Hi
I've seen these 2 terms mentioned but I
Trying to clarify what they mean. I'm guessing mudding is where they stir up the bottom While eating, same as carp do ?

Thanks

Lee

Correct.

I have many saltwater fishing books but if you're going on a bonefishing trip I can highly recommend this one

I can only explain "Tailing or Tailers."
In shallow water Bonefish swim with their backs showing and their tail points up like the dorsal fin on a shark. When observed swimming in this way it is referred to as tailing. When the Bonefish are spoted with their tails erect thay are referred to as "tailers."

1. "Tailing" - While feeding with their snouts buried in the bottom substrate, bonefish will often stick their wavering tails out of the water. As this occurs, the angler can usually throw a fly or lure almost directly on top of them without spooking them. Whenever bones are tailing, you can be sure that they are feeding and thus highly absorbed in what they are doing.

2. "Mudding" - On the deeper parts of the flat, individual or groups of bonefish will often stir up the bottom detritus as they grub for food. This cloud of mud or "marl" tends to make the bones feel quite secure and often the angler can catch one bone after another without spooking the school.

3. "Cruising"-Are generally the most difficult fish to present a fly or lure to because they aren't necessarily interested in feeding. When bones are cruising, they are much more aware of their surroundings and therefore extreme c are should be taken in presentation. When casting to cruising fish, remember to place your offering well ahead of the fish and let it settle until the fish is right on top of it. If the fly or lure is placed too close to a cruising fish, it will immediately bolt for safer waters.

BK

Regarding "mudding", there is a point of view which suggests that it is not really the "done thing" to catch fish after fish from a mud. Three or four, maybe - after that, leave them alone, and seek out some trickier fish. I guess it depends a bit on how many bones you have caught in your life!
Incidentally, you will often have a surprise when fishing a muddy patch. Big snappers and barracudas seem to find them very interesting; presumably because bonefish are easier to catch in these circumstances. I often run a popper or rattling plug through the mud (after I've caught however bonefish I consider reasonable) and have found it well worth the effort!

Hi thanks for that. I guess it's a similar principle to when fishing for carp in that they cloud up the bottom in the margins whilst feeding on pellets etc. I'm really looking forward to going here so much so that I'm hoping we can get a cheap deal for August this year however I don't think my tackle will be prepared

Thanks

Lee

Tailing is a term used by guides and anglers usually when fishing for Bonefish and Permit. The fisherman is normally observing fish in a foot to eighteen inches of water. The fish is tipped up with it's nose to the bottom looking for food. Because the water is so shallow and due to the angle of the fish looking for food, their tail is exposed above the water line and the fish are easy to spot, follow and cast to.

Mudding is where the fish is also searching for food by stirring up the mud or sand on the bottom. When this even occurs, you usually see more than one fish because them seem to hunt in small packs. You can observe the mudding and determine the direction the fish is moving prior to casting.

On a normal day of flats fishing, you will probably observe both mudding and tailing and both are good things.