bass fishing in Santa Lucia

[reefslinger]

Hi guys/gals! I can't seem to find a lot of info on bass fishing in Cuba. My buddy and I are taking our ladies to Club Santa Lucia for a week. We are both avid bass tournament anglers here in Ontario, Canada and would love to spend a full day in search of a lunker. What is the best way to go about this? Are bass fishing guides easily obtained near Santa Lucia, or should I find a local with a boat? should we pack our own gear (i'd rather not, but will if neccessary) This is our first time visiting Cuba and when we found out the next world record bass would likely come from Cuba, we knew we had to do this! Please help, we leave in 5 days and I've been searching for a while and getting "squat" for info

[cubafish]

You have already found all of the information on bass fishing in the Santa Lucia area that you will find. As for whoever told you "the next world record bass will come from Cuba" - I can assure you that that person has no ideal what he is talking about (and if you believe what he said I have a bridge in London I can sell you cheap!), as bass fishing in Cuba is basically a waste of time unless you just want to say you did it.

There used to be excellent bass fishing in Cuba - as good or better than Florida, but that was prior to 1990 when the Russians pulled out leaving the Cuban people with no sugar daddy and more importantly, no food, as the Ruskies provided over 60% of the food Cubans ate. As a result and in order to survive the Cuban people turned to their lakes and to the surrounding ocean (as well as dogs and cats - I remember my first trip in 1994 when I was asked numerous times "is it true they don't eat dogs and cats in the USA?") and over the past 14 years they have caught or netted most of their bass and near shore fish species. Sorry to burst your bubble.

The Santa Lucia area. There are no freshwater lakes anywhere near Santa Lucia that I am aware of - maybe a couple of polluted farm ponds. If you want to fish while you are there plan on saltwater. "Should I find a local with a boat?" That's almost a joke as most of the boats are gone - already headed north to Florida, but you may find something with oars. Equipment: "should we pack our own gear?" You better if you want to fish as there is virtually no fishing equipment available in Cuba. If you want to fish, take everything you will need.

Sorry to be so negative, but you have a gross misconception of the fishing you think you are going to find in Cuba.

Questions?

[reefslinger]

Thanks for the heads-up. So, most salt water fishing is out of the question as well?

[cubafish]

Salt water, that for some strange reason appears as saltwater when you type it as one word.

No, I'd recommend taking a 8-10 lb spinning rod, a baitcaster, or 7-8 wt fly rod (with a weight forward floating line), whichever is your weapon of choice. There are small snapper, a few barracuda and some other miscellaneous in the area you are going to and it would be worth a shot. Check around the resort as someone there may have a suggestion about where to go. I have not been to the specific place where you are going but is on my short list of places to visit, although I have been nearby on one of many disappointing fishing trips to Cuba (I go 2-3 times/yr).

[reefslinger]

Thanks cubafish, what kind of lures should I bring, I've never salt water fishing before. Crankbaits/spinnerbaits/ spoons/inline spinners? or does livebait work the best?

[poco_pete]

Bass fishing is best in Ontario.... imo
quebec used to be good but is fished out
cuba is the same way but some fish can be caught, my experiences are east of where you want to go, however, water levels are down.

bring your own gear. Inland, black/blue & black/green spinners but I read people having success with flies.

I saw a bob izumi show and they were promoting good light tackle freshwater fishing in Venezuela....inside the river estuaries...about $1500 - 2000 for a week

[cubafish]

As Poco said, the fresh water bass lakes start 100 miles or so east of Havana and you are going to be +/- 100 miles west of Havana.

Lures. I don't recommend you take any of the lures mentioned by yourself or Poco as those are good bass lures, but not of much use in salt water. If I was limited to a few lures I would take (1)a half dozen 3/8 oz yellow bucktail jigs, (2)a couple of MirroLure "Top Dog" top water plugs in chartreuse or orange; (3)a couple of Zara Spooks (saltwater version) in the color of your choice; and (4)a couple of Bomber "Long A" shallow divers in holographic blue if you can find that color. I'd also take a 1/2 dozen or so 1/0 tinned hooks, a dozen 1/4 oz crimp on lead sinkers, a small spool of 20 lb leader material, and a pair of needle nose pliers. Don't know how much you know about saltwater fish, but many that you will encounter in Cuba will have (1)sharp needle like teeth, and (2)gill rakers which are razor blade like appendages on the outside of their gills - so handle all fish with caution. If you do not have access to any of the lures I mentioned, I will be glad to assist you in obtaining same; and if you find a local Cuban who helps you find fish I would leave all the fishing stuff you can with him as he has no access to what you have unless he gets it from you.

[reefslinger]

Thanks guys, my eyes are wide open now.

[SandyBeach]

eyes wide open :o Goo Goo Dolls! love that tune! :D

http://www.ciberpostales.com/img/e/tong.gif

I'm a fortunate son of a fortunate son
Living large on the wrong side of town
Too many friends and the fun never ends
Drinkin' and hangin' around


I wanna rule the world, wanna swallow it whole
At least I could kick it all down
I wanna kick it all down


Eyes wide open, I can't see
Eyes wide open, what you mean
Eyes wide open, I can't seem to be
My eyes wide open, I can't see
Eyes wide open, what you mean
Eyes wide open, I can't seem to be


I don't take the bus and I never walk too far
The furthest I got was my own backyard
With a fist full of cash that somebody else earned
Send me some more when it all got burned


I wanna take control, wanna make it all mine
At least I could kick it all down
I wanna' kick it all down


Eyes wide open, I can't see
Eyes wide open, what you mean
Eyes wide open, I can't seem to be
My eyes wide open, I can't see
Eyes wide open, what you mean
Eyes wide open, I can't seem to be


You never ever know
You never ever know
You never ever know
You never ever know


I'll get what I want if I make up my mind
I'm turnin' you inside out


I wanna rule the world, wanna swallow it whole
I think I'll just kick it all down.
I wanna kick it all down.


Eyes wide open, I can't see
Eyes wide open, what you mean
Eyes wide open, I can't seem to be
My eyes wide open, I can't see
Eyes wide open, what you mean
Eyes wide open, I can't seem to be
Eyes wide open (repeat and fade)

[cubafish]

I think Kubanita posted on the wrong BB. :o

[SandyBeach]

:o cubafish...surely fishermen and fisherwomen sing and dance as well ... we're talking Cuba here [smiley=laugh4.gif]

[mellisas]

[smiley=laugh4.gif] [smiley=laugh4.gif] [smiley=laugh4.gif] [smiley=laugh4.gif] [smiley=laugh4.gif] [smiley=laugh4.gif]too funny cubafish

but ya were polite [smiley=laugh4.gif] [smiley=laugh4.gif] [smiley=laugh4.gif] [smiley=laugh4.gif]

[cubafish]

Yea, I guess so. If it's slimy and smelly fishy, we like it. ;)

[mellisas]

sorry guys ...just using this thread for a bit of a test...
click on photo
http://sc.groups.msn.com/tn/A1/52/CubaManiacs/3c/475.jpg (http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RwAbAwEU4amzGL2OngHjgU15XOEn3J8mf56S79ULwHO9NDICx LT93yeuJjyGi61GX66szuaf5DxsRMUebf7ZFSpjbTQ74b3kDtr !HfCekAk/DSC00744.JPG?dc=4675476529961417811)

did it work amiga ???

[mellisas]

who is that absobloody fabulous looking guy in the photo... :o

[SandyBeach]

sorry...i was dreaming... :o and i think i still am :o

YOWZA YOWZA YOWZA :P


that does look like a fishing pole in his hand amiga ... quite appropriate for this thread me thinks... ::)

[cubafish]

Sorry, but was just reading some old Posts and clicked on the picture & zowie it grew real big. So who is "the fabulous looking guy in the photo" smoking a stogie and holding his rod ???

Well let's see, El Jefe smokes um, Hemingway smoked um too. Is it one of those heros' ???

[mellisas]

it's my hero... [smiley=smitten.gif]

[cubafish]

Hmmm, let's see * . * . * *. * *. * *El Jefe * *??? * *[smiley=love.gif] * *[smiley=help.gif]

[mellisas]

it's the bloke from the bush.. :D.

from the back of beyond :D

it's the best travel mate and dream catcher a girl could

ever have...and he puts up with me.. ::)


it's saint mel ;)

[cubafish]

Well, I should have known. ;) [smiley=wall.gif]

[jackd]

cubafish, I saw a guy banging his head against a wall like that, when I asked him why he did it, he replied "cause it feels good when I stop"

[mellisas]

mel does that sometimes...

now l know why l feel heaps better...

for a moment l thought it may have been something l said :D