inshore

Bonefish

Albula vulpes

Silver-flash flats specialist. Sight-fish on incoming tide where sand or turtle-grass flats meet a slightly deeper edge. Tailing fish at low light, mudding fish on bright days. Spook fast — long leaders, light landings.

Preferred water temp72–84°F

Preferred depth1–10 ft

Peak monthsMar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov

Holds onsand flats, turtle-grass flats, mangrove creeks, tidal cuts, oceanside cays

In our regions

Miami & Keys — Atlantic sideBahamas — Eleuthera, Exuma & Cat IslandBahamas — Bimini & Grand BahamaBahamas — Abaco & AndrosSouthwest Florida — Gulf

Regulations

⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 31, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 4 of 4 regulations

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Catch & releaseCatch & release only

Bag limit: 0 / angler / day

Catch-and-release only since Sept 1, 2013.

FL Gulf bonefish: C&R only.

BAHAMAS

Bahamas — Department of Marine Resources

Catch & releaseCatch & release only

Catch & release only — Bahamas designated bonefish a game fish; no commercial harvest, no retention by recreational anglers. Guide required for many flats.

Bahamas DMR.

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Catch & releaseCatch & release only

Bag limit: 0 / angler / day

Catch-and-release only since Sept 1, 2013. Multiple hooks with live/dead bait prohibited. Special pre-spawn aggregation protections in Biscayne National Park (2025 rules).

FL Atlantic bonefish: C&R only. New pre-spawn protections in 2025.

STATE

All Florida — State + Federal

Catch & releaseCatch & release only

Catch-and-release only statewide. No retention. Fish must remain in water for release if over 40" or for photography.

FWC. Florida Keys are world-class bonefish flats.