TRIP REPORT: A BUCKET LIST TRIP COMES TRUE IN CUBA

ADVENTURES IN CAYO LARGO

A group of gentlemen from Charleston, S.C., recently worked with Yellow Dog’s Ian Davis to plan the trip of a lifetime to Cuba’s permit capital, Cayo Largo. The group’s adventures were written up in the Charleston newspaper The Post and Courier. Here’s an excerpt from the story: “There are few fishing locales that can live up to the hype. But a group of Charleston fishermen will attest that the Cuban resort of Cayo Largo, located about 100 miles due south of Havana, is a saltwater fly fisherman’s dream.

Rhett Reidenbach, Ken Holseberg, Stephen Zoukis, Tony Woody, David Stevens and Champ Smith had the recent opportunity to sample the Cuban flats and returned home with tired arms and vivid memories of bountiful bonefish, willing tarpon and challenging permit. ‘It was one of those bucket list trips that you hope you can go on again,’ Smith said.”

Cayo Largo is one of our team’s favorite destinations; below you can find some of our favorite images from this diverse fishery. Here’s a bit about a typical trip to Cayo Largo, a fishery that has become known as the permit capital of Cuba. Situated in the south-central region of the Cuban Archipelago, Cayo Largo ("Long Key") is one of the finest permit fishing destinations that we have found anywhere in the Caribbean.

Situated in the Canarreos Archipelago just off the southwestern coast of the Cuban mainland, this resort island is 100 miles as the crow flies from Havana City. The island itself offers 17 miles of picture-perfect, white sandy beaches.

Upon arrival, you will be surprised to find a natural flats environment that has remained totally unchanged and largely untouched for hundreds of years. The incredible Cayo Largo fishery came under the management of Avalon Fishing Center in 2008 and has since developed into a fantastic permit and bonefish destination (with some tarpon in the area as well).

The fishing season runs from November through August. The beginning of the season from November to January is very good, with plenty of bonefish (especially big ones) on the flats and permit found in strong numbers. Fishing for tarpon and other species can also be good.

Peak fishing season is from February to June, when all species are present in the area. The typical package to Cayo Largo is seven (7) nights / six (6) fishing days starting Saturday and ending the following Saturday. Additional days in Havana or on other parts of the island can easily be arranged and itineraries can be fully customized.

Ready to head to Cuba yourself? Call us at 800-777-5060 to help with your next adventure.

Yellow Dog Page CAYO LARGO