BAD TO THE BONEFISH

BONE UP ON BAYS’ GREY GHOST FISHERY

Bonefish are prized targets for anglers in the shallow, warm waters around the Florida Keys and the Caribbean and their Pacific cousin has adapted to San Diego and Mission Bays and is thriving there. (BILL SCHAEFER)

WHILE NOT AS LARGE AS THE CARIBBEAN’S, SOCAL’S BONEFISH OFFER GREAT FIGHTS ON THE FLATS

By Capt. Bill Schaefer

Rumors of ghosts roaming the back of San Diego Bay have been told for years amongst the regular fishermen who frequent its shallow southern areas.

The bonefish, grey ghost of the flats, have been harvested there since the 1950s and 1960s. They were only caught in local commercial fishermen’s nets back then – ignored as a worthless fish for market due to its awful taste.

Over the last 15 or so years, my interaction with the scientists at Scripps Institute of Oceanography let me know that bonefish were adapting to our local waters. Scientists who studied the bay and collected specimens with micro-nets were coming up with a lot of the bonefish’s fry. They were indeed breeding successfully!

Fishermen through the 1970s would catch one or two a year and maybe a few more in the ’80s. But in the 1990s, guides like me and other regular bay anglers saw the numbers increase. Here in the 21st century, the bonefish catch rate is off the charts, as many locals are targeting them.

BONEFISH VARY IN SIZE – from about

1 pound up to 3 pounds. I haven’t heard of any giants, yet. The relatively colder water temperature may be the reason for slow growth.

These fish still fly through the water, though, pulling and screaming drag off light-tackle reels. There is usually no doubt when one is hooked. They hold up to the reputation of their Caribbean cousins.

Bonefish have been found in both Mission Bay and San Diego Bay, and, unbelievably, as far north as San Francisco, as noted in California Department of Fish and Wildlife commercial fishing surveys. They have been caught in bays and estuaries all up and down the West Coast, but not in the numbers San Diego Bay is seeing as of late.

The setup is simple for targeting bonefish, often incidentally caught while anglers fish nearshore waters for spotted bay bass. “Run your main line through a ¼- to 3/8-ounce egg sinker and tie it to a swivel,” author Bill Schaefer tips. “Tie a 2- to 3-foot leader to the other side with a small Mustad Power Point bait hook.” (BILL SCHAEFER)

The waters off San Diego appear to have just the right ecosystem for supporting bonefish. The water is warm enough and similar to their usual haunts. This seems to be a strain of fish that has adapted to the slightly cooler waters of Southern California.

NOW, HOW DO YOU catch bonefish? You can’t just go out and pole around the south bay and look for them like in the Florida Keys or the Caribbean. They are incidental catches; that is, most anglers catching them while fishing for spotted bay bass on the flats. Bonefish will eat the same artificial lures as bass, and at least you can have fun catching spotted bay bass while hoping for a bonus bone.

Bonefish feed on small crustaceans, usually in shallow water. Their dining pleasures include crabs, small shrimp and baitfish.

They have great eyesight and an even better sense of smell, and they are one of the fastest fish in the sea.

EUGENE, OR Maxxum Marine (541) 686-3572 1700 State Hwy 99 N lloyd@maxxummarine.com www.maxxummarine.com

In a saltwater fishery already teeming with diverse options for anglers, bonefish just add one more intriguing opportunity to enjoy a day on the Southland’s bays, led by San Diego and Mission.

(BILL SCHAEFER)

They usually travel in large schools or wolf packs and prowl the shallows of San Diego Bay. If you are drifting the south bay and catch one, be sure to repeat the drift and you might be rewarded with even more hookups.

Small 3- to 5-inch-long grubs and small swimbaits in the 3- to 4-inch range work well. Yamamoto, Reebs Lures and Big Hammer all make some great baits if you go this way. Spawning ghost shrimp, chartreuse/ gold back and silver/pearl are all colors bones seem to favor.

Jig heads will vary with the tide, but usually ¼ ounce is enough in the 12 feet of water or less that you will be fishing.

And how appropriate is the fact that the best bait for the grey ghosts of the San Diego back bay flats is ghost shrimp? Pumped along the shore before heading out, these guys should assure you of getting your first of several San Diego bonefish. Mussels, clams and blood worms have also worked well.

For your artificial as well as bait fishing needs use medium spinning tackle for the most fun. I use a Daiwa Tatula spinning setup with 6-pound Maxima Ultragreen. Make sure you adjust that drag right, as these fish will scream on the first run after the hookset.

For bait fishing, run your main line through a ¼- to 3/8-ounce egg sinker and tie it to a swivel. Tie a 2- to 3-foot leader to the other side with a small Mustad Power Point bait hook. Size will vary with your bait.

Drift your boat and bait with the tide or wind to cover ground. The more bottom you cover, the better the chances of catching a bonefish.

SAN DIEGO BAY IS a big place and I can narrow down your search a bit. First of all, I would stay south of the Coronado Bridge. Bonefish have been caught on the city side of the bridge, but the bulk has come from below it. The entire south bay is a giant flat of about 10 to 15 feet deep, so drifting your bait across any of the shallows here should score a fish or more for you.

Remember also that the tides affect these fish. When there is tidal movement, the entire food chain is stirred up and the fish bite better. So, check your tide calendars for a medium-sized exchange – say, 2- to 4-foot swings. This usually bodes well for bait fishing or artificial baits.

March through September is the best time to chase these fish, although they will eat year-round in Southern California. They are getting easier to target now as their population increases.

I hope you can catch one of these rare fish and get a picture. Make sure your hands are very wet when handling them. They have a protective slime and you can harm them by removing it. They are fragile as well, so act fast, click that pic and let them go so that this exciting fishery can continue to thrive again. CS