Cayo Coco Guides

[lars p]

Hi .
I`m going to Cayo Coco 15.january and stay at The Tryp hotell . Is there any guides with boat for hire down there ??
And if yes , what`s the price ??

Any information on other good guides er welcome too .

Is there any good flat nearby the hotell ?? or places for baby tarpon ??


Best regards
Lars P

[Wozzer]

Juanito is your man.

Ask for him at the hotel.

[lars p]

Juanito is your man.

Ask for him at the hotel.

boat or not ??

[marktheshark]

Hi Lars
Boats are available from the Paredon operation on the next island, or from the marina in Cayo Guillermo. If you book through Thomas Cook, their rep offers an excursion called the Cuban Dream for, I think, 180 CUC; for that you get a skiff and skipper all day (but no tackle) ... what you do is up to you. I spent some time on the flats in the morning, then trolled lures offshore after lunch. It's a good trip, so long as you have your own gear. If you're not with T Cook, try asking the reps anyway, as the excursions seem to be available to everyone.
There's not much DIY fishing around the hotel zone in Coco; at the eastern end of the beach, past the Melia and the palapa restaurant, and a couple of miles beyond, is a small flat with some bones and a few permit in summer, but it's quite a walk. There's a small mangrove creek running in front of the Sol that looks like it might hold baby tarpon, but I didn't see any, just small snapper. If you want tarpon you're better off looking at Guillermo.
Best guide is Juanito, who works from the Melia. He'll drive you towards Cayo Romano, then you wade the flats looking for bones.
Good luck, us know how things go, what works, what doesn't
Mark

[lars p]

Hi

Thanks a lot for your great advise, i'm travelling with Thomas Cook, so I'll be sure to try the boat. We are three guys travelling together, do you know if the boats take three persons?
I will post a report on my return from Cuba, and let you know how it went.

Lars

[marktheshark]

Hi Lars
The Cuba dream boat's a skiff, about 20ft I think, so 3 people can fit but it'll be tight if you're fishing from the boat, ie trolling, baitfishing. If you just want to fish the flats, you'll be wading so it'll be fine. Maybe have a word with the rep to ensure you get a bigger boat if you're worried.
Most of the charter boats out of Guillermo and Paredon are 28-32 foot cruisers so 3 will fit fine.
Mark

[Wozzer]

Just returned.

Juanito doesn't work for the company that runs the fly fishing for Bones.
Gutted.
Went out with Orlando but came across him by accident when trying to find out what happened to Juanito.

My rep at my hotel (Daquiri), his contact was Duniesky but struggled to get hold of him.


My rep was Thomas Cook and asked about dream boat tour but he didn't offer it and didn't know anything about it.

I went out deep sea fishing and caught a 30kilo Wahoo so it was great fun!

There are channels at the back of where I stayed with stories of baby tarpon and bones but all I saw was mullet which are impossibly frustrating!!!

No big fish from inshore at the moment but as the weather gets warmer, more should come in.

[marktheshark]

Hi Woz ... sounds like a mixed bag for you. To clarify earlier postings, the boat trip is, or was, called Fisherman's Dream and was on the 2007 T Cook list, so they've obviously changed that recently. Juanito works independently, mostly from the Melia Cayo Coco; and Jordan and Duniesky, when I spoke to them last April, worked from Parque Baga but were friends with Alex, the T Cook rep, and could be contacted via him.
If you can update us with fresh prices and options from the T Cook excursions listings it'd be useful. Also what you got the wahoo on.
Cheers
Mark

[Wozzer]

Hi Mark,

Everyone said Juanito wasn't working for the "company" that runs flats fishing and my TC rep said he wasn't even allowed on the island which I know you aren't if you not credited to be working.
I went to Melia Cayo Coco to find out about Juanito and bumped into Orlando.
He's a straight guy and said also that Juanito wasn't working with the company anymore.
Maybe if you could get someone not involved to contact him I don't know?
It's a case of gettting on the island and the pass to Paradon.

Orlando was a really good guide and seems a good guy and I would fish with him again no problem.

I liked Juanito as I'd fished with him so much and he was a great laugh.
As I said I went looking for him when I heard he wasn't guiding to find out if it was true.

Prices now seem to be 70cuc for guide 35cuc for cab each, and that was two of us.
(I went with a pro guide from Canada, a really really nice guy called Gordon from British Columbia) who had fished for years with Orlando and rated him highly.The cab at 70cuc total seemed a little much but this time I was coming from Guillermo.
If I remember it used to be 60cuc plus 20Cuc for cab when I fished with Juanito 18mths ago.

What was frustrating and nobodys fault was my Sage Bone line wasn't floating so when you get your one cast at the bone my resting line was underwater. So I missed a few fish. Orlando was hooking a few at the same time and passed me his rod so I landed 2. He then gave me his rod but as you know as the day goes on the fish start to disappear so I didn't get another.
I've only used the Sage line 3/4 times so there is a lesson.

I fished at Pilar Rocks, Cayo coco rocks and Melia pier but no nig fish are inshore yet. Sea still cold for Cuba. Hung out with the guys on the bridge which I enjoyed but they hadn't caught of note. Fished inthe marina op bridge in the evening but again no fishing coming in.
Caught a fantastic fish off pilar beach, a (pompinio???) mini permit with spines before its tail and fish in the Coco channel.

Tried the Daquiri channels and like the flats there are mullet everywhere distracting you as you think it could be bones tarpon. No luck but I don't think I was on fish just mullet. Saw 2 big mullet getting frisky in the coco channel so maybe its mating time.

The deep fishing was a TC trip and was 109 per person (4 on a boat) or your own boat for up to 4 fishing for 400.

I caught the Wahoo on a purple diving lure, not the fly LOL!!
Great day on the boat in the Sun, the crew were great, fished for Ballyhoo for bait at lunch which again was fun and lobster and wahoo for lunch with cold beer.

Why did I come home!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best,W.

[marktheshark]

Cheers for that Woz, I saw Juanito when I was there in April but a lot can change over a short time in Cuba I suppose. When I was there last I ran into a guy on the bridge who'd once been a fishing guide but was forced to stop and could only get construction work on the Cayos, which he did so that he could fish from the bridge with his amigos in the evenings. He tied me some brilliant traces for big livebaits ... works of art really.
Prices going up isn't that cool either. I'll just have to keep doing lots of DIY out there in spring. I do remember someone writing about the tarpon channels being pretty unfishable this time last year, but I hope it doesn't mean the tarpon have gone for good.
Thanks for the report; it's stuff like that which helps add to the knowledge every year. The wahoo must have given one hell of a fight. Nice fish.
All the best
Mark

[lars p]

Hi .
Back from Cuba and got a few fish .
Fished the flat east of melia the first day , used a taxi to get there and it cost 3 cuc . Was a little windy so it made spotting hard , but we spottet around 30 bones an one permit that day . I got a very small bone , maybe 1 ibs and a even smaller tarpon !!
we had all types of weather thes two weeks and the guides canselled many days so i only fished with guides two days , both days with Pastor hwo guides along with Orlando . the price was 70 cuc pr person(max 2) for 5 hour fishing and transport included(taxi) . if you wanted 2-3 hours more you have to pay 40 cuc more.

We fished the flats between the canoe sign ant the ligthouse on romano. ther was a wery good number of fish there and lot of them was big bones . Almost all the fish that we spotted came alone or in pairs .
The first day i only got one(around 3 ibs) and that was the smallest i spottet that day !
The next time we was out there my luck was better and i landed 3 good sice bones , the biggest around 5-6 ibs, and this fish had a first run on 125 meters, awsome !!
Pastor(the guide) told me that the fishing was very difficult when it was full moon , he said that Bonefish is feeding at nigth and almost dosen`t feed at daytime then..

I fished these flats alone later in my vacation and traveled there by taxi , price 20 cuc each way. sadly the condition wasen`t good . To much clouds and very vindy.
I had trouble to cast more than 15 meters even with a fast 8 weigth rod !!!!

I
also tryed fish the lagoon an the Crystal/serandor Hotel , but the securety guard kicked me out sevral times ! . Sad sinse i spotted som good sice Tarpon and Barracuda in that lagoon.

I will post some pictures here later , sadly pics from the best day is not good. My friend who tok pictures that day had set the camera on super macro....

[kubabound]

I will post some pictures here later , sadly pics from the best day is not good.

Post one of the bad ones... let me have a go at it. Maybe they can be salvaged.

john

[Wozzer]

Lars,

Did you have a problem getting on to Romano without a guide?

Thanks

[lars p]

Post one of the bad ones... let me have a go at it. Maybe they can be salvaged.

john

Will do , when i get the pictures from my friend .
Send your email on a PM , and i send you the orginal file

Lars,

Did you have a problem getting on to Romano without a guide?

Thanks

No problem at all. But i used taxi, maybe different rules if you arrive in a hired car or motorbike.

[lars p]

Here are some pics :
First some from the Flat near the Melia
http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive79/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/1002200814181z3Rg4rFUYo883Jw6o.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive79/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/100220081438hyEswFWew1Ti6eZiw9.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive79/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/100220081410dk3SC7rKWnemD1MvBu.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive79/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/1002200814426VPoSanLYksq1u17r2.jpg

My first Bone
http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive79/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/100220081423OGiYI3aXoxNBbJ2Yap.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive79/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/100220081451H2Eq9AL1JRHRSifdyA.jpg

Then some pics from some other flats and mangrove places :

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive79/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/100220081407zslTjyyIBrx5SjNcAN.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive79/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/100220081457FNH5sUtivuA2ILH6h9.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive79/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/100220081456rKP38v1lTLImNN9VvR.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive79/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/100220081456XWA847DCug7c19e6g6.jpg

[lars p]

more pics :
http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive79/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/100220081454KzJZpMx7hPsagUJtdY.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive79/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/100220081412TDLBRN9o37AfcsUkfo.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive79/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/10022008142922VFsiuAt1ncj43PcM.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive79/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/10022008145671fI4hPZAKZWuBBchW.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive79/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/100220081417Yb9r96I65EfXF4xv16.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive79/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/100220081415QvAM2SWmYyk29ZF4lt.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive79/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/100220081448atyWApJJcbBqnjS7zx.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive79/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/100220081415x1bQ18EXTviA4AxuQK.jpg

[waggerlad]

nice pics m8 thankyou regards

[sherry5851]

Even us non-fisher types can appreciate some beautiful pics. Thanks!

[Max S]

Nice pics Lars, looks like you got into some decent fish. Really like the sub surface shots.

..Max

[lars p]

Nice pics Lars, looks like you got into some decent fish. Really like the sub surface shots.

..Max

Thanks. Used a Olympus sw 770 camera , recomend it to all who takes pics near or in the water . It`s waterproof down to 3 meters(10ft)

[Wozzer]

Lars,

What's the correct name for the yellow fish with the vertical stripes?

Do you know?

Can't seem to find out despite catching quite a few when I was last in Cuba!

[bag up bri]

Hi wozzer , The Sergeant Major or píntano (Abudefduf saxatilis, family Pomacentridae (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomacentridae)) is a large, colourful damselfish (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damselfish). It earns its name from its brightly striped sides, which are reminiscent of the insignia of a military Sergeant Major (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergeant_Major). It grows to a length of about 15cm (6 inches).
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/Sergeant_major_school.jpg/200px-Sergeant_major_school.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sergeant_major_school.jpg) http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sergeant_major_school.jpg)
A school of sergeant majors


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fe/School_of_Sergeant_Major_fish-2007-08-06.JPG/200px-School_of_Sergeant_Major_fish-2007-08-06.JPG (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:School_of_Sergeant_Major_fish-2007-08-06.JPG) http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:School_of_Sergeant_Major_fish-2007-08-06.JPG)
Another school of sergeant majors


The fish feed upon the larvae (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larva) of invertebrates (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invertebrate), zooplankton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zooplankton), smaller fish, crustaceans (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crustacean) and various species of algae (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algae). They are preyed upon by some members of the Labridae (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labridae) and Serranidae (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serranidae) families. They lay their eggs in patches on a firm substrate and guard them vigorously until they hatch.
Sergeant majors are found throughout the tropical (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical) reaches of the Atlantic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic), including off the south coast of the United States (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States), Central America (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_America), eastern South America (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_America) and western Africa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africa). They are often found on coral reefs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_reef) at depths of between 1 and 12 meters.
They are popular aquarium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquarium) fish, although their aggressively territorial nature can pose problems if not closely watched.

Tight lines Bag up bri.

[Wozzer]

Thanks Bri!

I found the secret to catching them was to let them play with a hooked shrimp for around 5 mins until finally all the fish around it have calmed down and then one will take it and even then wait a minute until you strike.

It's still only hooked in the scissors!

They look too cute to use for bait!

[lars p]

Outside now it`s -10°C and some snow in the air .
I want to go back to Cuba , to this :
http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/2403200812367sHcDBzyexW6rqSg4r.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/2403200812484pcFO8dnOhE1lFm6W7.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/240320081259VfCqYxT4tC9jXyUVuP.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/240320081218AVqHE834gkOz9BNJTK.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/240320081225wrAUSgJV8TAoPk6EXv.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/240320081235jhRKydTNI4X17MhiZQ.jpg

This I dont miss, sunburnd after a day on the flat :
http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/240320081209cMdy6MxlGnI1RADSPD.jpg

[lars p]

More Pics :
http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/240320081202V25VX9dr8EZbJPDHiv.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/240320081212XSZkBb194NQnYwYJx4.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/240320081221SZVngmfbUKZLk5PNbK.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/240320081231gTmnBHiKMjqe4LJdya.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/240320081239FEua8Mp1v41XVzu3Te.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/240320081204ydM9JcNc6WFJgOCr9k.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/240320081342NAyuAAiqGI3ePRmIhd.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/2403200813337bibpBUX8nClaERyJM.jpg

[lars p]

Some more:
http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/2403200812303wppZBODX1LU5P3i7V.jpg



http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/2403200813518ezSgm86USCW8B5dpw.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/240320081209L15cpbGgw8zfDqmYwf.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/2403200812191fHw2xwgFtpRfzhrI4.jpg

Some pics taken with my phone :
My flies
http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/240320081202ryWkIpRjRpay8TtQP3.jpg

cool cab
http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/240320081232ZUOuTVreBsF1LdEATu.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/240320081242tR7xZw7O2pe92HVWcy.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/240320081212Jz26rr6rVKf7OQCnIo.jpg

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive85/010920040855JRu6ShyArM6fL8YVzN/medium/240320081222zbLnd4DqrTSEb825pg.jpg