Fishing in Cuba with Roxtons

Cayo Largo is located in the 'Canarreos' archipelago, on the south western coast of Cuba. 17 miles in length and surrounded by white sandy beaches, this is a superlative place for fishermen to enjoy some of the best saltwater fishing in Cuba and possibly the Caribbean while being able to bring non-fishing guests or families.

The average size of the bonefish are 5lbs, caught while poling or wading on vast stretches of firm sand flats. Permit are abundant here and live up to their reputation of being the most frustrating fish on the flats. Tarpon are ever present and are found in the mangroves or reef along with many other pelagic species.

The Sol Cayo Largo all-inclusive hotel affords comfortable accommodation with myriad activities to keep both the fisherman and non-fishers happy and entertained.

A Natural Park offering 27,000 square kilometres of fishable water with an average temperature of 26°C, Cayo Largo is the ideal environment for fly-fishing for bonefish, tarpon, permit, snook and reef species. The south side of Cayo Largo is protected by a coral barrier reef and with its white sand beaches and majority of firm bottomed sand flats, it is perfect for wading.

Bonefish are the most abundant species on the flat, averaging 5lbs in weight but often bigger fish are caught, especially during the winter months. While wading the vast stretches of firm sand flats in warm waters, there is nothing more exciting than stalking and catching a tailing bonefish.

Tarpon rate as the strongest, most acrobatic and exciting saltwater species you can catch on the fly. There are a large number of resident tarpon ranging in size from 15 to 30lbs and from April to August the migratory fish arrive in large numbers and have been spotted and caught approaching the 120lbs mark.

The permit in Cayo Largo live up to their reputation of being the most frustrating fish of the flats. They usually travel in schools of up to about ten but the larger permit tend to be more solitary, feeding alone or in pairs.

Lots of skill and patience is required when permit fishing but a fair number of Grand Slams have been achieved in Cayo Largo so it is definitely worth spending a day or two having a shot at these pernickety fish.

The reef offers fantastic fishing for barracuda, snappers, grouper, Cubera snapper and jack crevalle.

The Hotel Sol Cayo Largo is an all-inclusive resort and is located on Cayo Largo del Sur, on the southwestern coast of Cuba and surrounded by fine white sandy beaches.

The resort is 5 minutes away from the international airport and main fishing marina. It offers comfortable twin, double or single rooms with a terrace or balcony and full en-suite bathrooms. All rooms are air-conditioned and come complete with a tv, telephone, safety deposit box, fridge and plenty of storage space.

The hotel provides an array of services and activities and is located on a stunning beach. There are three restaurants to choose from, one is situated on the edge of the beach where you can have lunch or dinner while watching the sunset. There is a large swimming pool with swim up bar, two floodlit tennis courts, gym and fitness room and a small spa offering massages and a range of treatments.

If you are taking a non-fishing guest or family then there are non-motorised waters sports on offer as well as a bus transfer to other beautiful beaches around the area. A dive centre is located in the nearby marina and can cater from the beginner to the experienced.

Rod and Reel
The ideal rod for bonefish is a 9ft 8 weight with a robust reel constructed from a non-corrosive metal such as aluminum with good smooth drag control. The reel should hold at least 150 yards of backing. You should ensure that you have a spare rod in case of breakage as well as a spare reel and spools in case of accidents. This tackle will also suit well to catching permit.
If you are going to be targeting tarpon these immensely powerful fish require a 9ft, 10 to 12 weight fly rod, outfitted with a good quality tarpon reel.

Lines
High visibility weight forward lines compensate for the ever-present trade winds and can be seen in the air or on the water in bright light. Take an extra fly line just in case the first suffers damage. For tarpon fishing and permit fishing you should also have an intermediate line as well.

Nylon
For bonefishing in Cuba leaders should be 12ft, tapered clear nylon with tippet between 10lbs to 14lbs. Ensure that you carry plenty with you. Most tackle stores stock excellent pre-tied bonefish leaders.

Flies
Below is a list of some of the flies we recommend:

Bonefish flies
- Tan and Pearl Shrimp
- Pop's Bonefish Bitters
- Pop's Egghead Bitters
- To-Dy-For (small unweighted shrimp pattern)
- Gotcha, Horror, baited Breath
- Crazy Charlies - white, pink, brown
- Raghead Crab
- Various small shrimp and crab patterns

Take a mixture of very light flies and medium weight flies with bead chain eyes to fish in water from six inches to two feet deep. Sizes should be mostly #6's with a few #4's and a few smaller #8's.

Permit Flies
- Del Brown's Permit Crab
- Raghead Crab
- McCrab
- Various other crab tan and beige patterns in sizes 1/0 down to #4. Smaller permit crabs are also ideal for bonefish.

Tarpon Flies
- Apte style tarpon flies
- Brown Cockroach, black & purple, orange & black, red & black
- White/grizzly Cockroach Deceiver
- Orange/yellow/grizzly
- Dark colours tend to be better in the early morning and brighter colours work best when it is bright

The list is endless and will depend to a large extent on the kind of flat you are fishing, its background colour and depth.

Other Items
- Lightweight long sleeved shirts
- Lightweight long trousers/shorts
- Wide brimmed hat
- Wading shoes with socks
- Lightweight sweater or fleece
- Lightweight rain jacket
- Polarised glasses
- Sun screen and lipsalve.

The city of Havana offers a great insight into the mixed colonial past of the island. 'Colonial decay' is the best way to describe it and a tour of the old quarter in either a horse-drawn carriage or on foot is a must. Cigars, chrome plated cars and the last vestiges of Castro's empire are experiences that should be at the top of any traveller's wish list.

World class scuba diving and snorkelling as well as non-motorised water sports, tennis, beach and pool activities.

Season
October until July
 

Time Difference from GMT
-5 hours

Electricity
Hotel Sol has both 220 and 110 volt 2 prong plugs so Europeans will need converters and an adapter.

Currency
The national currency is the Cuban Peso (pesos cubanos) however, all of your transactions will be in Convertible Pesos (CVP's). It is now illegal to use US$ Dollars in Cuba to purchase anything from bars and shops. You can only obtain CVP's in Cuba, the best place being at the exchange counter at the airport or from branches of CADECA (CASA DE CAMBIO) which are located in Havana and around the country. It is advisable to take UK Sterling or Euros to exchange as there is a penalty for exchanging US$. 1CVP is equal to US$1.

Tips
Whilst in Havana, you will find that the majority of hotels are all-inclusive and additional gratuities are at your discretion. As a guideline we recommend approximately 150 CVP's per person to the guide and 75 CVP's per person for the Marina staff. It is usual if you are fishing on your own to double the amount for your guide.

Visa Requirements
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your return home. A tourist visa is compulsory for entry to Cuba, this is available through Roxtons Worldwide. The visa is valid for 30 days from the date of arrival. You need to hand in your Tourist Card on check-in along with your tickets and passport. Whilst you are in Cuba you must retain the tear-off part of the Tourist Card given to you by customs as you will require this on departure from Cuba.

Medical Requirements
At present there are no mandatory vaccination requirements for those travelling to Cuba. However we recommend that you check with your doctor prior to departure to receive the most up to date health information.

Insect Situation
Whilst on the flats you are unlikely to encounter mosquitoes, however, when pursuing tarpon in the mangroves and around the hotel in the evening or on a still night you may find mosquitoes and we would advise that you carry insect repellents such as Jungle Formula.

Recommended Reading
- Fly fishing in Saltwater by Lefty Kreh
- Fishing the Flats by Lefty Kreh & Mark Sosin
- Bonefishing with the Fly by Randall Kaufman
- Fly fishing for Bonefish by Dick Brown
- Fly fishing the flats by Barry and Cathy Beck.