Cuba - November 2025 trip report from Allard

An almost last-minute opportunity allowed me to grab a spot up on the November 2025 Cuba Flats fishing trip with the shop, not the day of, that’s another story! Deciding to go was probably the best decision I have made in a long time.

I left YYC on the red eye to Toronto with two other anglers who I was acquainted with and met up with a third who I was not. After a mere two-hour wait we boarded the next flight to Varadero arriving mid-afternoon in Cuba. There we were met by our driver who whisked us away to Playa Larga and Casa Zuleda.

The weather was beautiful for the week that we fished on the flats of Las Salinas within the Cienaga de Zapata National Park and the “Rio” (river). 

The first three days I was paired with the very capable Brian (Pronounced “Brianne) , my guide. This being my first saltwater fishing trip, we talked about what the day(s) would bring and we worked out communication for sighting and casting to fish.

It was a steep learning curve for me. New fish species to understand and cast to, casting heavier rods than I was used to (8wt and up), casting from the deck of a boat with no leg brace, squeaky boots on the deck scaring bonefish, constant winds and the line on one of my rods had been spooled on backwards. 

Each day, small, curious Lemon sharks would come to see what was going on, sometimes chasing bonefish (on Thursday we waded along side the lemon sharks while hunting bonefish), stringrays lay on the sand flats moving only when we ventured too close and needle fish waiting to be caught.  All day Brian would say “bonefish, 11 O’clock, 100’, do you see it?”

I would look hard and inevitably reply “nope.” Again, he would call “Bonefish, turning right towards you, 85’, see it?” My eyes would strain into the distance, “nope” I would reply. Then I would hear “point your rod to 12 O’clock, move slowly left , STOP, bonefish turning left at 50’, see it?”

“YA, I’ve got ‘im” I would reply and the game was on. Brian was very patient with me, spoke excellent English and explained everything so well, I felt comfortable in my incompetence. I caught 15 bonefish. I was happy. 

On Wednesday I fished the “Rio” (river) for Tarpon with Mimpo as my guide. Even though casting an 11wt rod with a sink tip line and mid-size streamer is very different than trout fishing, I was rewarded with 2 baby tarpon 3 feet long. Strong for their size and exciting to play. I managed to hook into a 5-footer but lost him to the anchor rope after about 45 minutes.

Thursday I had the opportunity to cast to some juvenile tarpon in the mangroves on the flats. At one point one of them rolled out of the mangroves to pursue my fly down deep and, after a hard strip set, I was rewarded, not with a tarpon, but with a snapper that had beat out the tarpon in the depths. Four more

bonefish that day too!

On Friday I was lucky enough to fish the “Rio” a second time. It rained hard until we arrived at the boat house, then the rain miraculously stopped. We had incredible weather for the day of fishing.

My guide was Mimpo again. I swear that man can smell tarpon. We were all on the main stem of the rio and the two other boats went up and down stream. I asked Mimpo where we were going. He lifted his head up, sniffed the air in all directions and said “No, lunch” and opened the cooler. We weren't halfway through our sandwich when a large tarpon rolled right beside the boat.

“Now cast” he said calmly continuing with his sandwich. One of the other boats returned and cast to the tarpon, hooking it. For the next 1hr and 45 while he is playing that tarpon, we continued to see large rolling tarpon that we hooked into one after another. Six hook ups in total. Two threw the hook because of anchor ropes; a 7-footer bent the hook and self-released; and I had a 5-footer on for about 45 minutes; the knot came loose on one and another broke the 80lb leader because it was abraded from a the rough mouth of a previously hooked fish and I hadn't checked it before casting to the next one. 

It poured again as we left the boathouse compound and headed back to the Casa. Some may say that I was skunked because I did not land a tarpon but I call that a perfect day.

The Casa Zuleyda was a wonderful place to call home to during our stay. The staff were friendly and accommodating, The food was excellent, lots of fresh fish, veggies and fruit. Cuban musicians played a number of nights for us and the company was wonderful. 

David and Nancy are amazing hosts. They looked after our every need and request, made all the necessary arrangements to allow us all to have a perfect week in paradise.

I will do this adventure again in the future. I know there is a tarpon with my name on it