Atlantic Bonito (Sarda, sarda) by TODD CORAYER eadly Dicks, deceivers, frustration, Albies have no upper set of teeth, an Dexuberation; these all share one thing in odd evolutionary distinction since both common: Atlantic bonito. Based on the fishing logs species survive on very similar diets of herring, alewives, sandeels and some shrimps but can be a factor and water temperatures, these members of the when trying to set a hook. Neither fish has a swim bladder so mackerel family moved into our area in August and they are constantly on the move. usually remain through September. Are you Since our waters are in the low to high seventies now, prepared for the challenge? You’ll need the right temperatures are right for their return and they can be targeted rod, a few lures and if possible, a good friend with a with a spin or fly rod. Rod choice is imperative since, depending on the conditions and from where you are casting, you might fast boat. be throwing a heavy metal weighing up to 1 ½ ounces, but if Anglers in New York and down south often confuse waters are calm with action close and close to the surface, you bonito and bonita. Both are members of the Scombridae might throw a light and cumbersome soft bait. Spin fishermen family, having two dorsal fins and smaller finlets aft of the typically use a seven-foot rod with a medium action. The rear one. Shimano Stradic is a big seller and will do well fully spooled Bonito (Sarda sarda) with their magnificent irridescent with 15 pound monofilament or braid and given that bonito are stripings, efficient lines, powerful tail and boundless energy, known to have excellent eyesight, it should be tipped with 4 are a sport fisherman’s dream catch. Rarely are genus and feet of twenty to forty pound fluorocarbon leader. species identical, known as a tautonym, an honor it shares with Hooksets can be deceiving and difficult as bonito tend to the Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus). Anyway, initially just hold prey in their mouths as they dart away. To sarda also derives from Latin for sardines and their namesake, ensure a solid hookset, keep some tension on the line with your the island of Sardinia. Class dismissed. fingers to push the hook to the corner of his mouth. Bonito have distinct horizontal lines running perpendicular For flyrodders, an 8 or 9 weight is best to get the most to vertical swipes of black and the darkest green. Although backbone with the least amount of arm fatigue from false casting. classified as epipelagic, meaning they inhabit the near and far A Ross Animas 9-10 will do the trick, with its aluminum body shore waters where sunlight can still penetrate, they have a and excellent Teflon drag system. The drag handle is also easy taste for pelagic fish and small squid so will be found in skinny to grasp which really can make all the difference when your tidal waters and river mouths if they have forced some hands are wet and adrenaline is racing through your body as silversides or anchovies into a corner. that line fires off the spool. It’s also great that they are an Bonito weigh American company, which keeps a few dollars right here at on average around home. Intermediate lines will increase your time of presentation six pounds, but but if there’s a strong wind and chop, a heavier sinking line will occasionally are help put flies in the feeding zone faster. Peter Jenkins at The caught up to Saltwater Edge recommends 30 lb. monofilament leaders with twenty pounds in 15 lb. fluorocarbon tippets. our region. Fifty- You have several bait options. Plastics tend to be lighter three years before and therefore sink more slowly thus presenting themselves winning the Euro longer. Using a larger sized soft plastic will also give you 2016 soccer somewhat of a weight advantage if casting from shore and may championship, the stand out from the bait ball. Many fishermen go with white or Portuguese landed pearl from companies like Hogy and Long Cast Plastic’s Albie the world record Snax. bonito weighing Cast 4 or 5 feet ahead of the blitz, over and over and over, eighteen pounds trying to get your lure into the line of sight. If there’s a breeze, four ounces near Faial Island in the Azores. Go Portugal! metals like Deadly Dicks, Swedish Pimples and SI Sand Eels are Bonita are false albacore (Euthynnus alletteratus) classics that will get your cast out farther, but can sink too which are more closely related to tuna than the mackerel. The quickly thereby presenting themselves for too short a time. thynnus in their genus can be traced back to Latin for rushing One advantage here is that blitz’s tend to be just after sunrise or racing and may be the origin for another nickname, little to late morning or later in the afternoon so a heavier metal or jig tunny. Also called albies, or for some very unscientific reason, will better target fish in deeper waters when the action slows. fat alberts, albies’ sides bear wild, irregular swirling lines above New SI Epoxy Jigs from Hogy offer a better presentation, with their lateral line and closer to the forward dorsal fin in addition high-tech and long-lasting shiny finishes which not only better to a series of dark spots near the pectoral fins. mimic bait fish but will sink more slowly. (to page 30) - 9 - R.I.S.A.A. / September, 2016