The good news is... yes you can. Most of the bonefish (called Oio in Hawaii) were within 15 to 25 feet of us when we cast to them. Well within the range of a 13'6" Amago rod.
The depth of the water your fishing determines the weight of the fly you use. If the water is 6 to 12 inches you use a lighter fly because it doesn't take long for it to sink to the bottom. If the water is 2 to 3 feet, you'll need a heavily weighted fly to get it to the bottom quickly. (Oio are bottom feeders)
Casting a heavy fly with a light tenkara rod presents it's own set of challenges. The usual strong trade winds here complicate things too.
Accuracy is very important. You do not cast to the fish. The fly must be placed 8 feet in front of the fish, allowed to sink to the bottom, then moved in such a way that the approaching bonefish will see it. If your fly lands too close to the fish it will spook. And just because the fish sees the fly, doesn't mean it will eat it.
Working a fly... "stripping", like you would do while using conventional flyrods wasn't as big a deal as I anticipated.
Now for the "More Good News".
Remember how when you purchased your new Tenkara USA rod and there was a warning about using leader line no stronger than 5# test... or you might break the rod? That's so that if you do by chance hook into that 7 or 8 pounder, the leader will break before the rod does. Tenkara rods are designed for catching small (read under one pound) trout in small mountain streams. I am here to tell you that the 4# test flora carbon leader that I was using broke every time, just as advertised. My rod survived every fish I hooked.
I can't remember a more exciting fishing adventure. My son and I walking the flats filled with huge bonefish. We must have spotted 50 fish and I had shots at well over half of them. You can't believe the adrenaline rush when you hook a fish that's as big around as your leg and just as long... and that fish was only 15 feet from where your standing in foot deep water. When you set the hook and the fish takes off it splashes water all over you.
Now let's talk about "landing" fish. If you want to land a bonefish like this "little" 5 pounder that my son Chris is holding... I suggest you pack up your Tenkara rod and start with an 8 weight western style fly rod. Select a reel with a good drag and over 150 yards of backing. Hawaii bonefish average 7 to 12 pounds.
