SaltwaterBonefish Dink

The Bonefish Dink is a small, simple, and effective pattern for bonefish. It's designed to mimic small crabs, shrimp, or baitfish, making it irresistible to bonefish in shallow, clear waters.

Season
Year Round
Difficulty
Intermediate
Target Species
Bonefish
Bonefish Dink - Image source: InTheRiffle
Image source: InTheRiffle

Overview

This minimalist bonefish fly features a thread or sparse synthetic body, bead chain eyes, and minimal tailing fibers (e.g., Krystal Flash or calf tail). It's a quick tie ideal for shallow, clear flats where subtlety counts. Use tan or pink tones and keep the profile slender to imitate small shrimp.

Pattern Characteristics

Intermediate Difficulty
Bonefish
Saltwater
Year Round
Imitates: Crabs, Shrimp, Baitfish

Materials

Hook: Tiemco 811S, size #4-#6
Thread: Tan UTC 210
Eyes: Black bead chain
Body: Tan craft fur
Tail: Tan craft fur
Ribbing: Fine gold wire
Shell: Solarez Bone Dry UV resin

Fishing Tips

Season

Year Round

Presentation

Cast ahead of cruising bonefish and retrieve with short, sharp strips.

When to Use

Effective throughout the year, especially when bonefish are feeding on small crustaceans.

Water Type

Best in clear, shallow saltwater flats.

Rigging Suggestions

Use a 9-foot leader with 12-15 lb test.

Visibility & Floatation

This fly sinks and is best fished just above the bottom. It's visibility is good in clear water due to its bright colors. The bead chain eyes provide weight and help the fly sink quickly to the feeding zone.