Cayo Coco May 14-28

[tinpusher]

Myself and another die hard fly fisherman will be there for 2 weeks. It would be nice to meet others at the bar in the evening to swap fishing stories and strategies. Let me know if you will be down.

[grichf]

Where are you staying?

[tinpusher]

Trypp

[tinpusher]

I am back and had a great time. Kubanita has talked me into starting a new dedicated fishing report thread and I have started posting my adventures there. Please see "Cuban Fishing Reports (Please Read Rules Before Posting)" http://www.cubamania.com/cuba/showthread.php?t=13783

[Kubanita]

nice reports tinpusher ...

... one thing i was wondering about the permit ... is whether or not there is opportunity for the fishing guides to supply live crabs so the hits are a pretty well sure catch ... did they offer any bait at all ... :confused:

[Kubanita]

I am back and had a great time. Kubanita has talked me into starting a new dedicated fishing report thread and I have started posting my adventures there. Please see "Cuban Fishing Reports (Please Read Rules Before Posting)" http://www.cubamania.com/cuba/showthread.php?t=13783

... it wasn't hard to do as it was his idea to begin with ... and a very good idea if i might add ... :laugh3:

[tinpusher]

I was told by other anglers that if you ask to target Permit the guides will take you to different flats that are slightly deeper. These flats do not offer the same opportunity for bonefish and being our first trip we were happy sticking with bones. When I get around to posting all six reports you will see that we only saw 2 Permit. I don't want that fact to discourage anyone who was hoping to target that species as Cayo Coco would be a good choice for any angler searching for these fish. As far as crabs or any other bait I do not know if the guides could supply them or not. I know that they guide gear fishermen as well as fly chuckers. We saw plenty of crabs when wading the shallow flats but if you want to catch them I suggest you bring a net as they are fast.

[Kubanita]

thanks Doug ... if the live crabs were tiny enough ... could you fly fish with them?

... would you say that nets would be a good thing to bring along as gifts for these guides tinpusher ... if so ... what kind?

... what other kinds of equipment would you say a Cuban person that fishes would like but have trouble finding in Cuba?

i have seen some guys with spearguns fishing off of the coral down the beach from trypp ... ancient looking tube ... probably spring-loaded with a spear and rope ... did you get a chance to walk to the end of the beach, left of tryp hotel?

sorry for all of the questions ... i'm leaving in three weeks and getting pretty excited about my first fishing experience there ... :dizzy2:

[tinpusher]

Sorry Kubanita but you cannot flycast a live crab. Cannot say if the guides could use the nets as I do not know if they catch bait for the customers. As far as things the guides and local fishermen could use, just about anything. Hooks are like gold down there along with 30lb monofilament. Next time I go I am going to the Salvation Army first and buy some old rods and reels to take down. We did not walk to the left (west) at all. We did walk the other way past the last of the hotels and about 500m past the last resort we found what looked like a very fishable flat. However we did not give it a try as 6 full days on the water was enough. Ask as many questions as you want as I am happy to help with whatever advice you need. I will make sure I post some photos and the rest of the reports asap.

[Kubanita]

Sorry Kubanita but you cannot flycast a live crab. Cannot say if the guides could use the nets as I do not know if they catch bait for the customers. As far as things the guides and local fishermen could use, just about anything. Hooks are like gold down there along with 30lb monofilament. Next time I go I am going to the Salvation Army first and buy some old rods and reels to take down. We did not walk to the left (west) at all. We did walk the other way past the last of the hotels and about 500m past the last resort we found what looked like a very fishable flat. However we did not give it a try as 6 full days on the water was enough. Ask as many questions as you want as I am happy to help with whatever advice you need. I will make sure I post some photos and the rest of the reports asap.

... guess it is pretty obvious that i have never fly fished before eh :o ... always admired the graceful dance of the flycast line ... will try it one day ...

i am trying to talk my brother into letting me bring my 14 year old niece with us at the end of the month ... with her fly-tying kit ... perhaps she can teach and learn from the fishermen there ... name one fly that she would be best to know before she goes tinpusher ... she can bring that one with her to teach the local fishermen ... a wonderful source of income for them ...

Great idea about the Salvation Army tinpusher!!!!!

[tinpusher]

The one best fly is easy, Crazy Charlie. As far as teaching Cubans so they can make some pesos there is one big obstacle. Hooks and the materials to tie flies are non-existent down there. You would have to supply and resupply them with everything. As far as selling them in Cayo Coco that could be a problem also. We never came across anyone flyfishing other than the two other groups we met at the Ranchon. Those who were flyfishing were well prepared already. It is well known to anglers heading down that if you might need something you better bring it with you as nothing is available in Cuba.

[Kubanita]

er ... sorry about that ... photo was too large ... reposting with a smaller photo ...

i sent off a note to my niece to see if she knows of it ... waiting to hear back ...

is it this one?

http://store1.yimg.com/I/yagers_1847_119505

[Kubanita]

Notes: We met a couple from Calgary on Monday (2 days ago)who were booked for 4 days of fishing. They were not here today and apparently cancelled the rest of their fishing days because the mosquitos were too bad??????????? May I suggest the 5 star Hilton in Hawaii ,a VCR with fishing videos and a martini by your Lazy Boy recliner. Don't forget the remote as you may have to fastforward through those pesky commercials. The bugs are bad from the guide shack to the marina (200 yds) but once you run away from shore they all but disappear. Pick flats away from mangroves if you are really bothered by them. In all fairness this couple came for Tarpon and they probably soon discovered that this is not a Tarpon destination. We saw them roll everyday in the "Hole" a mile south of the marina but these fish are next to impossible to target with a fly rod. Their rises are to sporadic and too spread out to form any predictable pattern. I should mention that the guiding company is very accomodating when it comes to cancelling. If you do not go fishing for whatever reason, be it mosquitos or bad weather, you are not commited to paying for the day. Try that anywhere else in the world and you will be laughed at by the guide as your Visa is being charged.

Found bonefish in tight to mangroves in the morning. Managed one hook up before being driven from shore by mosquitos. My friend hooked a baracuda on a popper while I video taped the whole thing. Makes for a great show as cuda missed the popper a half dozen times before finally getting hooked. Wind picked up and it was impossible to spot fish until it was too late and they were so close they spooked. Rough ride back to marina with rods and bodies getting beaten up. Broke tip off my 8 wt. and I am glad I have 2 rods with me. Total for the day 1 B.F.

Discussion Link: http://www.cubamania.com/cuba/showt...77801#post77801


had trouble clicking on the link to get to this thread ... not sure why ... :/

anyways ... NO FAIRNESS ALLOWED!!! ... all is fair in love and fishin'! :)

... you would think coming from a place like Calgary would toughen up their skin enough to survive a swarm of skeeters or two ... even the likes of the ones there in the keys ... devils they are ;)

[tinpusher]

Thanks, links have been fixed.