Hello all, first trip to Bonaire booked for July 31-Aug 10, YES!!!! Staying at Zale's. We are avid divers and fishers - what a contradiction! We strictly catch-and-release here in Canada, but if we catch Dorado we will eat it! Anyway, we have checked out the Fishing Bonaire webpage and have a few questions:
1. Re deep sea fishing, what is "running" in August? What is probability of a good catch?
2. Re reef fishing - yikes, what reef are they fishing? Obviously outside the protected area, right? Anybody ever done this, and how did you like it?
3. Re bonefishing - I searched the talk boards and found some info on bonefishing in the salt flats, sounds like this is bogus - has anyone ever really caught bonefish there?
4. If a tourist brings their own equipment, where could we fish and what could we catch on the island? We are also planning on renting a 20' boat for a day so we could fish off that, but where and for what?
5. Appreciate your recommendations for charters, they all sound good!

Thanks
Rick, Deb and Erica Sperling

Yes, you really catch bonefish in the salt pans. I've done it. They also have permit (the fish, not license) in there as well. We saw them schooling but no bites. It was very peaceful fishing. If you bring your own gear, you can flyfish but you have to be skilled due to the strong winds.

The reef is not protected against ordinary fishing pole type fishing. It is protected against most nets, most traps, and spearfishing.

Locals will fish right off the town pier. You can fish anywhere with a hand line. You may not anchor your boat anywhere at all unless it is less than 12 feet and use a stone anchor.

The fishermen generally drift or tie up for brief time on a public mooring. It is frowned upon to fish in front of the resorts since there is lots of boat traffic, snorkelers and divers about.

Fish types are usually Wahoo and Mahi Mahi (Dorado). There is also marlin, tuna, and barracuda. I don't kow what is running in August.