adc Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Cuba is a pretty cool place.....6 of us fished for 6 days.......I fished 3 days for bonefish and 3 for tarpon........Didn't land a tarpon until the last day.......Smoked a cigar to celebrate (I haven't had tobacco between my lips for almost 30 years!!).... The bonefishing was great........I caught 19 in total and every one showed me backing at least once.......I could have doubled that number if I hadn't been such a clutz on the secong day.......Couldn't cast worth stink and scared some fish that may be still travelling..........Most fish were caught wading in skinny water..........Fun! The tarpon were another story.......I had hooked a couple of tarpon (my first) last year in Belize which I had on for one jump each.......There is a knack to holding on to those fish.......I fished the river in Cuba the first day for tarpon and while we saw lots of good rollers I got skunked.....Second day for tarpon my guide took me out through the bonefish flats to an area he called "the channel"........We hunted for tarpon along the mangrove lagoons.......At the end of the day, 3 hooked, none landed.......The last day I fished the river again and by noon I was wet, cold and sans tarpon........We were fishing sinking gear and my arm was sore from chucking lead core, big flies and weight on a 10 wt. rod........Saw Clive at lunch an he had hooked 4 but hadn't yet landed the beast in his photo.......My guide then took me about a mile up a small feeder creek where there were lots of tarpon rolling.......I chucked the heavy gear (10 wt. with lead core and 8 weight with a sink tip) for about 15 minutes but nothing........Just for laughs I asked Manalo if poppers might work........He said "me no know but you try"......First cast and the fun was on.......Blurp the popper and try and keep your heart rate under control..........In 2-1/2 hours I hooked or raised over 40 fish..........Had 6-8 on for multiple jumps that were +20#...........Broke my 10 weight on a fish that sounded under the boat........I had him on for 3 jumps and I asked Manalo how we would get him in the boat........His answer "that tarpon not come in boat!!!).......He had him by the gills after I broke my rod but no picture..........I do have the memory however and the broken rod..........Thank God for gaurantees........Anyway, I had more fun in those 2-1/2 hours than should be allowed with your clothes on.......Will likely never have that experience again but will always have the memories....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toolman Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Great report adc and what a great fishing adventure... Thanks for posting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawgstoppah Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Tarpon AND bonefish in the same place... sounds like a sweet trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggp Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 Awesome post....thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheeler Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 Great story! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dryfly Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 Well it ain't THAT great after hearing it 73 times! Arrghh!!! The stewardesses heard it. The pilots heard it. He had it announced over the TO airport sound system. I heard it several times driving home the other night -- all different versions. Me on the other hand? Hardly a word from me. Did I tell you about the tarpon I caught? Lemme tell you once more.... GREAT work Allan! We should do that again. Clive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beedhead Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 Well it ain't THAT great after hearing it 73 times! Arrghh!!! The stewardesses heard it. The pilots heard it. He had it announced over the TO airport sound system. I heard it several times driving home the other night -- all different versions. Me on the other hand? Hardly a word from me. Did I tell you about the tarpon I caught? Lemme tell you once more.... GREAT work Allan! We should do that again. Clive Well in that case... Ill change things up...''Thats the worst post I have ever read''...LOL...( Kidding.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monger Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 Top water action, awesome. Got to love fish that can break rods! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hydropsyche Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Well it ain't THAT great after hearing it 73 times! Arrghh!!! Its the first time I heard it!! Now, what was I doing during that time? Oh ya. Nothing but a couple dozen stinkin trout. I wish I was you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reevesr1 Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Nothing in the whole world like big fish slammin' topwaters!! I've never caught a tarpon or a bonefish (not many opportunities in Texas or Louisiana), so you can't imagine how envious I am. Great job Al! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dryfly Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 "Nothing in the whole world like big fish slammin' topwaters!!" Agreed. Even small pike are a hoot when they are wired for surface flies. Lots of hollering an whooping. "Got to love fish that can break rods!" Now, normally we'd be right pissed at breaking a rod. You shoulda heard adc tell the story on the dock. Last Saturday, I was waiting for adc back at the put in place and was fairly pumped about my tarpon--small as it was. When he and his guide drifted up to the dock, I asked adc what was what, he just shook his head and started mumbling. It was too funny. He was like a kid in a candy store ... his eyes were wide and he was some pumped. That was one helluva day for both of us. I got the tarpon itch now. They are some magnificent critters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hydropsyche Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 I got the tarpon itch now. They are some magnificent critters. Maybe they should call them Crackon. Just as addictive and just as expensive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dryfly Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 "Just as addictive and just as expensive?" You can get to Belize or Cuba for less than $1K. If you compromised the accommodations and asked around for a guide you could get in a coupla days tarpon fishing for $2K or $3K. I will be back -- may take 2 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick0Danger Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 In belize you can take the water taxi to all the different cays relitivly cheap and wade for bones, and the off chance at permit. You can hire a guide for a day and he could show you the good holes you can access from shore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adc Posted March 16, 2008 Author Share Posted March 16, 2008 In belize you can take the water taxi to all the different cays relitivly cheap and wade for bones, and the off chance at permit. You can hire a guide for a day and he could show you the good holes you can access from shore. And the best guide is Mario Graniel and he looooooves to hunt tarpon........Best guide I ever fished with.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tie1on Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 Great story adc!!! Sounds like a lot of fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bigbadbrent Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 And the best guide is Mario Graniel and he looooooves to hunt tarpon........Best guide I ever fished with.......... I've never fished with Mario, but i can tell you, thats he is the one name that is mentioned 98% of the time if someone brings up fly fishing in belize. Clive, its about 2200 for a week at Southwater or Ambergis...Turneffe is 4. Hell, one of the guides i know who goes to cuba yearly, rents a vespa, and drives himself to the flats and wades for bone and permit. I can tell you, i'd rather do this then Mongolia. Great story guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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