scuro2

This is what a Jack looks like after a four foot Cuda is done with it.

For those of you who have ever wanted to fish the southern oceans I highly recommend the Boatless fishing forums. I've posted my full report there. Follow the link.

http://boatlessfishing.com/forum/viewtopic...p;sk=t&sd=a

All I ask is that some moderator actually try to help me open my real profile. I'd love to post the full story, it's a good read, but figure this is only chance of getting some attention. I'll post the full story on another message board in a few days and provide a link if I continue to get ignored. I've tried about 60 times with about 10 password changes. I'll give them my password and they can see for themselves how frustrating it is trying to access that profile, and it's not like I'm technically illiterate. Going the next step, when a respected member inquired, still no one contacted me. I've sent about 10 e-mails over the months and have been surprised at the total lack of a real response.

This was my first trip to the northern Cuban islands and what a nice respite from our dull gray March.

What I often saw on my walk home.

Purdy insects too!

I met a new fish this time around, the lowly Grunt.

The fish grunts like a pig...literately, and any Caribbean bridge fishermen knows that fish like anyone fishing northern Ontario waters knows Rock Bass here. If you think you have hooked a nice Jack and the rod doesn't bend quite as heavy as it should, it's a Grunt. It's the most handy bait around if you have nothing else to fish with.

Heavy spring winds put me on the bridge and once there I anchored in for the week. I had a feeling I would end up there after reading reports so I brought along the big artillery. I bought a Shimano 6500 baitrunner with about 300 yards of braided. Overkill? You may think.... My Baitrunner was something that caught every Cuban's eye. It would be the equivalent of showing up with a Porsche at your reunion. One thing you can't do in Cuba is ignore how little they have. My whole tackle box was full of stuff they could only dream of owning. The US embargo limits what comes into Cuba. It was easy to trade things to get good live bait. You also just shed stuff because you see that a good number of them fish without rods or reels and other basic stuff. If you see that they get bitten off, you offer wire trace. When their hooks get bent out, you offer better hooks. And when they are catching you the best live bait, you give them anything they want. If you don't like the idea of shedding what you have, Cuban bridge fishing isn't for you.

(the rest of this content will be posted on my Facebook page tomorrow for those of you who know my name. I figure if I am providing free content to OFC, then I can get a little service. I'm not asking for much. My original user name and page is no longer accessible to me. That happened many months ago, after I tried to change my password. I'd like to access that again because I used to save the best pms I got and would look over the advice offered from time to time. Granted, a moderator did respond briefly to my first two e-mails, but no one has ever gotten back to me, and at the very least, offered to explain exactly why I can't access that profile. This even after another respected member inquired for me.)

What's a smoke and/or CO detector???

NOt sure if this has been posted yet...you have to watch some commercials first, Dave hits the screen at 4 minutes.

http://www.myoutdoortv.com/video/video.php...vHtMY_NNSBltI2E

I see float and scottydog and ya know there is going to be humour and fish. Another great report, thanks for writing her.

Terrace BC, made an impression on me, the mountains, the rivers...all just stunning. For that far north...the town still has some funkiness, and you can get into some very serious fishing.

http://stardate.org/nightsky/moon/

For diy and predators, it's all about tides and current. Think predator tactics. Go smaller then bigger, faster then slower, shinny/pretty then darker tones - for lures. Bring pike gear and leaders. Also helps to have flats boots, BP has them, and a very good pair of sun glasses. Having said that, dusk and dawn can be great times too as can the highest tide on a windless moon light night. For bottom feeders think Carp fishing...heavy rods, bait, and weights.

Looks like a nice jeep. At least they got out.

Dude there is tarpon where you are going... I will send you a map

There were a number of small tackle stores there....less bigger ones. The deals were okay, I don't really drive an hour for deals. I go to find stuff I can't find at my local fishing store and BP, I did end up buying two lures and a float. My wife comes along for the fly-in booths...we talk about my 50th coming up and dream trips. That was always kinda fun in the past. I remember you would always see a number of out of provence booths. None...this time around. Not even Kesagami...which is a bigger operation here in Northern Ontario. Probably about a 1/2 dozen to a dozen lodge booths in total...most booths covering the lower end of the market, say like a Kipawa.

Anyone know of the major US fishing shows? Might be time to take a look.

This has got to be the smallest fishing show that I can remember. Two things that stand out in my mind this year was the absence of any major fishing lodge (out of province fishing camps and the absence of Kesagami Wilderness Lodge) and fewer bigger fishing stores selling their wares. There seemed to be a fair bit of stuff not related to fishing, although I did by a good heating pad for my neck. My wife and I still did enjoy the show. The exhibitors were all friendly and gracious with there time. This year though the boats were in the middle of the hall and even so it looked like they barely filled the hall. I remember when they had three halls for the same show. It could be the recession or it could be the long term decline addict fisherdudes like us. Perhaps the next generation isn't as gonzo about fishing with too many other competing interests.

Cuba, I've been three times and going back again on March break and can't wait. Your report has me drooling all the more. I've heard the inland lakes are a waste of time. Promises of 10-20 pound bass, but in reality any area that can be fished by locals will be fished hard. I've never seen a report from Cuba with any bass. For them protein is the issue. Any area accessible to locals will be not that great fishing wise. Catfish would be fished just as hard. Even those tourist islands receive some local pressure. It's a plum job to work on the tourist islands, and a major perk for some of them is to allowed to stay on during their off time. I have been going to resort where there were no Tarpon. I'll be on the neighbouring island, where there are Tarpon channels. Like you I can't wait to hook into my first one!

Well I didn't read all of it but I read a good 90% of it. Norm and Sue, I remember them from 2 years ago. To be that old and fish...that's how I want to go gently into the dark night.

Barbless hooks all the way. Simple rule, keep the pressure on and you're fine. Complainers are relics of a gone by era.

Looks like Leslie I are coming up late June. I hope to have you booked for our first day. I want do the Karma thing and return the favour of your rescue in 2007!

I used to be in love with spinnerbaits and their product in particular. They made different weighted lures and had some large 1 ounce spinners and small bass spinners. I see they don't make them anymore. I'm down to my last small spinner. Liked their inline spinners too.

Thanks UF. I was told to try this website... I'll tinker with it tonight!!

 

What about uploading videos?! I've got some great stuff to share, but I'd to try something other than youtube...

I have a buddy going there the last week of Feb. I'll let ya know how he makes out. Have you ever been before? Any tips to offer?

 

Sinker

Sure lots of tips. It's a different type of fishing. First thing you gotta do is figure out what sort of fish you want to catch. Cuda being the easiest target.

While we are waiting, anyone going March Break? I'll be on the neighbouring island Cayo Guillermo. Thinking of spending some cake and doing a day of serious fishin'. Pm me if your interested.

The Marlin shot almost looks fake the fish is so big. Is there a story behind that?

Ooops forgot to mention that all the waters around the island have also been declared a wildlife sanctuary. This island is a flats fishing destination.

Imagine that you go to your favorite lake and you find out that no fishing is allowed unless you fish with a fishing company that has monopoly rights to the whole lake. Avalon fishing clubs charge? $500 US a day for guided fishing. A $100 dollar tip is expected too which doesn't go to the guide but rather the company. This is what I encountered last spring in Cuba on the Island of Cayo Largo. Every inch of a 15 mile island had been declared a wild life refuge. The island is a tourist destination and has 4 or 5 resorts on it. Now no one can fish any of it, that is except for the Avalon Fishing Club. Their motor boats apparently don't use gas and their customers are apparently invisible.

This island was fished mostly by Canadians and Brits who have built up a community through the internet, often sharing tactics and locations for DIY fishing. How do you get things changed in Cuba? That is a hard one in a communist country. We are perplexed. No official wants to rock the boat...often they don't respond. You can follow our approach here.

http://www.cubamania.com/cuba/showthread.php?t=23791

and background here

http://www.cubamania.com/cuba/showthread.php?t=23916

Hey blow up the pic so I can read the article! Awesome pike and nice looking jig, where is that plastic from?

Yup, if you got em, I want em.

Really enjoyed looking at the old pics so much to look at and consider of how it was back then.

Recently there has been a few fishing bans on some of the Cuban islands. More on this thread.

http://www.cubamania.com/cuba/showthread.php?t=23681