Series synopsis
Buccaneers & Bones is an American documentary television series that premiered on Outdoor Channel on December 31, 2010. It stars Lefty Kreh, Tom Brokaw, Zach Gilford and Michael Keaton.
The famed saltwater flats of the Bahamas and Belize give a beautiful setting for the fishing adventure and conservation initiative undertaken in "Buccaneers and Bones." Journalist Tom Brokaw -- who also narrates the series -- leads an expedition in search of the island's legendary bonefish. Joining Brokaw are an eclectic group of celebrities, authors and business titans to fly-fish and swap stories about the wonders of the sport, and the modern-day buccaneers also discuss the importance of ensur ...
Premise
The famed saltwater flats of the Bahamas and Belize give a beautiful setting for the fishing adventure and conservation initiative undertaken in "Buccaneers and Bones." Journalist Tom Brokaw -- who also narrates the series -- leads an expedition in search of the island's legendary bonefish. Joining Brokaw are an eclectic group of celebrities, authors and business titans to fly-fish and swap stories about the wonders of the sport, and the modern-day buccaneers also discuss the importance of ensuring healthy populations of marine species for generations to come. The series reveals research funded by Bonefish and Tarpon Trust and other organizations -- information to help anglers catch more fish and preserve fragile coastal habitats. Other seasons of the series take place off the island of Ambergris Caye in Belize. Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, actors Liam Neeson and Michael Keaton, TV host Jimmy Kimmel, and musician Huey Lewis are among Brokaw's guests. Supports Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT)
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Lefty Kreh
- Tom Brokaw as Narrator
- Zach Gilford
- Michael Keaton as Host
- Jimmy Kimmel
- Jim Belushi
- Aaron Adams
- Huey Lewis
Supporting cast
Episodes
This series spans 7 seasons with 49 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 7 | December 31, 2010 | December 31, 2010 |
| Season 2 | 7 | December 31, 2011 | December 31, 2011 |
| Season 3 | 7 | January 3, 2013 | February 11, 2013 |
| Season 4 | 7 | December 29, 2013 | February 9, 2014 |
| Season 5 | 7 | January 1, 2015 | February 12, 2015 |
| Season 6 | 7 | December 29, 2015 | February 9, 2016 |
| Season 7 | 7 | January 2, 2018 | February 13, 2018 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Silver Kings The group of iconic anglers reunite for a week of fishing & camaraderie in Belize. Bill Klyn & Tom McGuane fish for snook, Lori-Ann Murphy & Zach Gilford go after bonefish & Michael Keaton & Tom Brokaw pursue permit & tarpon. |
December 31, 2010 |
| 2 |
Grey Ghosts The team of anglers cast into the flats off the coast of Belize in pursuit of bonefish. Tom Brokaw & Bill Klyn casts from a boat, McGuane & Yvon Chouninard try their luck wading & Michael Keaton & Lori-Ann Murphy use both methods. |
December 31, 2010 |
| 3 |
The Backcast The group of anglers continue their week of fishing out of El Pescador Lodge & the Belize River Lodge. Tom McGuane experiences a memorable fight with a giant tarpon & we join up with angling legend Stu Apte in Florida. |
December 31, 2010 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Land and Sea The buccaneers are returning to one of the most stirring angling destinations of the Bahamas. Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard is the first to land a bonefish at the end of his line. |
December 31, 2011 |
| 2 |
Silver Treasure Lefty Kreh lends Michael Keaton his rod while fishing the flats. Yvon Chouinard and Aaron Adams wade the flats hoping a bonefish will bite. Tom Brokaw attempts to catch his first fish of the trip. |
December 31, 2011 |
| 3 |
Tight Lines The anglers battle mangroves and sharks as they hook silver ghosts. Actors Liam Neeson and Richard Bentley join the buccaneers at Deep Water Cay |
December 31, 2011 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Setting the Hook This week it's off to the Bahamas where Tom Brokaw, Lefty Krey, Tom McGuane, Yvon Chouinard, Michael Keaton and Bill Klyn try their luck at landing some hard to come by bonefish while Andy Mill ventures off on his own in pursuit of tarpon. |
January 3, 2013 |
| 2 |
Guiding Stars This week on Buccaneers and Bones, we're fishing for tarpon and bonefish in the Bahamas at Deep Water Cay. |
January 7, 2013 |
| 3 |
Eat It This week on Buccaneers and Bones, we fish shark infested waters for bonefish in the Bahamas. Michael Keaton tries the technique of paddle board fishing, and we follow 3 accomplished women anglers as they fish the open sea. |
January 14, 2013 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Grand Slam This week, we travel to El Pescador Lodge in Belize where Meridith, Yvon, Will, Tom, and Lefty set out to accomplish the Grand Slam of fishing, which means taking home a permit, tarpon, and bonefish all in the same day. |
December 29, 2013 |
| 2 |
Lefty's Right This week, the quest continues as the group targets a Grand Slam which includes bonefish, permit, and tarpon, but Lefty Kreh encounters one of the potential hazards of fly fishing as his right hand gets caught up in the spool. |
January 5, 2014 |
| 3 |
Simply Cannot Get Enough This week, Lefty helps Huey with some tips on bonefishing while Tom and Will have a tough go at landing permit. Then, Meredith and Bill switch it up and head out for deep water fish. |
January 12, 2014 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Sunset and Rising Tide Newcomers Jimmy Kimmel and Jim Belushi catch their first bonefish as they join the cast of Huey Lewis, Yvon Chouinard, Tom McGuane, Lefty Kreh, and Bill Klyn at Bair's Lodge in South Andros Island for spectacular flats fishing. |
January 1, 2015 |
| 2 |
Links in the Food Chain Jim Belushi, Jimmy Kimmel, and Huey Lewis learn first-hand about the harsh reality of predators and prey on the salt water flats, and how anglers can play a key role in conserving this ecosystem. |
January 8, 2015 |
| 3 |
Learning Curves Jim Belushi and Jimmy Kimmel fish together after getting a few quick lessons from the masters, plus the whole cast tries to catch wild native crabs without losing a finger. |
January 15, 2015 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Old Flies... Old Friends Visiting the turquoise flats surrounding Deep Water Cay, Bahama |
December 29, 2015 |
| 2 |
The Chrome Connection The chase is on for the silver-sided bonefish and tarpon in the Bahamas |
January 5, 2016 |
| 3 | Boats vs. Boots | January 12, 2016 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Genesis Tom Brokaw, Michael Keaton, Yvon Chouinard, and Bill Klyn go fly-fishing within walking distance of Turneffe Flats Lodge. The team learns why the preservation of the flats is critical to conserve this treasure for future generations. |
January 2, 2018 |
| 2 |
Roll Call A look at Buccaneers over the years as Liam Neeson, Jimmy Kimmel, Huey Lewis, Jim Belushi, Tom McGuane and Zach Gilford join the team for fly fishing. Also: the team honors angling legend Lefty Kreh as he gives Kimmel a casting lesson. |
January 9, 2018 |
| 3 |
Cause for Concern Huey Lewis and Bill Klyn wrestle with amazing bonefish while wading the flats of Belize; the team learns the value of proper fish management and handling |
January 16, 2018 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Outdoor Channel |
|---|---|
| First aired | December 31, 2010 |
| Last aired | February 13, 2018 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | continue |