Fly fishing in Cuba, Cayo Romano

Cayo Romano Fly Fishing

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Located on the north shore of the eastern province of Camaguey, the Cayo Romano/Cruz fishery is an enormous system of flats, lagoons and pristine estuaries. Located in Jardines del Rey, commercial fishing within this designated area is strictly forbidden and rigorously enforced by the Cuban Government. The designated sport fish only area is 366 square kilometers in size, meaning that on the average day, each skiff has over 50 square kilometers to itself. The fishing area is virtually untouched and represents one of the cleanest and most biologically diverse ecosystems we’ve ever fished.

The first thing that guests need to know about when considering this location, aside from the exceptional flats fishing that is found here, is that this is a new fishery still very much in its infancy. It has only been in operation for two years and has not seen many clients, particularly when compared to other locations in the Caribbean that offer this quality of fishing. Nowhere does this become more apparent than with the guides who work this location. The guides are hard working and eager to learn but they are very green and are learning on the job. There are no veteran guides here with decades of experience. The senior guides have at most 2 years of experience and this can at times be challenging to deal with, particularly for some of our more experienced anglers who have fished all over the world with us. However, if you are prepared to be patient while the guides develop, what you will find is a virtually untouched flats oasis, absolutely teaming with fish and wildlife.

The boats depart from Cayo Cruz each morning and depending on the guide rotation that day, you may be heading to any number of areas to spend the day. From Cayo Paredon Grande in the north to Cayo Guanaja in the south, there are countless islands, lagoons and bays that will keep anglers happy and into fish. Much of the fishing takes place back towards the mainland, in and around the massive island of Cayo Romano. The average boat run to the fishing areas is about 20 minutes in length and you can be into fish within 5 minutes of leaving the boat docks. It just depends on where your guide wants to take you that day and what you are interested in targeting. With 50 square kilometers per boat, the options are just about limitless. There are so many great aspects to this fishery that it can truly be a sensory overload at times.

The flats are an inviting combination of hard packed white sand and a semi firm mottled bottom that still provides good wading. And what a place this is for those who like to wade. It’s very similar to Los Roques in terms of the amount of area that’s wadable and there are places here where you can wade for 4 straight hours without heading back to the boat.

The average sized bonefish is a healthy 4 pounds and during the course of the week it is not unheard of for guests to land a fish or two in the 10 pound range. Tailing bonefish are common and guests can expect to see bonefish in singles and doubles, all the way up to schools of several hundred fish. What really sets this location apart from so many other fisheries is that guests can expect to encounter and get shots at good numbers of permit each day. There are very few places on earth where guests can fish for big bonefish each day and get shots at tailing permit. This combination may take place in other locations but not with the consistency that is virtually guaranteed at Cayo Romano. It is a rare day when you don’t encounter and get shots a permit. The permit will range in size between about 8 and 30 pounds.

There are two locations within the Cayo Romano that offer very good tarpon fishing and both are about an 80 minute boat ride from the Cayo Cruz boat launch. The guides tend to save these areas for when an angler has already boated a permit and is looking for a Grand Slam. These fish will range from 30 to 90 pounds.

The exception to this is in late April and May, when the migrating tarpon come close to the mainland to feed and spawn. During this time frame we can organize the skiffs to be brought down to the coastal town of Jiguey, which is just a 10 minute ride from the hotel. This area offers very good tarpon fishing in the bay out front of and to the right of Jiguey and guests can also expect to venture out to the first row of islands off the coast of the mainland looking for silver kings. When you hit it right and the sardine schools are in, fish over 100 pounds will be landed. The skiffs operating at Cayo Romano/Cruz are Mitzi brand skiffs, manufactured in the United States. Each skiff has a poling platform for the guide along with rod holders and very generous storage space, located at both the front and back of the boat. The casting platform is large and offers lots of space for those anglers who like to move around a bit while standing on the bow of the boat. Constructed from a very light fiberglass mold, these skiffs are ideal for the miles and miles of shallow water flats that anglers will find here. Drawing less than 6 inches of water, the skiffs are powered by very reliable 40 HP Yamaha two stroke engines.

information

FISHING METHODS

Saltwater Fly Fishing.

SPECIES TO CATCH

Bonefish Season: March to July - Oct to April Peak: April to May Weight: 1lb to 10lb Average Weight: 5lb	Permit Season: March to July - Oct to April Peak: April to May Weight: 1lb to 30lb Average Weight: 10lb
Tarpon Season: March to July - Oct to April Peak: April to May Weight: 20lb to 130lb Average Weight: 60lb

Note: these figures are complied with catch reports over 5 years, however they can be affected by adverse weather.

quick check

TOUR INCLUDES

Flights (E), accommodation, guided fishing, packed lunch whilst fishing and fishing licenses.

WHAT’S EXCLUDED

Holiday insurance, laundry, personal items, tourist card (£30 must be purchased before travelling) and local tips.

OPTIONS

Seat upgrades available with all airlines.

VISA

A machine-readable passport with at least 6 months before expiry. Tourist visa card required before departure.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

No vaccinations currently required

PLEASE NOTE

All details of visa and medical requirements are correct at time of press. However, please check these requirements for changes.

DEPARTURE TAX

There is a $25 CU departure tax payable upon leaving Cuba.

FLIGHT ROUTE AND FLIGHT TIME

UK - Havana (approx 9.5 hrs)

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE

(E) 1 checked in item 23 kg (B/F) 2 checked in items 23 kg. Please contact either Iberian or Air France airways for weight limits & additional costs for checking in additional fishing equipment.

TRANSFER TIME

Havana airport - Hotel Oasis Panorama (approx 45 mins)
Hotel Oasis Panorama - Cayo Romana (approx 90 mins)

other activities

WALKING / SIGHT SEEING

A great opportunity to view the beautiful landscape as well as a great opportunity for stunning photography.

DIVING

Explore the beautiful underwater scenery including a vast range of tropical and reef fish in crystal clear waters.

An Amazing Week For The Customers At The Farquhar Lodge, Seychelles!

Cayo Romano Fly Fishing