Coach Duff's Hawaiian Bonefishing
By: Coach Duff
If there is one word that really gets a saltwater angler’s blood flowing and competitive juices running, it’s got to be bonefish. Since legendary Florida Captain Bill Smith hooked and landed an 8 pound fish in 1939 with the use of some white chicken feathers, the bonefish has driven deep into the psyche of fly anglers the world over. Captain Smith’s story is both funny and interesting. He had caught bonefish on the fly prior to this but with pork rind “tails” attached to his flies. One day he carried one of his catch into a store to weigh it, and the legendary George LeBranche the innovative dean and father of dry fly fishing in the United States was present. Mr. LeBranche looked at the pork rind tail and asked, “Why didn’t you just go all the way Bill, and tie the four feet onto the hook also!”. Angered and embarrassed Captain Smith ran home and designed the white chicken feather fly he would officially hook the first bonefish “by design” on a fly, rod and reel. As anglers we love, honor and cherish our roots and history, so what not a better way to begin an article on the world’s biggest bonefish than by remembering where we all come from?
Many things have changed since Captain Smith’s fish in 1939. As anglers we have scoured every inch of this planet looking for bigger, stronger and faster bonefish. In 1954 a shore angler named William Badua quietly landed an 18 pound bonefish in Hawaii that would stand as the world record until 1976 when it would be broken by a South African anglers also using heavy shore gear. I say “quietly” as it was recognized as a world record and a Hawaiian state record but really went no farther. It was decided that Hawaii did not have much for flats, and in reality Hawaii is a world class “Bluewater Fishery”, not a flats or bonefish fishery. In Hawaii the bonefish is known as the O’io. So life went on, fly anglers raised a brow, took a sniff and decided Hawaii wasn’t the place.
Since 1954 anglers have chased bonefish in Mexico, Bahamas, Florida, Northern Australia, Tahiti, New Caledonia, Belize, Los Roques, The Seychelles, Christmas Island, Palmyra, heck even South Africa. But Hawaii? Not in earnest. There were some small local guiding operations, ) taking folks out for half day blindcasting sessions which we all know is not how a serious angler hunts bonefish. In fact some of them are still around. If you decide to go “budget” or cash only wading only, make SURE they at least will sight fish you all day. Also be forewarned that those “guides” also operate uninsured. Paying a couple hundred bucks to blind cast all day is not the way to hunt our giant bonefish. I did not include this to insult anyone’s intelligence. World Wide Fishing Guide sponsored anglers do their homework and are some of the finest and most informed anglers we fish with.
Enter Terry Duffield……… that be me! I moved to Hawaii to coach at the University of Hawaii (2007) in 2007. I was a football coach at that time but like many of us, a fly angler first and foremost. I know, it is a sickness! A 30 year fly-fishing veteran (and FFF casting instructor) and terribly addicted steelhead bum I grew up in Washington State chasing steelhead from Northern California to the Skeena. On my second day here on Oahu I went to an inner reef flat with my family and got a half hour to myself to fly-fish. I hooked and landed a 9 pound Hawaiian Bonefish and from that day on was bitten so to speak. I could not believe the power and speed of that monster’s first 150 yard run. The cat was out of the bag. We had a great season and after losing to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, I quit coaching to live and guide full time for these massive fish on Oahu. These fish just captured my heart immediately.
I can hear you mumbling, “Enough with the writing nonsense, now the real question Captain Duff, “HOW BIG”? I know that is THE question that needs to be answered. How about 5-9 pound average big? Our species here is, "Abula Glossodanta", the same species found in The Seychelles and down to South Africa. The 3 biggest bonefish ever caught on rod and reel is this species. One as said earlier was landed in 1954 here in Hawaii at just over 18 pounds and two over 19 pounds have been landed in South Africa. You put all that together and you have the biggest bonefish in the world. On Hawaiian Flats we deal with heavy winds every day all day and this couple with the incredible size, age and smarts of this wonderful game fish make 1-5 fish landed a day a good day. Sometimes we hook and land more, but anything over 5 fish landed is a phenomenal day. Those of you that have hunted true trophy size bones in Islamorada and other areas will know immediately what I am talking about. On a good day with the flats boat one can see 100 fish over 5 pounds and cast to 25 or 30, with 10 good presentations being a great day. Throw in big winds, shaking hands, thumping hearts and a half dozen legitimate shots at 10 plus pound fish a day and you have World Class Trophy Bonefishing ANYWHERE on this planet.
Now there are flats and Hawaiian Bonefish to be hooked on Kauai also. Rob Arita has guided Kauai for 8 years now. Rob is my partner in crime and used to hold one of 10 outfitter licenses on the fabled North Umpqua and we used to bump into each other on the mighty Kispiox in Skeena country. He does half days only due to the size of the flats but put folks on bonefish and is a great angler, guide and host. There are flats on Molokai and folks claiming to “guide” there. They do not live on Molokai however, and until someone does live there full time, I do not consider those claims serious or with any merit. Oahu is by far the finest bonefish fishery in size of flats, fish counts, fish sizes and of course activities for the non-fisher.
The non-fishery has every option possible on Oahu to enjoy our Aloha Spirit. Shopping, sunbathing, kite-boarding, surfing, horseback riding, spas, Pilates, World Class Resorts, Yoga, Pearl and Jewelry making, and some of the finest restaurants in the World. We have incredible lodging for those who want to get away from Honolulu over here to the quiet and very Aloha filled Windward side. In short, we can accommodate any wish, need or hope one would have on vacation. This fishery is big enough, varied enough and challenging enough to rival ANY week long trophy fishery going today. And with all of the beauty and activities we have for the non-fisher everyone of every age can have a great time while you hunt the big fellas!
We are very proud to introduce the addition of Chris Acero to Coach Duff's Hawaiian Bonefishing Team. Chris recently moved to Hawaii and has teamed up with Captain Duff and together they give you a very experienced and qualified ONE - TWO punch! Chris gives us great flexibility as he is a spinning rod/fly expert. Chris guided 14 successful years in Florida in the Keys and was the 2004 IGFA inshore WORLD CHAMPION. He is the Coach Duff's Hawaiian Bonefishing walk and wade specialist and as a longtime Captain he has a small boat from which to insert you to your flats he wades with you on. The Coach still runs the custom 18 foot Andros Flats Boat and does full day flats boat/wade days depending on tides. Chris will be the spinning rod specialist and can accomodate the fly on walk and wade only trips. The Coach fishes the fly exclusively and will now be able to refer spinning trips to a completely professional Captain and Guide with years of spinning rod experience on big bonefish.
We like 8 and 9 weight saltwater action rods here in Hawaii to deal with winds. I am
a full Burkheimer Pro Staff member I like his 9 and 7 weight "Hawaiian Bonefish" models
Kerry has designed just for this fishery. The 9 weight is a workhorse day to day cast
into heavy winds rod, while the 7 weight is a presentation rod designed specifically for
tailing fish which we see plenty of at the right times. (and let me tell ya brothers and
sisters, a 9 pound tailing bone will stop your heart!!). Although I really believe in
Burkheimer rods, any crisp, fast 8 or 9 weight salwater taper will do fine. We overline
our rods by one (a 10 weight on a 9 weight rod) and believe fully in Monic Phantom Tip
lines. The clear floating tip is a big helper for spooky bones and these lines with
custom 30 pound cores are made just for us here in paradise. Anglers can order them
directly from Monic which is a luxury in itself. We fish tippets from 10 to 20 pounds
depending on bottom composition, size of fly and spookiness of fish and alwasy use and
provide our clients with Frog Hair flourocarbon and "Deep Blue" when fishing skinny,
skinny water and don't want the flourocarbon to stick. Sunglasses shoud be amber or
copper of course polorized and flats clothing should be of earthy tones (blues, khakis,
ect) to minimize your "footprint" to the ever elusive Hawaiian Bonefish. Flies should be
in tans, browns, olives and orange/yellow and in varying sink rates. Sizes 10 through 2.
Coach supplies all flies, leader, equipment and food and drink on guided days, fully
realizes how enjoyable fly tying is and is available at any time to talk pattern
development. A complete gear list is available on our website and we supply the above
world class gear free to all clients. Lastly, remember we do have spinning rod guides
available for those who do not flyfish. Coach Duff only guides and fishes the fly has a
couple spinning rod guides he likes and will recommend. ALL HAWAIIAN BONEFISHING if with
Coach or someone he recommends is CATCH AND RELEASE. We want that 10 pounder to be 12 on
your next trip!
Captain Terry Duffield (AKA Coach Duff)
FFF Certified Casting Instructor
IGFA Certified Guide
Owner/Head Guide
Click here to learn more about Coach Duff's Hawaiian Bonefishing
We are catch and release only
Captain Terry Duffield (AKA "Coach Duff) grew up chasing steelhead in Washington State. He has fly fished in over 15 states and several countries and considers the Hawaiian Bonefish, the smallmouth bass and the wild steelhead as his favorite fly rod fish. He loves this thing we call fly-fishing and loves teaching others. He is a FFF certified casting instructor, the only one in the Hawaiian islands and tested under casting legend Tim Rajeff. Coach graduated college with a degree in Sports Science, served 8 years in the United States Marine Corps, 7 of those in the elite 2 Force Recon Company and is a veteran of both Somalia and Desert Storm. He coached the game of football from Little League to High School to Junior College to a Division One A Sugar Bowl on the 2007 University of Hawaii Warriors. No matter what he has accomplished, it means nothing compared to his full time job as father and husband. He lives in Kailua, Hawaii with his wife Stephanie, sons Dalton (12) and Deuce (4) and of course his very "outgoing" daughter Darvin (6) who ensures that Coach is kept busy, humble and overwhelmed every waking minute of every day. Grandpa says it's paybacks............
Captain Duffield has been seen in "Destination Fish", "Fly Rod and Reel", "The IGFA magazine", "World Wide Fishing Guide" and will have another published article next month in "Japanese Flyrodder".
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