fishing on the way from Haban to Holguin:help?

[Jan_Oor]

My wife and I will be travelling slowwly from Habana to Halguin, tot enjoy the country. I'm a flyfisherman, with saltwater experience, never fished for bass though. During our 3 week trip we would like to spend 3-4 days fishing for bonefish, permit or tarpon and when we come across a great basslake I won't mind to drop a line there too.
Any suggestions for places to go and guides to rent?

Thnx for your help

Jan (holland)

[mellisas]

welcome jan.
embalse hanabanilla is said to be a great place to fish for bass.
it is near santa clara.

[beardo]

The area around Morón, Ciego de Avila province, is known for its fishing - for example Laguna Redonda on the road to Cayo Coco.

[cubafish]

Good advice from both of the above Posters. Embalse (lake) Hanabanilla is particularily beautiful, but be advised I fish both of the areas mentioned a lot and by the time your trip is over you will be very disappointed in the fishing in Cuba. :(

[mellisas]

did,nt catch much cubafish.?
but l bet you had fun trying :)

[cubafish]

:o <- I know you like the little smilie things, so here goes ::)

It's not that I didn't catch much as catching fish is my business :P, but you don't catch many fish in Cuba because the Cubans, out of necessity have already caught and eaten most of their fresh and saltwater fish :'( including those in Lake Hanabanilla and Laguna Redonda :-/ (although fish can still be caught at both locations ;) ). Prior to the Ruskies departure, the fishing in Cuba's lakes, rivers and saltwaters was world class 8) with many Americans salivating to go there to fish. What many of these Americans and the rest of the angling world does knot know is that after the Ruskies pulled out in 1991, "out of necessity the Cubans had to catch and eat most of their fresh and saltwater fish." There are still a few areas where the fishing is OK, but these areas are few and far between and the average tourist will never get to them. Sad but true. :-[

[Jan_Oor]

Hey guys thnx for the help sofar.
Bonefish and Tarpon are regarded uneadible. Are they still around? Can I find any of those in Zapata's. If so which village should we go to? ;D

[cubafish]

You have a misconception about bonefish and tarpon being unedible. Yes, first world countries consider them unedible. But third world countries (ie. Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Cuba, etc.) eat almost everything they catch including tons of bonefish and tarpon. Cuba for example has devistated their bonefish and tarpon populations for food fish - even in the Zapata Park that is supposedly a protected area.

Yes, they (bonefish and tarpon) are still around but in greatly reduced numbers than they were prior to 1991. In the Zapata Swamp you will find small bonefish and small tarpon. Your destination should be the Rio Hatiguanico (<- my recommendation as your wife will like the boat ride on the Rio more than ->), or Playa Larga to the southeast of the Rio. Guides are available at both locations.

If you do not already have one, get the Lonely Planet or Moon guidebooks (or both) on Cuba as you will find them invaluable in assisting you on your trip.

[Jan_Oor]

thank you very much.

I will reduce my expectations and will try to catch a few small ones in Zapata's

[smiley=2thumbsup.gif]

[mellisas]

yes the old saying"there's plenty more fish in the sea'is a bit dated now. ::)

[jackd]

M, I thought that saying had to do with finding a lady/boy friend and when it don't work "there's plenty more fish in the sea" ;D

[mellisas]

::) ::) ::) ::) ::)l was just being silly [smiley=bow.gif]

[jackd]

Not so silly, works for fish too ;D