Cayo Coco Cuba fishing?

[Wallyman]

Hi there folks.    Well it's coming to that time of year again.

Looking to do some warm water fishing in Feb.

Does anyone have any recommendations or tips for fishing in Cayo Coco ?  I am looking to stay at the Memories Caribe.

Any info would be appreciated.

Regards    Dave.

[AKRISONER]

stayed at that resort, theres a fly fishing operation that does flats fishing that will pick you up from the resort. The guys are fly snobs though and very difficult to communicate with. I cant remember their names.

The fishing itself was an absolutely fantastic experience, I had plenty of opportunities at big bone fish, snappers and even caught a couple huge barracudas.

I just found the attitude of the guides a big offputting, 1. Im not a great fly fisherman, and dont claim to be 2. they didnt seem impressed with the $50us tip i gave them on the $400 trip? meanwhile another guy named Ray  that was staying at the resort that i became friends with said he paid something like $600 to fish all 7 days with them...didnt make much sense to me. 

look ray up on instagram, hes an ex calgary police officer wongchez is his handle, he spends tons of time down there every year fly fishing, really really nice guy tell him I sent you.

[CrowMan]

I've been to Cayo Coco twice. Stayed both times at the Melia Cayo Coco...which is billed as a 5 star resort, but keep in mind a 5 star in Cuba is a 3 star (at most) anywhere else. Beautiful beaches, and the flats fishing for Bonefish, Permit, juvenile Tarpon was fantastic. 

I went out with Mikel Ceballos...you can find him on Facebook. Great guy, personable, funny and one of the hardest working guides I've fished with. Gets more excited about catching fish than his clients. Last time I was there, the Cuban gov't was in the process of eliminating private independent fishing guides. They want them all to work for "Avalon Fishing" which is a gov't agency...since it's a cash business, I imagine the idea is to make sure the gov't gets their cut. Not sure what the current situation is with Mikel, but reach out and see if you can make arrangements directly with him.

There is good DIY fishing on a flat a short walk to the east down the beach from the resort. Wet wading and sight fishing for Bones. Bring your own gear...a medium spinning outfit will cover most situations for Bonefish (maybe something heavier for Barracuda and juvie Tarpon)..get a 3 pc travel rod that you can stash in your luggage. Grab some Bonefish jigs...I get them on-line from Buggs Fishing. 1/8 to 1/4 oz jigs with twistertail plastics work too.

Anyway, unfortunately I won't be returning to Cuba again unless the gov't changes. It's an absolutely beautiful country with super friendly people, but their system of gov't is running it into the ground. There are constant shortages of everyday products, regular power outages, and frankly most of the food at the resorts is sub-par. Last trip there, they were rationing toilet paper and bottled water at the hotel...

Yeah, Cuba is a lot less expensive of a destination than other spots in the Caribbean, and the rum and cigars can't be beat, but if I'm on vacation, I don't want to have to worry what I'm going to wipe my a$$ with...

Bahamas, Mexico, and Belize (my favourite) all have great fishing, and they aren't third world communist dumpster fires....

Bring big poppers and wire leaders for the Cuda..

Edited October 9 by CrowMan

[BillM]

Funny you mention Buggs, I'm heading to Aruba in November and I'll most likely grab some bonefish jigs off him, lol!  

[CrowMan]

26 minutes ago, BillM said:

Funny you mention Buggs, I'm heading to Aruba in November and I'll most likely grab some bonefish jigs off him, lol!  

Get some of Hot Head Buggs in natural shrimp colours. Work great for Bones..

[BillM]

Thanks for the tip! 

[Wallyman]

Thanks for the great info.   Think I will try to get hold of Mikel and see what the status is down there.

Bahamas may be an option. Never been there.

 

Regards

[CrowMan]

1 hour ago, Wallyman said:

Thanks for the great info.   Think I will try to get hold of Mikel and see what the status is down there.

Bahamas may be an option. Never been there.

 

Regards

Are you looking to do just fishing, or a family vacation with spouse and/or kids ? Do you prefer an all-inclusive resort ?

[Wallyman]

Well I like to see the area where I am at,  but my main reason is to fish.

I would be by myself looking for an all inclusive stay.

Regards

[CrowMan]

1 hour ago, Wallyman said:

Well I like to see the area where I am at,  but my main reason is to fish.

I would be by myself looking for an all inclusive stay.

Regards

Depends what you're looking for. If you want a "fishing lodge" type experience in the Bahamas, that includes everything along with daily trips with a guide, I'd highly recommend Andros Island Bonefish Club. My son took me there for my 60th b-day...had an awesome time..the guides are great, plenty of fish, and it's a perfect place for beginners to flats fishing..

https://share.google/lRncVbFo4EarobpjJ

If you want  DIY fishing (walk and wade) with perhaps a golf cart or rental car to get around, and maybe just a day or two with a guide to get zeroed in on the fishing...then look at Eleuthera or Abaco Islands in the Bahamas...or San Pedro in Belize...or Xcalak in Mexico. I've been to all of them...glad to help you out once you find something that fits your budget.

Margaritaville Beach Resort in Belize is one place I'd take a look at, if you want something that's more of a "beach vacation" but with excellent fishing too....it's an all inclusive resort with great fishing on the beach right in front of the hotel....miles of empty beach to walk and wade...rent a golf cart to extend your range...

[Wallyman]

Well,   thanks for all the great info.   Mikel does not guide any more due to health issues.

And I have heard from multiple sources that the economy is still bad in Cuba so I have decided on Freeport Bahamas.   Any tips for fishing around the Wyndham resort?

Regards

[CrowMan]

Never fished Freeport.

In the Bahamas, I've fished only Andros and Eleuthera Islands. In the Bahamas on the flats, it's all Bonefish....other flats species like Permit, Tarpon and Snook are pretty rare. 

A medium action spinning outfit and 1/8 to 1/4 oz jigs in shrimp and crab patterns should cover most situations.

[Wallyman]

Thanks CrowmMan.