SaltwaterBonefish Special
The Bonefish Special is a go-to pattern when chasing bonefish on the flats. It's designed to mimic the small baitfish and crustaceans that bonefish feed on and it's weighted to sink quickly to the bottom.
Year Round
Intermediate
Bonefish
Apr 2025
Overview
The Bonefish Special is a classic flats pattern tied with a light tan or pink dubbed or synthetic body, sparse wing of Craft Fur or calf tail, and a few strands of flash. Bead chain eyes provide the right sink rate in shallow water, and the profile imitates small shrimp or baitfish. Simple, subtle, and effective—ideal for wary bonefish in clear conditions.
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 811s #04-08
Thread: Black UTC 140
Tail: Orange Blood Quill Marabou
Flash: Pearl Krystal Flash
Wing: White Calf Tail
Wing2: Grizzly Hackle
Body: Gold Tinsel
Body2: Medium Clear D-Rib
Glue: Loon Thick UV Fly Finish
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: Juvenile baitfish travel in nervous schools along structure while grass shrimp dart among coral and sea grass with quick, unpredictable movements, both vulnerable when isolated from cover.
Where Trout Eat It: Bonefish aggressively pursue these prey on open sand flats, mangrove edges, and drop-offs where victims are exposed.
How to Fish It: Vary retrieves from slow crawls to quick strips, imitating both panicked baitfish and fleeing shrimp depending on target depth.
Best Water: Target flat drop-offs, mangrove edges, channel swings, and coral structure where prey cross open areas between sanctuary.
Strike Type: Explosive takes as bonefish capitalize on isolated prey, often striking during pauses when the fly appears vulnerable.
Fishing Strategy
Rigging Suggestions: Rig on a 9-12 foot leader with 12-16 lb fluorocarbon tippet for abrasion resistance and stealth. Use a loop knot to allow maximum fly movement.
Seasonal Timing: Effective during peak feeding periods when water temperatures and conditions support active feeding behavior.
Pro Tips: The fly sinks quickly to the feeding zone and is easily visible against different bottom types thanks to its contrasting colors. The simple design has proven effective for decades on bonefish flats worldwide.
Entomology
Juvenile baitfish travel in small, nervous schools along mangrove edges and flat drop-offs, while grass shrimp dart among coral rubble and sea grass with quick, unpredictable movements. Bonefish aggressively pursue these prey items when they're isolated from cover, capitalizing on their vulnerability in open sand and the substantial energy return from each captured meal.
- Organism Type
- crustacean
- Life Stage
- general