Guided fishing on the Cayos
Tarpon...Red Snapper...Crevelle Jacks...Barracuda...Bonefish
I have just returned from my fifth visit to the Cayos in Cuba (June 2007). I stayed at the Oasis Playa Coco where I had arranged to meet with a Friend Julian and his family. We had planned a deep sea trip together but a couple of days before leaving England I got a text from him saying "Bring your driving licence". Why I wondered?
Julian had arranged a day of guided fishing with a receptionist at the hotel. Her husband would take us out for the day but needed my driving licence and passport to hire a car for the trip. I was a little concerned at handing over these valuable documents and 130 Cuban Peso (approx £76) to pay for the hire and petrol, but needn't have worried. The guide turned up at the appointed time of 6am and to my surprise and pleasure it was Juan Carlos Martinez a waiter I had met last year.
We loaded the car with tackle and a huge cool box full of ice and set off. I was told we were going to the causeway and the journey was going to take about two and a half hours. I was confused as the causeway between Cayo Coco and the mainland was only half an hour away. Wrong causeway! we were heading for a 47 k long causeway with 44 bridges between the mainland and Cayo Santa Maria.
George,
a friend of Juan Carlos came along for the fishing and did all the driving. The
route was via the towns of Moron, Chambas, Yaguajay turning onto the causeway
just before Cabarien. We were to fish the bridges (all 44) with lures. The
first bridge saw me with a Cubera Snapper caught on a red and white Yozuri
Tobymaru, this turned out to be a very good lure as at the next bridge I
had two Red Snapper on it at the same time!
The only things biting more than the fish were the
mosquitoes. The sun got higher and with no wind and a slackening tide the
fishing
slowed. We worked our way along the causeway trying each bridge. We saw
huge numbers of fish but the conditions were against us. Juan Carlos does not
give up and picked off a 10lb Barracuda he spotted in just two foot of water off
the far end of the causeway George picked one up as well. Juan wanted to us to
stay on until sunset for the huge Tarpon in the area but our wives were
expecting us back so we worked our way back towards the mainland. The tide
started to run and the wind got up so we had a last go on the main bridge.
Casting from high above the water Julian got smashed up for the second time
(15lb line is not enough) and I got a Jack.
All in all a very good day out and highly recommended.
As Juan's job is a waiter he is not allowed to
charge for his guided fishing trips. He is passionate about
his fishing and has excellent knowledge of the area. The only way he can get to
these areas is by taking someone who can pay for the car hire etc. so he gets a
day fishing and so do you! He does not make any money
from these trips! So if you do go with him it would be nice to
show your appreciation with a gift, he will take a tip and always needs lures
and other tackle. No matter how much he gets in tips he cannot buy fishing
tackle, rods, reel, lures etc as they are just not available in Cuba and so are
all the more valuable to him. Because tackle is not
available Juan cannot supply any for your use so you must take your own.
So how do you contact him? You can email in advance with your name, where you will be staying and the duration of your visit to ileinyjohn@gmail.com for the attention of Ilainy Padron (his wife) and he will contact you on your arrival to arrange a suitable day. If you are staying at the Oasis Playa Coco or the hotel next door which is due to open in 2008 (name may be the Balconies) you can simply ask for Ilainy at reception. Alternatively. go the beach where you get the Hobie Cats, pedalos etc and ask for George and he will contact Juan for you. If you do go, say hello from me, Mike Hobbs, and have a day to remember with good fishing and a rare view of the Cuban mainland and lifestyle of the Cuban people.
