Las Salinas, Cuba

[JonnyLaRue]

I had a few weeks of holidays to burn so I was looking for a place with warm weather, friendly people and great fishing. Cuba was recommended so I booked my flight to Veradero. I wanted to experience the real Cuba so I opted out on staying at the all inclusive resorts and hopped on the bus to the Western side of Cuba. I stayed in B&B for around $25/night called Casa Particulars and found this a great way to experience everyday Cuba.

 

I made my way down to Playa Larga located at the Bay of Pigs. The only buses that went there were tourist buses from the resorts so I negiotiated a cab ride from the town of Cenfreugos for 40 cucs which is around $40 cdn. My goal was to hook up with a local guide so I can go fish for some bones in Las Salinas. My cab driver dropped me off at a very nice Casa Particular located right on small bay used by local fisherman. I explained to the owners that I wish to stay for a few nights and that I was looking for a fishing guide. I was in luck as their next door neighbor Carlos was one of 10 guides in this area and out of the 10 only 6 guided for bones and he was one of them.

 

I thought hooking up with a local guide might be cheaper but they all work for the national park (gov't) and it's very difficult for them to sneak away on a private guide. It cost me $240/day for the guide plus $10 for the park permit and $20 for a hired jeep into Las Salinas. In my mind it was well worth the price. Las Salinas is a very beautiful place and not only is it a bone fishing paradise it's a birders paradise. Fishing among pink flamingo's was something else.

 

My guide Carlos was fantastic, he speaks great english and most off all he has a passion for fly fishing. I'm not the most advanced fly fisherman but Carlos had patience with me, he provided me with some good tips for casting that came in handy. I learnt alot from him and i'm very grateful for that.

 

January is not the best month for bones so I wasn't expecting to have an epic day. The day started off slow with only a few sightings of tailing bones. As we moved around we got into some nice size schools. Delivering a perfect presentation is key to hooking into bones as they spook very easily. My sloppy casting spooked many bones and I started to get frustrated. As the day progressed so did my casting; thanks to Carlos i was able to cast longer and cleaner. I finally hooked into my first bone but like many first timers I set the hook like i would for a trout and i snapped my leader. I finally managed to hook one the proper way and what a feeling, it brought me to my backing. I managed to land 6 bones and i lost around 6. For a newbie like myself I was very pleased with the results, even thou the fish were not huge they were plentiful. If I had more experience I had the potential to land many more. It's a great place for people looking for an introduction to bone fishing.

 

Below is Carlos contact information. As i mentioned he has a passion for fly fishing and i really enjoyed my time with him.

 

Juan Carlos Diaz

E-mail : pnacionalcz@enet.cu

Home: (01) 045987507

Cell: (01) 53689771

Best to call after 6pm or before 6 am

 

Good english speaking cab driver living in Playa Larga:

Mario (01) 52773126

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[LastBoyScout]

Great report sounds like you had a blast, thanks for sharing.

[bigbowtrout]

Lucky Bastard!!!!!!! Pic two is awesome LOL

[jasonvilly]

Nice pics, even better story. I experienced the same thing when I tried for bones in Hawaii. Presentation and casting is everything. A good guide/coach is needed.

[BBBrownie]

Photo number 2 is incredible, huge fan of flyin fish shots! Looks like a great trip.

[SteveM]

How is it that I didn't see this report 'til right now??? Eyesight must be failing in my old age, I reckon.

Good on ya for gettin' after it & catching some bones; bet it was a blast!

 

I think I spotted the problem with your casting: you're using the wrong hand, man!

 

[Hawgstoppah]

pic 2 ... lol... great shot