JonnyLaRue Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LastBoyScout Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Great report sounds like you had a blast, thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbowtrout Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Lucky Bastard!!!!!!! Pic two is awesome LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonvilly Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBBrownie Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Photo number 2 is incredible, huge fan of flyin fish shots! Looks like a great trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveM Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawgstoppah Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 pic 2 ... lol... great shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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