Cayo Romano – Cuba

Fishing Gear

We strongly recommend not to bring rods longer than 9 feet as they can be damaged inside the skiff.

One Bonefish rod, a 9-foot rod for #8 or 9 weight line. An 8-weight rod is perfect as many of the bones are in the 3-6 lb class and there is often wind to contend with. On this rod you will want a good bonefish reel with enough capacity for the line and 200 yards of 20 lb backing. You need a saltwater specific, tropical temperature rated, weight forward floating line. All of the main fly line manufacturers make a saltwater bonefish line. Be sure to bring a back up floating line for bonefish. There is some coral on the ocean side flats, and many flats have small mangrove roots and shoots that the bonefish run through and around and this can shred a fly line. Bring one back up rod for bonefish in case of breakage.

We suggest two – 9’ #10 Rods or one 9’ #9 and one 9’ #10 rod- since there are so many species of fish, it helps to bring two 9 or 10 weight rods. Then you can set one up specifically for permit, and have another set up for baby tarpon, snook or barracuda. Have individual reels for both these rods. You will want weight forward, tropical saltwater lines for both rods, but it is a good idea to bring one slow sinking line for the ten weight as well. Attach your lines to backing with loop-to-loop connections making it easy to change lines out on the flats. Your reels should have capacity for the line plus 150-200 yd. of 30 lb. backing. All reels should be large arbor and feature a fully sealed drag system.

For reels, pick a good tarpon reel with enough capacity for a 10 line and 150 200 yards of 30 lb. backing. A strong, smooth drag is necessary. All reels should be large arbor and feature a fully sealed drag system.

TACKLE

You will need a maximum of three lines for your large tarpon rod. A floating line, an intermediate (slow sink), and a full fast sinking 400-500 grain for the big channels which are up to 15 feet deep with strong tidal currents (less common usage, but not bad to have). All should have loop-to- loop connections to your backing. Less experienced casters will often do better with a floating line but the intermediate is perhaps the best all around line to use in the deeper channels. Out on the shallower flats, a floating line is a much better choice. You will be fishing with a floating line the majority of the time. Come prepared for whatever situation you may encounter.

6 Bonefish leaders – 9-12 foot 12-16lb 2 Spools of bonefish tippet, 12lb and 16lb Fluorocarbon. Most of the time the bonefish are not at all leader shy so it is an advantage to use heavier tippet.

6 – Permit Leaders 9-12 foot, 16-20 lb Fluorocarbon 1 – Spool 16lb and 20lb Fluorocarbon tippet for permit

6-8 – Quick Change Tarpon leaders. OUR GUIDES ALWAYS RECOMMEND TO MAKE YOUR LEADERS WITH A 60 LB FLUOROCARBON SHOCK TIPPET AND THEN A SECTION OF 80 LB FLUOROCARBON TIPPET, WHERE YOU WILL TIE THE FLY.

Some anglers prefer to use 3 feet of shock tippet so that you can use each leader for several fish or re-tie on several different flies.

Bring spools of 40lb, 60lb, and 80lb Fluorocarbon for Tarpon. Leaders can be built as needed out of this material.

*If you are looking a Tarpon record, bimini leaders must be used, this starts with a 60lb section, then a 20lb fluorocarbon tippet, finally an 80lb.

FLIES

BONEFISH FLIES

These are the most abundant and popular of the flat species. The average weight is about 4-6 pounds but bigger specimens are caught, especially in the winter months.

Fishing is either from the skiff or by wading. Bring two to three dozen bonefish flies in various patterns for a week of fishing. You need a mix of very light flies and medium weight flies (with bead chain eyes) to fish in water depths from six inches to two feet.

You’ll also need at least a half dozen flies with heavy lead eyes for fishing bones in muds where the water can be 3-4 feet deep. Some of the best patterns are the Tan and Pearl Gotcha Shrimp, White or tan Squimp, Bonefish Scampi, Mantis Shrimp/Spawning Shrimp patterns, and of course the Crazy Charlie style flies. Sizes should be mostly #4’s with a few #6’s and a few smaller #8’s. The bonefish can be selective, so be sure to experiment with various patterns. Most flies should be darker patterns – tan and brown but you also need some very light or white patterns for white sand flats.

PERMIT FLIES

Quite abundant indeed where they are up to their reputation of being the most frustrating fish of the flats. Lots of skills and patience are required but a fair number of “grand slams“ have been achieved by anglers when they catch a permit, bonefish and tarpon in the same day. Bring 6-12 flies for permit. AVALON FLY IS THE MOST ADVISABLE CHOICE – variations with dumbbell or bead chain eyes and small beads on the keel for shallow water.

Other spawning shrimp and crab patterns in size 2-4 can be great options to have as well. In addition here are some other productive patterns used: Perez Crabs Sideswiper Crab in tan or white, Flexo Crab, Strong Arm Merkin Crab, Raghead Crabs in tan or white, Ep Permit Crabs in olive or tan, and Mantis Shrimp style patterns. It is important to have some lightweight flies with bead chain eyes and some slightly heavier with lead or brass dumbbells to cover the variety of water depths that you may find.

TARPON FLIES

Large number of tarpon are resident year round in tidal channels, flats and mangroves. Their average weight is from 15 to 30 pounds, but fish up to 60 pounds maybe encountered and, indeed, some large fish have been caught over the past seasons. They are in the area all year long but tarpons over 50lbs are more usually found from March to August.

Keys style patterns in size 2/0 and 3/0 are very good on the flats for tarpon in the 15-50 lb. class. The best keys style patterns are the Orange/Yellow/Grizzly, Brown Cockroach, Black Death and a White/Grizzly Cockroach Deceiver. Some of the Enrico Puglisi patterns have proven to be deadly too, especially the Black and Purple or Black and Red “Peanut butter” in both 3/0 and 4/0. Other good Enrico patterns are his White/Yellow, and the Backcountry brown as well as the brown and orange and olive over white sardine style patterns. Classic black and purple or red and yellow toads will round out your tarpon fly selections. If you are tying your own, tie all these tarpon flies on the Gamakatsu SC-15 hooks, in either 3/0-4/0.

SNOOK FLIES

Some of the 2/0-3/0 tarpon flies above will also double as good flies for snook but the best are the Enrico Puglisi patterns like the Mullet streamer, mangrove baitfish, baby mutton snapper, all in 2/0-3/0. For big snook in slightly discolored water you’ll find at times near the channels, a 3/0-4/0 Black and Purple tarpon fly is hard to beat. For really big snook, between 30 and 40 inches, a 4/0 size fly is a better choice. White and red can be a great combination for snook along with tans and olive over white. Have a few heavy lead eye flies like Clouser/Deceivers in both white and yellow/ olive. Sizes for these should be 1/0 or 2/0.

FLIES FOR OTHER SPECIES

There is terrific fishing for a variety of other flats fish like Mutton Snappers, Jack Crevalle, Barracuda and sharks. Here are the flies you’ll need:

MUTTONS

Tarpon flies and snook flies in size 2/0 and will work best. Best colors seem to be Brown/ Orange, Mullet (green/black gray back and white underside) and the Yellow/ Orange/Grizzly tarpon fly.

JACK CREVALLE

Larger tarpon flies are best, but any big crab pattern will work great too. You often are fishing for other fish and don’t have time to switch, but if you can put on a brown or black/purple Enrico in 3/0. Also, any popper will crush big Jacks. The key is to cast close to these fast moving fish and strip the fly as fast as you can.

CUDAS AND LEMON SHARKS

You should bring large flies for these species. Often sharks prefer a large sardine style olive over white or EP mullet streamer that imitate a small bonefish. The best patterns for barracuda are tied with mylar flashabou tubing, with a green thread head to look like a needlefish. These should be 2/0-3/0 and tied 8 inches long with a stinger hook. You also need to carry knottable stainless steel wire in 30-50lb. Cudas will take poppers as well. The red and white popper is a classic and is a must for Cudas and sharks.