Variety Is the Spice of Life - Cannarroes, Cuba March 2024

During the first week of March, 12 members of the defective gene club ventured to The Canarreos Archipelago off the Southwest coast of Cuba in pursuit of saltwater fishing heaven. This area has been under a marine reserve since 1996. A new program as of 2022, this destination offers the best of Cayo Largo and Isla de la Juventud. Over the week, we covered 70 miles of this chain of islands. 

Our group decided to spend an extra day/night exploring Havana. Highly recommend doing this. Many of us toured around the city in the old 1960s convertibles, exploring the museums, and getting a lay on the land. After a great dinner at Al Carbon and some great Cuban coffee the next morning, we took a 3 hour bus ride to the port.

We were greeted by the friendly staff, loaded up our gear, and headed out on an adventure of a lifetime. The boat ride was a little bumpy, but settled down once we got out of the deeper water. We spent the next few hours rigging rods and drinking Mojitos. 

The Canarreos Archipelago is broken down into 6 zones. Zones 1-3 are primarily bonefish and permit, and zones 4-6 are tarpon and snook. However, in each zone you have opportunities to catch all species. The variety this program offers is second to none. Pristine white sand flats, turtle grass flats, deep channels, endless mangrove chains, and tannic water similar to the everglades. Covering 60+ miles, you do not fish the same zone twice. 

Bonefish

The bonefishing was as good as one could hope for. Tailers, big singles, big schools, and quality fish. Average fish was 3-5 lbs with fish in the 6-8lb range caught each day, and even one 10 pounder. My favorite flies used were the following: Bonefish Buttah #6, EP Spawning Shrimp BC Tan #6, Vlahos Bahama Shrimp Tan #6, Veverka Mantis Shrimp Tan #6, EP Ascension Bay Mantis Ghost BC #6, Chewy's Island Time Tan/Orange #6, and Chicone's Bone Appetite #6 in both tan & pink. Having a variety of weights is key; beadchain, mono eyes, and lead eyes. The guides seemed to like any spawning shrimp pattern and did not like pink. Tans and naturals were the color of choice. 

Fly Line: New Scientific Anglers Bonefish Plus and the New Scientific Anglers Magnitude Smooth Bonefish 10’ Clear. 

Rods:  New Winston Air 2 Max and Thomas & Thomas Sextant fly rods. Many anglers of the trip fished the Sage Salt R8 and brand New Hardy Marksman Z. A sleeper in my quiver, was the G. Loomis V2S IMX-PRO. Very light, not too fast a lot of feel, but a powerful rod.

Permit

Permit are permit wherever you go in the world. The Cuban permit acted no different. Our group managed to land one nice 15lb for the trip. Many follows and one blown hook set on my part. Many fish were cruising around in groups of 2-4 and a few tank singles were tailing and threw up the finger at us. Flies used were the following: Strong Arm Merkin White #2 (this one got an eat), Alphelexo Crab Tan #2 (this one caught the one fish), EP Spawning Shrimp Tan #1/0 (had many follows), and Danger Muffin Ghost/Tan #6. 

Fly Lines: Scientific Anglers Magnitude Smooth Infinity 12' Clear Tip and the Airflo Ride 2.0 Tactical 12’ Clear Tip. Having a 12’ clear tip and then a 12’ leader provides you with a better chance of catching that Perm! 

Rods: New Hardy Marksman Z in a 9wt was my go to rod. Exceptional light, responsive, and can cast heavy crabs into the wind with ease. Another favorite of the group is the Maven Mission in a 9wt. 

Tarpon

I’ll just go out and say Tarpon are my ultimate favorite fish to target in Cuba. The migratory fish were not there, but there were still plenty of residents around. We found fish 10-15lbs way back in the mangroves while casting underneath mangroves with poppers and smaller baitfish patterns. While on the outside, we found many fish blind casting in deep channels, cruising the flats in schools, and a few bigger laid up singles. We saw a few fish in that 50-60lb class but did not hook any. Many fish in the 20-30 range were caught. The Tarpon in Cuba aggressively chases your fly and they EAT! That size of fish is great for beginner and seasoned anglers. We primarily used 10 wt rods but you could have easily gotten away with a 9wt for the babies.

Flies: EP Boca Grande Tarpon Yellow (great sardine fly, they were everywhere), Laid-Up Tarpon Tan, Chicone's Punisher Purple, Tiger Tarpon Orange/Tan, EP Peanut Butter Purple/Lavender & Black/Red, Bruiser Purple, and Mo’Betta’ Toad Tan/Rust.

Floating lines: Scientific Anglers Magnitude Smooth Tarpon Full Clear, Airflo Ridge 2.0 Flats Universal Taper, and RIO Elite Tarpon. 

Sinking Lines: RIO Elite Leviathan 26’ Sink tip (this line gets your fly DOWN), Scientific Anglers Saltwater Intermediate, and the RIO Tropical Outbound Short

Rods: Hardy Marksman Z, Winston Air 2 Max, G. Loomis NRX+, and Sage Salt R8

Reels: Tibor(Signature Series 9/10 & Riptide, Sage Enforcer 9/10, Shilton SL7(rated for 11-12 wt but I personally think this is a great size for 10-11 wt setups), Nautilus CCFX-2 10/12, Galvan Torque T-10, and Abel SDS 9/10. Key here is to have a sealed drag and a machined reel that's durable.

Snook

The Setup we used was the same as Tarpon. Very similar flies and you want that 10wt in case you hook a monster snook that are often found in this region. A weed guard is a good idea. Less snags on the mangroves. Some flies that worked well were A2Z Red Head & Dead Meat, EP Mangrove Baitfish, EP Everglades Special, EP Mullet Bronze/White & Slate/White.

As with any saltwater trip, you need the weather to cooperate. Mother Nature provided incredible weather for our group. The guide staff and crew did an amazing job. A very well run operation. The food on the boat was awesome as well; fresh seafood and authentic Cuban cuisine. Overall a great experience. Highly recommended. Hope to have the opportunity to travel to Cuba again! And Johnny caught a CROCODILE!!!