TARPON - Brutal it is the right word to describe fly fishing for Tarpon. The King of Silver has an insatiable appetite, and has a violent behavior, biting with power, and shows resistance and acrobatic qualities which make it the perfect adversary to a fly rod. For fishing Tarpon or Sabalo - as it is known in Cuba, can be divided in three categories: Baby Tarpon (those that they weigh up to 30 Lbs), Medium Tarpon (those that weigh 30 Lbs up to 80 Lb) and Monster Tarpon (those of more than 80 Lb and sometimes surpass the incredible mark of 200 Lbs). Obviously, these last ones are searched for, but unfortunately are much less common.
When nearing a school of Tarpon, unfailingly legs shake and a matchless sensation of adrenalin invades the body, while holding a heavy #11 or #12 rod in hand, anticipating a battle with one of these marine monsters. The sighting plays a preponderant role, since the fisherman identifies the school of fish and with a precise movement the angler must reach the school of Tarpons that move slowly in a movement of rotation-transferring to within meters of the boat. At all times it is important to control the nervousness and never feel intimidated by the extraordinary presence of these beasts.
PERMIT - To guarantee success when fly fishing for permit, is something that we simply cannot do. This wonderful fish is the ultimate flats challenge and many fly fishermen have been taken to school by this weary fish. To cast to, hook, and land a permit on a fly is a true angling milestone and one that most fly fishermen who have fished the salt will eventually aspire to. It is a gift that with patience, agility, modesty, and great humility, a lucky few will be rewarded with.
Fly fishing for Permit is extremely challenging and the odds are often stacked against the intrepid anglers who look to target this fabulous adversary. Wind, sun and the erratic nature of this fish all conspire against fly fishermen in their quest to tail one of these majestic fish. We can think of no other fish so difficult to predict, to understand, and worse still, to deceive. What a challenge!
The best locations in Cuba to consistently find permit are in Cayo Largo and Jardines de la Reina. Both of these locations are 60-80 miles offshore, along Cubas Southern Coast. The optimal times to fish for permit in Cuba are between March and July, as well as in the month of November, when the tides are high.
BONEFISH - The Bonefish prefers zones of low depth along the coast. It can especially be located in depths between centimeters and 2 meters. Normally, it is possible to see them swim in schools of fish with numbers between 4 and 20. This very grand specimen has a solitary life. They are fish that reproduce throughout the year in open waters, nevertheless they return quickly to the coast. They are a fish that have a great tolerance to waters with little oxygen since they have a biofunctional characteristic that allows them to do so.
The Bonefish must be fought by mastering, never with extreme force, since this could break the line in the act. The skill of the fisherman must be present so the Bonefish manages to generate the race and fight necessary, tiring it with appropriate patience.
Other Species - Anglers that want to try trolling off the reef with plugs, bait, and even flies encounter many other species of fish. Various snappers including the huge Cubera Snapper are present as well as groupers, jacks, kingfish, albacore, wahoo, and bonito and big cudas. One group of visiting anglers caught twenty five different species of fish off the reef-in one day!
