GRAND SLAM CHARTERS CAPTAIN’S REPORT

They reckon that pound for pound the bonefish is the most powerful fish in the world, and I wouldn’t disagree with that.

They’re certainly fighters, and at times when other, much larger species like marlin make themselves scarce as they roam vast tracts of ocean – you can rely on bonefish to provide good sport.

In fact every day of the year is bonefish season.

Normally these feisty little guys – average weight 4-5lb, although they can come two or three times that size – are only seen in twos and threes.

But just after their spawning season it’s not unusual to see schools of 20 or more, and that’s something to gladden the eye.

It’s not for nothing that they have a reputation as fighters. The marlin might be known as king of the ocean, but the bonefish is certainly king of the flats, as a day out on Gland Slam’s new flatboat, Stingray, would prove to anybody.

In my opinion they’re the finest fighting fish to be found in shallow waters,  and as the experts say, there’s no better experience that catching a bone on a fly rod.

Sometimes they’ll give you a 45 minute fight.

They’re also great sport for specialist spinners like me – pretty much perfect. Just get a hook into one to see what they are capable of doing.

Suddenly the line snaps taught, and in the wink of an eye they are 60 or 70 yards away.

Bonefish are always plentiful in the summer time, and they make for very good sport, no matter what your age – from four to 90 - and the joy of the catch never leaves you.

It’s always exciting. It really is amazing to see – and experience - how that little fish can drive a line.

My fellow Grand Slam captains tell me that the big game fish have been amazing this year, and likely to get better, especially with the wahoos.

Maybe it’s because it’s getting colder in the other places but they are all landing here. It’s not unusual to produce up to 14 wahoos a day and always a nice yellow fin tuna or a big mahi mahi accompanying them.

Sail fish have also been making everyone happy with their beautiful dances when being  brought to the boat.

Before I sign off I have to take my cap off to the Turks & Caicos contingent who recently took second place in the International Billfish Tournament in Cuba – especially since the TCI were represented by Grand Slam’s very own Geoff Thomasson and Stewart McSwiney.

Well done to them both!

And as we always say here “Happy fishin’ to you all.”

Valentino Robinson

PS. You don’t have to take our word for it that big game fishing is a wonderful experience.

We’ve just received this comment from Kansas City businessman Tom Edwards:-

“We just returned from a great experience with Grand Slam Fishing Charters this past week in Turks and Caicos. It was a terrific experience. Our Capt and crew did a wonderful job of maximizing our terrific experience. We landed one Mahi and three Wahoo in a beautiful afternoon. We did get to pull in 8 (2 each)! The crew filleted what we wanted and we then had it prepared at Hemingways. What a great experience to catch and then enjoy fresh fish on the same day. Well done Grand Slam!!”