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Post by davidarmes on Nov 28, 2005 14:42:04 GMT -5
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Post by bloke on Nov 29, 2005 0:13:18 GMT -5
David I go twice a year, once to Cayo Largo with the boys and later in the year with my wife to Cayo Coco, Romano, Guillermo ( or other Cayos ) The north side of Cuba ( Cayos ) is reputed to be devoid of bonefish and tarpon etc but this is not the case. There are tarpon in the Channels outside the hotels in Cayo Coco up to about 25 lbs and bonefish permit and Tarpon in Cayo Romano...there used to be a guy organizing bonefishing for about $100 a day just inside a Military camp ( we had to bung the guard on the gate 4 packets of Marlboro to get in and I can honestly say it was the best chance I have had for a grand slam....the bonefish were easy and I jumped two tarpon...the permit however were another matter ( they usually are ! ). Here's the story : We were morred up in the middle of a channel in the mangrove swamps and the guide spotted a shoal of about 40 permit coming straight at us.. " change fly to crab pattern" he whispered under his breath..I had all the time in the world as they were 100 yards away and feeding quite slowly " They coming" he said " you see? " I amswered in the affirmative "they coming " he said again..." short line" This is going to be like shelling peas I thought and cast a 20 yard line toward the on coming shoal "wait" came the instruction, and I did for what seemed like an eternity, presently the first fish in the shoal swam above my fly.. " OK twitch the fly very slow " the guide suggested I twitched about an inch "no...more twitch " I twitched the crab pattern two inches at which the entire shoal errupted and were last seen heading to Florida. Then we couldn't get the engine on the skiff started and had to walk back to base. David...just go, Cuba is brilliant even if you cant get any fishing ! Dont take the wife though...big mistake.
Troll the net to see if you can find a guide in Romano but your best bet is to turn up and ask about Sabalo ( tarpon ) and macabe ( bonefish) whilst swishing your right hand in the air...it worked for me ! Cheers Mick
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Post by andyscott on Nov 30, 2005 4:32:01 GMT -5
The following is a post from the FAOL board which i posted in March;
Hi Guys, Just back from Cayo Coco, two weeks of paradise with fly-rod! I had two days offshore fishing booked, but cancelled the second day after the disaster of day 1! The winds were up about 15 knots, and the skipper of the boat wouldn't take us outside the reef... cost us $350 to have one strike, a 'cuda of 2-3 pounds. All the boats wanted to do was take your money, so day two was cancelled. I asked at the poolside bar if there was anyone local who could take me bonefishing... the following morning, Juanito Araguez, a guide with Havanatur was waiting for me at breakfast. A day was planned for bones at Cayo Paredon, cost;130 pesos. The following morning, Juan was waiting with a taxi to take us to the boat. On arrival at Paredon, i was introduced to Orlando the boatman/guide, given a brief on what awaited us, tackled up over a beer.... and set off! After 10 minutes or so, we saw about 40 tarpon rolling on the surface, so we cut the engine and cast over them. I rose one of about 100-120 pounds to a popper, which ran 200 metres, leapt 3 times and threw the fly 20 feet into the air! What a start! Twenty minutes later, we arrived at the flats. With both guide 100 metres either side, we walked up a shoal of around 300 schoolie bonefish. I had one of around 3 pounds, which took 80 metres of backing on the first run. When we found the fish again, on my second cast 30 metres square of water surface exploded in front of me as a 4 ft long 'cuda chased into them... all 10 metres in front of me! The shoal split into two... one made off for the deeper water, the other moved a few hundred yards then started feeding again. I walked them up, cast to the edge of them and hooked my second of the day.... 120 metres of backing flew off the reel before i could yell to Juan that i had a strike. ten minutes later, a six and a half pounder came to hand. The tide had receded by then, so we set off to troll a fly for cuda in the deeper water, on the way home. About ten minutes into this, i struck a cuda of around ten pounds... all great fun on a #7 weight. When we got back to base, our taxi awaited us... so, with a cold beer in hand, we set off for the hotel. All in all, a very satisfying day for a lot less money than other places charge. I had one further day with Juanito. It was a full moon the previous night, so the bonefish were feeding by the moon and there were few on the flats. Both guides done everything they could to find fish.... we only spotted a dozen or so, but all bigger than we'd seen previously. I skunked.... but still came home smiling, the guides had done their best, i had cast to bones of around 10 pounds, but they had ignored the tan/pearl gotcha... their bellies full from the previous night, i guess! All other fishing i done was on my own, cost 50 pesos return for a taxi to Cayo Paredon, plus tip. I spent many a happy hour on the flats there, catching a few and missing even more! If i had taken the spinning gear, i could have fished the north shore for tarpon. They grow big there! A friend hooked one at dusk, which took 400 metres of line as it headed to Florida, before everything went 'ping' They are just too far out to wade and fly-cast to. February is really the beginning of the season in Cuba... the fishing really hots up in May-July. Tarpon abound, bonefish a-plenty, permit make their appearance, sailfish are in! Next time, I go later in the year. Andy
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Post by bloke on Nov 30, 2005 7:44:32 GMT -5
Andy Do you have any contact details by any chance ? Mick
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Post by SalmoTrutta on Nov 30, 2005 8:28:17 GMT -5
I fished with go fishing worldwide this year at Cayo Largo www.gofishingworldwide.co.uk/saltwater_cuba_index.htmThe hotel we resided at was Club Sol which was very nice, fully inclusive, and 5 min from the fishing. The fishing is run by the Casa Batida Club managed by an Italian. Lots of bones and good chance of a grand slam. Very proffessional outfit.
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Post by bloke on Nov 30, 2005 9:06:36 GMT -5
I have been fshing with fabrizzio at Casa Batida for several years now...great operation. Back again in July..cant wait Mick
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Post by andyscott on Dec 1, 2005 8:33:43 GMT -5
I go with First Choice, 5* all-inclusive @ the Melia Cayo Coco... two weeks for £1000, and organise the fishing when i arrive. This gives me more flexibility, and i don't lose any deposits through poor weather. The only contact i had with Juanito, is on arrival at the hotel I ask the reception to contact him (although a few of the poolside bar-staff are his buddies, and can also contact him.) There is a fishing guide working from Cayo Guillermo, also called Orlando, who the receptionist will try to put you in touch with. Don't.... he does not have much interest in your catching fish, just interested in $$$s. Ask specifically for Juanito Araguez, and he'll be there the following day. Sorry i can't help further with contact details
Andy
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Post by Chris on Dec 1, 2005 8:35:04 GMT -5
Mick and his wife Anna seemed VERY excited last night while we were browsing teletext and he found the deals you can get to Cuba at the moment
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Post by 3lbgrayling on Dec 1, 2005 13:15:02 GMT -5
went birdwatching 2 years ago great holiday great place.but i never took my rod, big mistake .at night after everybody was off the beach you could see the fish crusing the shallows.i will never ever go on holiday without some fly tackle.NEVER. JIM
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Post by yarranton on Dec 2, 2005 16:50:09 GMT -5
Cant reccomend Cayop Largo enough. Great resort, suitable for non fishing partners, and really sexy fishing. Had 4 grand slam chances on my first trip but couldnt get the Permit, but they are there in good numbers. plenty of Tarpon and Jacks as well as a stack of really good bones
Contact Sean Clarke at Go fishing worldwide in Chiswick London. He is the best one to speak to when the chap is in the UK.
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Post by davidarmes on Dec 3, 2005 16:17:52 GMT -5
are there any [packaged tour ]operators offing 7 nights in sol hotel cayo largo
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Post by davidarmes on Dec 3, 2005 17:44:07 GMT -5
ANYONE KNOW OF ANY CHARTER FLIGHTS DIRECT TO FROM UK TO CAYO LARGO ??
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Post by davidarmes on Dec 3, 2005 19:12:38 GMT -5
re www.cubamania.com/cuba/showthread.php?t=15214Just got back from Cayo Coca and spent 3 days bonefishing. Went out with a guide named Juanito the first day and hooked 3 nice bones on crazy charlies. Went a second time with The Ranchon and boated around alot but got 5 really nice bonefish again crazy charlies seem to be the fly of choice. The third time I walked by myself past the Melia to a large flat about 1km east of the resort and spent my last afternoon. I saw 5 bonefish and got to cast at a couple but no hook up's, still a very enjoyable afternoon. Juanito can be found in the lobby of the Melia or the Sol most mornings and The Ranchon can be contacted thru a Cubanacan office. Hope this helps. Mikey
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Post by SalmoTrutta on Dec 5, 2005 8:44:50 GMT -5
There are only 2 charter flights to Cayo Largo - one from Canada and the other Italy. Virgin now fly direct to Havana and so you only have the short (irritating!) flight from there to the island. I believe the hotel can be booked direct. Go fishing worldwide do non-fishing packages residing at Hotel Sol.
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Post by bloke on Dec 5, 2005 11:30:42 GMT -5
I too waded these flats and covered loads of fish....then worked out they were mullet and you know what fly fishing for mullet is all about !
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