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Bonefish Fishing Information
source Wikipedia
The bonefishes are a family (Albulidae) of ray-finned fish that are popular as game fish in Florida, the Bahamas, and elsewhere. The family is small, with seven species in two genera.
Presently the bonefishes are in their own order: Albuliformes. The spiny eels (Notacanthidae) and halosaurs (Halosauridae) while previously classified in this order, are now, according to Fishbase given their own order: Notacanthiformes.
The bonefish's closest relatives are the tarpon and the ladyfish. Being the only one of the family it is not like the tarpon with the protruding lower jaw along with having its mouth under the snout rather than the end of it. The body of the bonefish is silver and slender with a bluish or greenish back. On the upper half there are dark streaks with cross bands connecting to the lateral line. The body is also rounded and has a long downward aiming snout. The dorsal and caudal fins are black. The average size of a bonefish is from 3 to 5 pounds with the Florida record being 15 pounds 6 ounces.
The bonefish is a saltwater fish. It is primarily found in the Florida Keys, Biscayne Bay, along with the Bahamas. They choose to inhabit inshore waters where the water is usually less than one foot deep. They are found in the grass flats and occasionally over white sand.
Spawning for the bonefish occurs at sea around late winter and early spring. The species feed in the shallow sand and mud flats. They feed on animals that live on the bottom like worms, mollusks, shrimps, and crabs. They use their conical shaped snouts to root out their prey and can often be seen with their tail out of the water.
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