Inflatable Kayak?

[tinpusher]

Recently I have been looking at inflatable kayaks for fishing the rivers and lakes around home. They only weigh 50 lbs and pack up into a suitcase size bag. The idea of taking it down to Cuba came to me today. I have heard that the fishing guides in Cayo Coco are nothing more than water taxis and do not provide fly fishing advice. If that is the case a cab ride to the flats with my kayak and air pump would be just as good, plus we would save $100+ a day. I was looking at a list of things that are not allowed in Cuba and I did not see kayak. Is this a good plan or are there problems that I don't know of associated with this idea? What flats would now be accesible that a wader could not reach?

Thanks
Doug

[cubafish]

Great idea, but I have serious doubts the Adunda would allow you to, in their eyes "smuggle a small boat" into Cuba. I can see you lugging that heavy bag towards Customs and the Adunda saying "hey senior, what you got in that heavy bag that I should look at?" My guess is that they would relieve you of the kayak and return it to you upon your departure from Cuba - but the only way to find to would be to try. At 50 lbs plus, you're going to be overweight, although the overweight charge would be cheaper that hiring a guide for a day.

As far as reaching previously unreachable flats I think you could probably do that but I see several things in addition a paddle to prepare for:

1. Will your paddle break down small enough to fit in your luggage? - mine won't.
2. A patch kit - what if you get out there & spring a leak?
3. In re #1, you would also need to carry your air pump with you.
4. You'll need a length of 1/8" braided anchor line & small anchor.

[tinpusher]

The more I read about Cuba the more I want to and at the same time don't want to go. Does that make any sense.

[Wade]

Not sure about bringing the kayak in but people do travel with the collapsible kayaks at no extra charge - you should check with the Cuba Tourist Board - http://www.gocuba.ca/

"I have heard that the fishing guides in Cayo Coco are nothing more than water taxis and do not provide fly fishing advice."

Where did you "hear" that? LOL

You're going there to have fun, right? Spend some CUCs for a guide for bonefish, barracuda, etc. on the flats - they know where they are and when. You won't find better-priced guide service than in Cuba.

[jackd]

The more I read about Cuba the more I want to and at the same time don't want to go. Does that make any sense.

It sure does, Cuba's an adventure in every sense of the word, go and enjoy it.

[tinpusher]

If my only concern is that it will be detained at customs until I fly out I can probably live with that. If however it might end up as a backyard kiddie pool for Fidel's grandkids I may not want to risk it.

Wade, I cannot remember where I read that they are not much in the way of fishing guides but I am going for 2 weeks and at $100 USD + per day I am looking for ways to save a few dollars.

Thanks
Doug

[jackd]

Not sure about bringing the kayak in but people do travel with the collapsible kayaks at no extra charge .

It will be considered as a piece of checked luggage, your rod case then becomes a piece of luggage that you will be charged for by the airline, it's never as simple as it looks, I was hooked for $60 by AC for my rod case because it was considered an extra piece of checked luggage :( .

[Wade]

Jackd,

I brought my rod case - called a "Bazuka" if you can believe - to Cuba a couple of years ago - no charge. I think they allowed two pieces of checked luggage and I only had one suitcase. Did you have more?

[jackd]

Yup, had my suitcase and dive bag that had tackle and other fishing diving stuff in it, the rod case became a third piece of luggage.

A tackle box is considered a piece of luggage :rolleyes:

Best way to go is with collapsible everything that you can fit in your suitcase or second checked bag

Es La Vida

[tinpusher]

I have 4 peice fly rods that fit in my carry on bag. I will take them out of the metal rod tube and put them in a cardboard poster tube. Was also going to take my reels in carryon so if Air canada does what Air canada is so good at and loses my bags atleast I can fish. Then it occured to me I would not have any flies as I cannot see airport security allowing fish hooks to be carried on if nail clippers are not even allowed.

[mellisas]

fish hooks could be made into quite a deadly weapon... :D

[jackd]

especially if your a fish :rolleyes:

[cubafish]

Yes to all of the above. Fish hooks are frequently not allowed in your carry on, so I would pack anything with a hook in my checked luggage if it were me. I have been with fly anglers and seen them cry as security confiscated their flies (was too late to go back & check um). But I have also seen security people look at bonefish flies and laugh as they showed them to a co-worker saying "these are'nt big enough to hurt anything" and then let the flies pass through. Little did they know what they could do to a bonefish, eh?

Fly rods in an aluminum tube are sure to be refused as a carry on because they can be used effectively as a baseball bat (even if the aluminum tube is covered with canvas, it's a no no), but I've seen most plastic rod tubes get the OK to carry on. Reels used to be verboten as they contained line that could be used to tie up passengers but most airlines today will let you take reels on, although I had a friend who went to Belize a couple of months ago and as he was flying back to the states carrying his reels they required him to strip ALL of the line off of his reels.

Moral of the story: while there is a uniform carry on policy in the USA, there is no uniform carry on policy outside of the US, and uniform policy or not, in the US or elsewhere, there is no uniform policy for anglers carrying on rods, reels & hooks.

[DavidB]

A few things about some of the comments on this thread.

Carry on fishing stuff. We've had customers who have been lucky and others not. So if your trying to carry on reels or rods I'd say your chances are 50/50 at best, less for rods, from everyone I talk with. It's a MAJOR hassel to have to go back and check things if they are not allowed as carry on. I know from experience!

As for the inflatable kayak we've also had customers take these down to Cayo Coco. They had some success with them but also got the "boots" from the army as well so you can decide....

As for the guides on Coco. I have become very good friends with several of them and they may not be the most sophisticated guides from the fishing side of things but I have never run accross a harder working group of people in any place I have been to. They want nothing more than to help you enjoy their country and will poll the boat until their arms fall off trying to get something for you. All I can say is take advantage of their knowledge while you can. They are the worth it!

David

[tinpusher]

I think the kayak will wait for another trip to another country. Dave I will take your advice and go with the local guides.