Your presentation should always be chosen according to the fish's behavior, but no matter what behavior you encounter, you should always make your cast so that you can retrieve the fly in front of and away from the fish. That might seem fairly simple to do but it is very easy to cast to some cruising or feeding fish and have them swim across the leader in which case you would then be stripping toward the fish. From a fish's point of view, the fly would then appear to be coming after him which is quite unnatural and would spook the fish. A more natural situation would be for the fish to see its prey (fly) trying to escape, that is, being stripped away.

Following is a very brief description of fish behaviors you will encounter on the flats.

1. Tailing - When bonefish (or any fish) is tailing, it has it's head down and is somewhat preoccupied with rooting around for food. Its vision is slightly diminished by the angle and it has usually stirred up the bottom. This combination requires you to place a fly fairly close to a school for them to see it. Look closely at the school to locate all the fish and try to cast to the fish closest to you. It is easy to spook the whole school. Tailing fish tend to be very spooky, but even if they do spook, don't get flustered. Let your fly settle to the bottom and wait a few seconds. Because a school of tailing fish are feeding together, they also tend to be very aggressive; probably because of the competition for food. The school will usually regroup quickly in the same spot. When they do your fly will already be in place...a few short strips and bang!...bonefish!

2. Mudding - On the deeper part of the flat, individual or groups of bonefish will often stir up the bottom as they grub for food. This cloud of mud tends to make the bones feel quite secure and often the angler can catch one bone after another without spooking the school. To locate the fish within a mud, look for the telltale flashes of reflected light. Just keep casting to the leading edge of the mud where they are feeding. If using lure, cast about 15 feet past the fish, just in front of the leading edge and retrieve it.

3. Cruising - These are generally the most difficult fish to catch because they aren't necessarily interested in feeding. When bones are cruising, they seem to be even more wary than usual, therefore extreme care should be taken in making your presentation. When casting to cruising fish, remember to place your fly of lure well ahead of the fish and let it settle. Wait until the fish is almost on top of it before moving it. Be sure to place it where you will be able to retrieve it in front of and away from the fish school. If the fly or lure lands too close to cruising fish, they will spook and you won't get a second cast.