Diy flyfishing

[nick(uk)]

Im sure its been asked before but we are coming over for the 1st time in May ( cant wait :) ) and wondered if there was anyone on this forum who would give any hands on info about DIY flyfishing,for bonefish or and other fly eating fish,such as Permit, Jacks etc..
We do intend to take out a guide for a few days, but cant afford one every day, at $400 , sorry all you guides out there, but us Brits arent all rich... :mad: i wish.
I am not a novice at the sport,but have no local knowledge of where exactly to go...
I done some research and have specifically chosen to stay in 2 places,
1st very near Casaurina point, and believe its good there for DIY, but where specifically, we have a car and boat there so..........
2nd in GTC, I have heard the fish are spooky and picky there on 'town flats', so thats a given, but any other specific advice would be very welcome..
Also, if you arent bored of this diatribe, we would like a recommendation for a good but resonably priced 'bluewater' guide, to try to fish for Dorado,tuna etc
Thank you in advance to anyone who indulges me..... *grovel*:p
Nick

[SamFamAustin]

If you haven't checked out Fishing in Abaco (http://www.drralph.net/FishininAbaco2005.html) (click link) you should really try that first.

I am certainly no local expert but the best results seem to be slow trolling in channels are certain cays, sometimes drift fishing and jigging off a boat. Having a boat is the key, so you can cover some ground and reach a few special spots - don't worry, people will tell you where they've been catching them the last few days ... there are no hard and fast rules and things change with the weather and the tide.

Just remember that some areas are underwater parks, and you're not supposed to anchor or fish inside the marker buoys. Some maps might even say there are dangerous areas where you really need a guide because of all the rocks and coral, which I would avoid as a newbie. Other areas might require you to "go outside" into the Atlantic, which might not be Kosher with the boat rental company, and can be dangerous if the wind gets up.

It's a fisherman's paradise, really, although sometimes the catches aren't all that impressive. You really want the smaller fish such as yellowtail snapper, small grouper, and triggerfish to eat, anyway, since big monsters can have ciguatera. Stop by a place that sells bait and tackle and they'll set you straight. Have fun! :)
sammie

[fish bum]

I like to DIY for huge bones and lots of other stuff like cudas, snapper and grouper in the multitude of flats that sit on the east side of mainland facing the Sea of Abaco. Specifically, there are lots of areas especially down south between Tilloo and Cherokee that offer untouched water if you are willing to wade into the unknown. We stay on Lubber's so we can offshore on good days and inshore at will. You can also catch lots of variety while hitting any of the lee sides of most inshore islands and outer reefs like you mentioned (GTC), just have to be creative. Fish at low tide where water comes into the deep inshore areas, at high tide fish the opposite where fish get pushed into the backwater areas. My experience is that the bones I'm seeing are not that spooky, are large and ready to pounce on larger presentations. Make sure you are ready for the intermitent shark that you will cross as well, they are "fun" to hook and land on a fly. Lastly, I prefer 7-8 weight gear, you can have a lot more fun on the small side of gear when you are catching grunts and other small snapper. When you hook a large bone or cuda you get the added adrenaline of trying to land them or keep em out of the mangroves, takes a lot more skill IMO... Tips that make a difference: Bring 37# wire for Albright to mono leaders on toothy critters, good polarized glasses and tall wading boots as the bottom can be mucky in places. Check out Google Earth to scout areas in advance from the sky. Good luck, post me if you want more specifics.

[CR]

nick,

Casuarina would be the best choice for fishing on your own.
If you have access to a boat your options are unlimited in the Casuarina / Cherokee Sound area:

You can wade or use the boat for Bones, Permit, small Tarpon, Cudas, small Sharks, and lots of various Snappers on fly or light spinning tackle.

You can also fish the reef with hand lines, rods, or spears for all the treasures found there.

If it is a nice day you can easily go outside for Dolphin, Wahoo, Tuna, Sailfish, and Marlin. (outside the reef is very close in - you can still see the beach)

Cherokee has plenty of skilled fishing guides for any type of fishing you want for your day with a guide, they will also advise you for your days on your own.
You can wait until you reach to book a guide.

Hope this helps - let me know if you need any further info on the Casuarina / Cherokee area, or contacts for local guides.

Regards,
R.

[nick(uk)]

Thanks to you all for your advice, i looked into ciguatera. Not good ! I guess there is no way of telling if the fish you have caught is contaminated? I have heard about it before, but thought it was maily in Cuda's ?
I am almost 100 % a flyfisherman, and return a gently as possible all fish caught, but the reason for asking about bluewater is to catch some Dorado or similar for the table ;)
Take care and thanks again for taking the time to reply.

[PELLUCID]

There are test kits available for ciguatera, but given the cost it's just easier (in my opinion) to toss back anything questionable and catch something better.

Ciguatera is rare in barracudas less than 3 feet long, but increases rapidly as they pass that size. Other species I would avoid are jacks (they aren't very tasty anyway) and really large groupers.

You won't get ciguatera from dorado, tuna, wahoo, etc. They are pelagic and fast-growing, so they seldom eat ciguateric prey and they grow too rapidly to accumulate high levels of toxin.

The toxin is metabolized rather slowly, thus has a cumulative effect. If you eat fish with low levels of the toxin on a frequent basis, you may show symptoms after several months. If you're just visiting for a week or two, you'd have to eat a highly toxic fish to get poisoned. I've heard of visitors suffering it in the Abacos... but it's very rare... and always after eating one of the species I recommend avoiding.

[CR]

Nick,

Pellucid is correct - none of the offshore pelagic fish contain the toxin.

You are also safe with small Snappers, Grouper, Grunts, and Triggerfish.

Large Cudas, Jacks, Grouper, Hog Snapper, and Cubera Snappers living on the reefs are the ones to avoid.

Dorado, or Dolphin as we call them will be thick durring your visit, so getting a meal should be no problem.
If you have a 10 wt. or larger fly outfit you can easily take Dolphin on the fly.

When in May will you be visiting? If I am around I would be able to give you some direction in the Casuarina / Cherokee area.

Regards,

R.

[nick(uk)]

Thanks for the information, I have read about it since SamFamAustin mentioned it and have had my eyes opened its all so interesting. Thank you all for your detailed and valuable info, none of it is wasted (i hope ) and i hope 2010 is kind to you.
Nick

[Daddy - whats that fin?]

I'm from snowy Manchester but will be swapping for sunny Hopetown in 29 days!!!!

Last time (never fished before) I spent two weeks putting hooks back on lines. Every time I cast, a bloody great cuda would chomp through everything. It wasn't what they did just the way they did it. They took the bait and seemed to look straight up at me. They then just turned over and took everything hook, line, bait - the lot. Got the feeling that they were playing with me.

This year I am bringing heat seeker missiles and a flame thrower. No problem getting them past the dopes on security at Manchester airport. Be warned Mr Cuda your days are numbered!

[SusieAndAl]

I'm from snowy Manchester but will be swapping for sunny Hopetown in 29 days!!!!

Last time (never fished before) I spent two weeks putting hooks back on lines. Every time I cast, a bloody great cuda would chomp through everything. It wasn't what they did just the way they did it. They took the bait and seemed to look straight up at me. They then just turned over and took everything hook, line, bait - the lot. Got the feeling that they were playing with me.

This year I am bringing heat seeker missiles and a flame thrower. No problem getting them past the dopes on security at Manchester airport. Be warned Mr Cuda your days are numbered!

LOL! Whenever that happens to us we put on a homemade, dirt cheap stainless steel leader. You can buy the wire here for about US$4. Makes about 15 leaders (depending on length). All you need is a pair of needle nose pliers with a side cutter.

Have a great time and good fishing!

-- SusieAndAl

[nick(uk)]

I'm from snowy Manchester but will be swapping for sunny Hopetown in 29 days!!!!

Last time (never fished before) I spent two weeks putting hooks back on lines. Every time I cast, a bloody great cuda would chomp through everything. It wasn't what they did just the way they did it. They took the bait and seemed to look straight up at me. They then just turned over and took everything hook, line, bait - the lot. Got the feeling that they were playing with me.

This year I am bringing heat seeker missiles and a flame thrower. No problem getting them past the dopes on security at Manchester airport. Be warned Mr Cuda your days are numbered!

I just LMAO at your name, so cool..... unless its for real !!
You could just put on twelve inches of wire trace....not expensive, and ready made for easy use (no knots, as tying wire trace to fishing line can be tedious) here......
http://www.sportfish.co.uk/search?search_terms=wire+trace
Sportfish are good and you will get it in a day or so....you may also find other bits of tackle you may want, whatever have fun,and tight lines........

[Daddy - whats that fin?]

Susie

I am quiet happy with the results of our previous fishing exploits - god knows what I would do if I actually reeled one of those things in!

I am getting quite caveman (ish) now - with so little time to go I have promised our son that "one day Daddy will catch your dinner".

Just can't see it happening.

[nick(uk)]

Al, we must have been typing at the same time , lol....
My solution is more expensive but easier, and less trouble than Daddy whats thats fins way, as Manchester may be easy but Miami aint !!!

[Daddy - whats that fin?]

Nick its for real!

If you do get put and about go early (I know its a British habit!)

We went out to Pelican Cay at 7:30am on Fathers Day last year (about 3 hours before the yanks appeared). Snorkeled for about an hour and saw the usual suspects - turtles, eagle rays, fish fish and more fish. Then my son just piped up " Daddy whats that fin!" from our boat.

I flew out of the water, through the air and landed on deck in 2 seconds flat. The fin was curved not a triangle and it turned out to be flipper - we played for around half an hour - experience of a lifetime!

... and just a taste of what you are coming to !

[nick(uk)]

Nick its for real!

If you do get put and about go early (I know its a British habit!)

We went out to Pelican Cay at 7:30am on Fathers Day last year (about 3 hours before the yanks appeared). Snorkeled for about an hour and saw the usual suspects - turtles, eagle rays, fish fish and more fish. Then my son just piped up " Daddy whats that fin!" from our boat.

I flew out of the water, through the air and landed on deck in 2 seconds flat. The fin was curved not a triangle and it turned out to be flipper - we played for around half an hour - experience of a lifetime!

... and just a taste of what you are coming to !

OMG sounds amazing... I was fishing in Cuba once and got chased by a 8ft saltwater croc !! Jesus can walk on water, I can run on it !!

[SamFamAustin]

The barracuda is one heck of a good fight, even though it is despised on the table ... although some of the natives love the smaller ones "soused."

Some prophylactics are necessary! :eek: At minimum you need fishing gloves and a de-hooker because some fish have spines or like the 'cuda have a mouthful of teeth. Use the gloves for the leader and holding the fish (do NOT wrap wire leader around your hand!)

And as Susie and Al says, you need some piano wire or stainless for a leader, should the 'cuda become a pest. It also helps to not use any lures that are silver and flashy, as barracuda are attracted by shiny stuff. Your best lures will be soft yellow, gold, green, red, and dark, but definitely not shiny. Yellow/gold/green is considered a very lucky color combo.

And it's OK to make "girlie sounds" if you catch a nice fish out there. :)