50 night low.

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from Kristen Mustad wrote 2 years 12 weeks ago

I actually caught an 8lb Bonefish yesterday...

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from Alex Pernice the fly rod winner wrote 2 years 12 weeks ago

Sorry, the first brown I catch I hope.

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from Alex Pernice the fly rod winner wrote 2 years 12 weeks ago

While your baking in the Florida sun (i assume) I will be in the Smokie mouantians catching trout! The first brown i have ever catch i hope!

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from Bob wrote 2 years 12 weeks ago

...and while you're knee-deep on the flats casting at silver shadows, I'll be on the 25th floor of an office building in Philadelphia with my nose pressed up against the glass. That was cruel and unusual.

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