Hi folks. I’m really sorry that this report is long over due. I did try before but it wouldn’t upload my images because of their sizes honest
. So after much pressure from some of the forumites here goes.
It’s been a dream of mine for a while to catch a bonefish as I’m sure it has been for many others. So I thought to myself stop dreaming and go and do it. So I did.
I done a ton of research before I booked ie feasibility, gear needed, time of year, species etc and once I had an idea of what I wanted I booked with Thomas Cook to stay in the Bluebay Resort in Cayo Coco for two weeks…… and off I went.
The hotel was beautiful and the service and facilities was second to none. Almost as soon as I arrived, I got messages from the guides I pre-arranged with. What really wetted my appetite was the mangrove lagoon right outside the hotel.
Those ripples in the picture are tailing bonefish. Not very big but they would come in quite close early in the morning. You would also see barracudas chasing smaller fish and they were great fun on surface poppers. I saw a larger fish jump out too and I think that may have been a tarpon by the small mangrove islands.
With my appetite now well and truly wetted, off in search of the bones I went. I met up with my first guide Abel who was a gent and off to Cayo Ramano flats in search of my dreams we went.
As the sunlight and wind conditions weren’t great it was difficult to spot the elusive bones. When the guide spotted them, I couldn’t see sh1te
. I didn’t believe him at first, but I learnt very quickly that he was telling the truth. (If ever you literally lose a needle in a huge haystack, call these guides as their eyes are that good they will find them)
Abel: 20 yards 3 o’clock
Me: My 3 o’clock or your 3 o’clock
Abel: Your 3 o’clock
Me: I can’t see sh1t mate
Abel: Just cast. There’s two together going across us
Me: Ok if you sure mate.
Me: Holy sh1t. I’ve hooked something big. WTF
Abel: That my friend is a bonefish (with a huge grin on his face)
My reel was literally screaming and there was nothing I could do. I just had to hold on and compose myself. I felt like a right kn0bhead, as what happened to another kn0bhead on the telly happened to me. I ran out of backing. Sh1t sh1t effing sh1t I think I said or words to those effects.
I thought the backing thing was a myth and I learnt the truth the very hard way. So off with that reel and on with my fully loaded wider reserve reel. Lets try again. I was kicking myself for ages as I thought I might not get another chance as the conditions worsened and for a good while we never saw another fish.
There was a very similar conversation to the one above and once again all hell broke loose
. This time I was armed and ready. I could see the shallow water parting at great speed and again the reel screaming.
50 yards, 100 yards, 130 yards, 150 yards in no time at all. I managed to hold on and bring the fish under control. After a good few minutes (felt like hours) and several long runs I managed to bring the fish in close enough to see my first bonefish. And then off it went on another run
. To be honest I was starting to lose my patience with this blo0dy bonefish. A short while after my dream was realised and I was so happy I almost cried
(sorry about the mismatch of pictures. different shirt different day and all that. it's just for added dramatisation
)
The above bonefish of about 3-4lb fought like something I didn’t think was possible. A few snaps and kisses later, off we went again. I had to admit my casting went to pot after that as I was still shaking. I caught another one that outing and had missed several having been broken off twice.
Anyhoo now that I’ve done it, let’s try something else. Say barracudas off the beach. These were caught whilst trawling from a catamaran. I caught loads of fish off the beach both on fly and with fresh prawns which I got off one of the chefs. Surface poppers worked quite well too and seemed to attract everything that was in the water. When on the fly I was plagued with some decent sized needle fish and I couldn’t strip the line quick enough. They would chase everything and were absolute bu99ers to hook and release whilst up to your gonads in the salt. I didn’t fancy keeping them on the line too long with their great speed, teeth and sharp point.
You can see where a much bigger barracuda came and feasted on one of my catch
look at those gnashers
I done some deep sea trawling too, to break up the fly fishing
wahoo
And loads of other fish species off the beach. If anyone could identify them for me that would be great. Thanks.
red snapper
barracuda
I missed a huge red snapper on the fly whilst on one of those little pedal boaty things you can get off the beaches there. i had him on a fast sinking line with a white dog nobbler and had him/her on for at least 5-6 minutes and when i got it close to the boat he went under and snapped me clean. it's funny because i spent all that money and effort on the bones, and this missed fish is the one i think about most offten. Oh well
I fished for at least 8 hours everyday for 12 days straight. The only days I didn’t fish was my arrival and departure days. If I wasn’t fishing with a guide, I would usually be out at first light, come back to resort for breakfast about 10ish, arrange a packed lunch, go to the toilet (number 2), shower and then straight back out again and returning when I could no longer see me fly line (some days well into the night too). Heavenly
It wasn’t just the fishing that was great. I loved everything about my trip. The Cuban people were amazing. Very friendly and hardworking. What touched me the most was their outlook on life and their work ethics. We had cleaners by day and then DJ’s by night, Lifeguard by day and waiter by night etc. some people even did 3 different jobs in one day. Like I said, amazing people and I think we can all learn a lot from them.
When I went to Moron on a half day trip, one of the staff (Alex) from my hotel recognised me there as that’s where he lived and it was his day off. Without requesting his services he immediately took us under his wing. He took me and two others to show us the town square and then took us to a little café/restaurant/bar in one of the out the way back streets.
There he fed us proper Cuban food and drinks and even bought cigarettes for us, all of which he paid for with his own money. We all reached into our wallets to pay and he wouldn’t take a penny from us. When we got back to our coach we all got our wallets out again to give him a tip to say thanks. All I had was 2 twenties, 40 pesos (about £35). I was so touched by his generosity that I offered it all to him. Again he took not one penny from us and ignored our pleas. I’ll never forget what he said.
“My friends, this is Cuba. This is the real Cuba and real Cuban people. I hoped you enjoyed it. I’m lucky I have a job. Please give to those less fortunate”. What a truly remarkable human being
When you think how much 40 pesos is worth to them in a third world country where even the people who work are poor.
I said I would look out for him in the hotel (to give him a thank you gift) but unfortunately as it was so close to my departure date I didn’t see him again. Alex my friend, thank you. I’m very sure we’ll meet again buddy
If I’m honest I only had one complaint about the resort. The food. The food for most people would be fine ie great daily variety, fresh, non-spicy and excellent service. Unfortunately with me being of the Asian variety and loving spice, if it doesn’t burn me one way or the other, it’s no good
. If you know what I mean
The other thing is they love their meat, which is a bu99er if you’re a vegetarian. So much so, even their vegetables have meat in them. I think they must just grow that way
It was a once in a lifetime trip that I’m about to do again on the 12th of July. Not for me though mind, I’m searching for Alex
just a quick mesage of thanks to those that helped me with my research namely rookstorm, aenoon, polite, welshtoffo, runner, 330busdriver, nailedmains, penn 2 et al. very sorry if i missed anyone out but you know who you are so thank you again.
cheers folks
burhan
cuban dreams part 1
. if that is the case then that's the last time i'll be back there. i was planning on using guides and some diy last time
SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.
... seriously, good stuff butty! 
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