Cuba [Archive] - World Sea Fishing Forums

Cubavirgin

22-03-2004, 10:19

Hi all,

I am planning a trip to Cuba and of course will be doing some fishing. I am looking for any information I can get with regard to tackle, especially in the Fly tackle as I am new to Sea fly fishing. any one got any advice on the type of rods lures reel I should bring ?

Dave West

02-04-2004, 15:01

I suspect you're going to struggle.  From what I've heard the inshore waters have been largely fished out by locals.  And whilst there're are prolific areas for Bonefish and Tarpon they are in offshore areas in the Marine National Park and normally fished as part of week long packages from a Mothercraft.

So really two suggestions.  Firstly in case you are able to hire and guide and a skiff take a 7 or 8 weight rod, preferably with a fast action and a reel with a good drag system holding minimally 200 yards of backing.  A tropical forward tapered floating line should do.  (You'll find that most UK lines will just 'collapse' in the heat.  In terms of flies, weighted flies on 6 or size 4 hooks would suffice.  'Gotcha' patterns, simulating shrimps, would work well as would the ubiquitious 'Clouser' which relies on action and mimics most prey species.  So that outfit would be fine for Bonefish or small Snapper.  For the Tarpon, most of which seem to be small fish up to 35lbs or so, you need to step up to a 10 or 12 weight rod, floating or intermediate line, and appropriate fly patterns.

Cuba's not an area I've fished but could I perhaps also suggest you posting to the forum on www.reel-time.com or www.flyfishinsalt.com  Both have large audiences of Caribbean flyfishers.  And despite US restrictions many Americans get to Cuba via either the Bahamas or Canada.  I understand local immigration officials offer tourists the opportunity of either stamping the passport, or stamping a separate piece of paper.  You might also get some background information from Frontiers web site www.frontierstrvl.com.
Kindest Regards
Dave West
PS I haven't re-registered with this forum yet but should you want any clarification feel free to contact me on DaveWest@scbi.org.uk

PanamaJack

06-04-2004, 18:02

There is a current posting on

http://www.flyfishinsalt.com/forum.jsp?ID=6673

relating to Cuba, that might give you a starting point.  One of the respondents particularly appeared to be quite willing to pass on information.

There was also reference to a European web site -

www.medflyfish.com

which also contained a thread on Cuban fly fishing.  It's supposedly a bi-lingual site - English and Italian.  But I'm sure if you get stuck you could resort to translation through www.babelfish.com.