Of all the species of fish that the fly fisherman can pursue, the bonefish just may be the perfect adversary. Streamlined for speed and built like miniature rockets, these silver predators warily stalk the near-shore reefs and shallow warm water flats of the world.

Christmas Island. The atolls of Belize. The Florida Keys. The angler can only dream of hooking up with a trophy bone at one of these world renowned locations. But if a double digit bonefish is what you want, your best shot will come in the crystal clear waters off Oahu, Hawaii. Minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki lies a largely untouched bone fishery ripe for the picking. With the shadow of Diamond Head looming in the distance you can feel the excitement of a powerful bone burning line from your reel.

What Oahu may lack in numbers, it more than compensates in quality. Four to six pound fish are the norm and ten pounders aren’t uncommon. Though often finicky and erratic, o’io (oi - yo), as locals call them, are one of the best fighting fish around and will bend your rod to the cork. With the right gear, persistence, and a little know-how, the reward will be well worth it.

Bonefish 101
Known for its surprising power and long, reel-emptying runs, the bonefish is one of the most sought after game fish in the world. Though sometimes found in deep water, most anglers pursue bones on shallow flats. Be warned, most of the flats off Oahu are laced with coral, rock beds, and a host of nasty bottom dwellers that can slice your skin and wreak havoc on fishing gear. Unlike the sandy flats of other near shore waters, this can present a unique problem, so plan accordingly.

The interlocking channels, quick drop offs, and sandy holes found along Oahu’s coast make a perfect hangout for schools of big bones which cruise along looking for bait. Schools of hundreds of smaller fish can be found and the larger o’io will often travel in packs of two or three. Rogue fish are also common. Look for the trademark tail breaking the surface and pods of bait being worked. Reading Oahu’s coastal waters becomes a cinch with a little practice. The pleasant climate, warm water, and world-class angling will provide you with hours of entertainment.

What You’ll Need
If you’re planning on visiting Oahu for some fishing, you’ll need to have protection against the elements. A good SPF sunscreen is a must, as is appropriate clothing and a hat. You can bet on consistent temperatures in the 80s with a light breeze. While these conditions are perfect for beach goers, a full day of fishing can be downright hazardous. You don’t want your precious vacation ruined by a bad sunburn or dehydration. Carry water with you at all times and keep the skin covered. Your body will thank you.

Make sure your gear is up to par before embarking on your Oahu fishing adventure. A good 8-9 weight fly rod will do the trick. Sage and St. Croix both manufacture excellent rods perfect for bone fishing. Whatever reel you choose, make sure it has ample backing (150 yards minimum) with a solid drag system. The Sage 5000 line as well as the Everglades system by Tibor are both good options. There’s no need to go out and purchase an expensive set up just for your trip, but make sure your gear is trustworthy. Being on an Oahu flat with a broken drag does not make for productive fishing.

Choose a good quality floating line and bring along some ten to fourteen pound tippet. Leaders should be tapered and fluorocarbon. The purpose of this is two fold. First, bonefish are picky. Investing in a durable line with low visibility is a smart move. Second, the coral and rock systems off Oahu will rip your line to shreds. Not what you want when you’ve hooked into a 12 pound o’io. Spend the extra buck.

A stripping basket can also prove useful while hunting bones, especially if the wind picks up. Waders, water proof boots, or even an old pair of rubber soled sneakers are necessary to protect your feet from the hazardous bottom. Finally, bone fishing is largely done by sight. Bring along your best pair of polarized sunglasses, especially if they have interchangeable lenses. O’io spook easily and blend in perfectly with their surroundings, so you’ll need the lenses to spot them.

Chances are good that if you’ve done some saltwater fly fishing you probably have some great bonefish flies already in your tacklebox. Christmas Island specials, Gotchas, and Crazy Charlies are all proven winners and favorites of local fishermen. Sizes 4-6 are ideal for bonefish. Experiment with a variety of colors and learn to “match the hatch”. Look at bait in the water around and try to duplicate it with your fly pattern. Tan shades are productive, as well as silver, chartreuse, and pink combinations. No one fly is perfect so switch ‘em up. You’ll also want to keep some weighted flies in your bonefish arsenal to get down to deeper channels and holes where bones often lurk. O’io are a wary fish, but once you hook into one, all your careful planning and gear selection will pay off.

Where To Go
You’re all geared up and ready to head out. But where to go? The coast of Oahu is a mix of sheer cliffs, pounding surf, and placid flats. While local fishermen often report catches of massive 20 pound bonefish using hand lines in deeper water, you’ll want to stick to the shallows. Many of the state parks offer coastal fishing access. There are no saltwater fishing licenses in Oahu, so in most cases it won’t cost you a dime. Look for any place water remains shallow far off shore and protected from turbulent conditions. Talk to local fishermen who are usually more than happy to share their thoughts.

Because most anglers in Hawaii practice “catch and eat”, bonefish don’t receive much pressure and the fishery remains strong. Half the battle of bone fishing is simply locating the fish. Keep the polarized sunglasses on and your eyes open!

Good bone fishing can be found on the southeast side of Oahu from Wai’alae Beach Park up through Maunalua Bay. Try different access points and look for the flats. Further up the east coast is Kane’ohe Bay, a massive network of near shore shallows, rock structures, and coral. As an added bonus, you can try kayaking the waters off Oahu and around Kane’ohe for big bones. Go Bananas (808-737-9514) and Twogood (808-262-5656) are both knowledgeable rental agencies and will provide you with everything you need to make your kayaking bonefish adventure memorable. Finally, if you just aren’t in the mood to hunt down o’io on your own or would prefer some expert guidance, talk to the guys at Nervous Waters in town or take a look at bonefishinghawaii.com . Both offer excellent guide services.

Hickam Flats
The good news is that Hickam flats offers arguably the best opportunity for awesome bone fishing on the island. It’s the spot that the guides don’t want to tell you about and the locals don’t even know about. The bad news is that Hickam Flats lies near the mouth of Pearl Harbor in restricted military space. Up until very recently anglers could acquire permits that granted limited access to the flats and the monster bones that haunt them. The military reconsidered a number of safety issues and thus revoked many of the permits. Now the only way to gain access is by being on active duty or in possession a military ID. Tough to swallow and very disappointing for anglers. If you can gain access you are in for the angling opportunity of a lifetime.

Tips and Tactics
Patience and persistence are key to landing a big o’io. Try a variety or retrieves and strip your line at different rates. Mix up your selection of flies and work the flats slowly and methodically. Look for any irregularity or change in the landscape where bonefish might hang out. If you find bait being pushed or a tailing bone, work the spot thoroughly. Put your fly in the fish’s line of sight and don’t be discouraged by failed attempts. Often bones will neglect a fly for twenty casts and then strike aggressively on the 21st. If you hook into a bone hang on tight! These saltwater torpedos fight relentlessly and will make multiple hundred yard runs.

Try to avoid shallow coral or rock beds that could break you off. Avoid hard hook sets and get the fish on the reel as quickly as possible. Keep the fish’s head up and don’t horse it. Bonefish have a way of making anglers aware of any mistakes they may have made, so remain patient. Watching a hooked bone run across the glistening flats can be truly an amazing experience. Enjoy the fight and the thrill of hunting an Oahu o’io.

Grab your rod, reel, and Hawaiian shirt and book a flight for some of the greatest fly angling America has to offer. After a tough day on the water, sit back with a pina colada and watch the sun set over tropical paradise.