Cuban Fishing

During this fishing I was fishing mostly without a guide or boat. I was wading the shallows, looking for fish and selecting the flies. I was able to land 12 fish species; some of them I have not caught before. General impression: the fishing pressure in Cuban coastal waters is high; most of the fish were small. The fishing is difficult; in many cases the success depends on the knowledge of necessary fly patterns and on presentation.

The bottom flies (crab and shrimp imitations) should match the bottom coloration. The contrast flies are often avoided by the fish. Small bright elements do not spoils the fly. The streamers should be matching the baitfish present in the area. On the other hand, various “fantasy” flies do not work. Tropical marine fish are not like salmon or char - they are often careful on what to eat.

Ernest Hemingway statue at the bridge across the strait Bonefish pod at the beach near the Cayo Guillermo Sercotel Club. At the sunset the hotel guests are sleeping, and it is possible to fish. Bonefish: in Cuba this fish is easier to see than in the Seychelles. May be in Cuba it is just bigger. Big barracuda in mid water: this is how the lens is showing it Diverse areas are the best for fish Selfmade needlefish fly with no hook - I have tied knots on tips of each thread The hookless fly is working! Normally I carry 2 rods - 9 and 12 weight From a Hobbycat it is possible to troll (I was using a big streamer on 12 wt rod) and to fish from an anchor Ballyhoo - Hemirhamphus brasilensis (in Spanish - escribano) Bar jack - Caranx ruber (in Spanish - cibí carbonero) Barracuda - Sphyraena baracuda Bonefish - Albula vulpes Grey snapper - Lutjanus griseus (in Spanish - caballerote) Common grunt - Haemulon sciurus (in Spanish - arará) King mackerel - Scomberomorus cavalla (in Spanish - sierra) Mutton snapper - Lutjanus analis (in Spanish - pargo criollo) Nassau grouper - Epinephelus striatus (in Spanish - cherna criolla) Hound needlefish - Tylosurus crocodilus Yellow jack - Caranx bartholomaei (in Spanish - cibí amarillo) Yellowtail snapper - Ocyurus chrysurus (in Spanish - rabirrubia)