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Did You Know: Bonefish?
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
...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.
Posted by: Bob | June 13, 2008 at 09:08 AM
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!
Posted by: Alex Pernice the fly rod winner | June 13, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Sorry, the first brown I catch I hope.
Posted by: Alex Pernice the fly rod winner | June 13, 2008 at 09:37 AM
I actually caught an 8lb Bonefish yesterday...
Posted by: Kristen Mustad | June 13, 2008 at 01:20 PM
And while you were frying in the Bahamas, I was cooling down, catching big bluegills in the Appalachians. 75 day high, 50 night low.
Posted by: Evan V | June 13, 2008 at 01:34 PM
kristen,
you liar... where?
Posted by: tim romano | June 13, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Evan, nice job stealing my exact words...JK
Posted by: Alex Pernice the fly rod winner | June 13, 2008 at 04:02 PM
I did get a 6-pounder today. Kristen, had to re-test the reel, on animals.
Posted by: KD | June 13, 2008 at 11:12 PM
this day last year i caught my first 2 bones a 5 1/2 and a 9 on the ocean flats of the keys
Posted by: Michael Pepi | June 20, 2008 at 09:08 PM