Fly Fishing Hot Spots

[Seth]

What do you consider to be the top 5 most prolific fly fishing destinations in the world and what is the species most sought after there?

[flyfishionado]

#1 Turneffe Flats, Belize This has to be the best place in world for permit.

#2 Iztapa, Guatemala This is one of the few places that lives up to the hype, thirty sailfish days are normal. Its like catching bluegill in a pond.

#3 South Andros, Bahamas I would say this is the surest bet for bonefish you can find. These are not the 1 - 2lb "muds" that you catch in Mexico, these are decent 5-7lb fish.

#4 Jupiter, FL The false albecore action here is outrageous. No other place comes close to the size and numbers of fish available.

#5 Isla Holbox, Mexico While not the easiest fish to catch, you will see more 100+ tarpon here in the sping and summer than you will anywhere else in the world. Schools of 75lb+ fish can number in the several hundreds.

Those are my TOP 5. There are honorable mentions for a few other places. Ascencion Bay, Mexico probably offers the best shot for a grand slam, next to Turneffe Flats.

[Seth]

What are your thoughts on places like the Seychelles or the Cook Islands? They seem to get a great deal of attention in articles and some of the other fly fishing forums.

[flyfishionado]

I think the Seychelles probably belongs in that list from what I've heard. I limited my five to places that I've visited myself. I'd like to visit the place, but it probably won't happen until 2010. I'm not familiar with the fishing in the Cook Islands. I suppose there is no end to the great spots available to try.

[Seth]

Since my thread did not get much action in the Destinations forum, I thought I would see if maybe there would be more response here. C'mon!

[jake61198]

I haven't got five, so I'll just put a couple that I think are the best.

1. Martha's Vineyard - Stripers in June, and False Albacore and Bonito in the fall.

2. Christmas Island - Bonefish and GT There are more bonefish here than anywhere else, mostly smaller fish, but plenty of big ones if you are willing to skip fishing for numbers and look for them. The GT fishing is as strong as ever.

3. The Seychelles could be on this list, but I've been to Alphonse, and the fishing is too dependant on the tides. I'm told the live aboard trips to Astove and Cosmoledo are awesome.

[JAT]

Belize is awesome back there in less than 2 weeks for my fourth trip with 5 clients.

Next year having a change of scenery and going to Ascention bay in Mexico and to Cuba which would both rate very highly!

[jake61198]

I'd love to try Cuba. I know some people that have been and all claim it's a great place. I'm just waiting for a change in the political climate.

[cowie]

i'm heading back to cuba beginning of may,was there last year same time,the place is amazing.

[acesover]

Is it legal for an American citizen to fish in Cuba?

[Seth]

Is it legal for an American citizen to fish in Cuba?
Yes, as long as Cuban immigration does not stamp your passport. You can fly there from Mexico very easily. Just slip a $50 bill into you passport and ask the immigration officer not to stamp your passport.

[jake61198]

Seth,
That was just wrong! The answer is a very emphatic NO, it is not legal for an American to go fishing in Cuba, and if you are caught ( and some are ) you will be fined by our govt. The Angling Report mentions fines up to $10,000, not something to joke about.

[Seth]

Relax, I think everybody knows that going to Cuba for anything is not legal for U.S. citizens. However, I know dozens of citizens that have been and continue to go. What a joke.

[kirbychristian]

Well I guess not EVERYBODY knows because acesover asked whether it was legal so I think jake61198's answer was appropriate.

[Seth]

This thread is about fly fishing hot spots. However, for those that are not absolutely clear about the legal implications of traveling to Cuba as a US citizen the following is a suggested read.



ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS/TRAVEL TRANSACTION LIMITATIONS: The Cuban Assets Control Regulations are enforced by the U.S. Treasury Department and affect all U.S. citizens and permanent residents wherever they are located, all people and organizations physically in the United States, and all branches and subsidiaries of U.S. organizations throughout the world. The Regulations require that persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction be licensed to engage in any travel-related transactions pursuant to travel to, from, and within Cuba. Transactions related to tourist travel are not licensable. This restriction includes tourist travel to Cuba from or through a third country such as Mexico or Canada. U.S. law enforcement authorities have increased enforcement of these regulations at U.S. airports and pre-clearance facilities in third countries. Travelers who fail to comply with Department of Treasury regulations could face civil penalties and criminal prosecution upon return to the United States.
General licenses are granted to the following categories of travelers, and they are permitted to spend money for Cuban travel and to engage in other transactions directly incident to the purpose of their travel, without the need to obtain a specific license from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) (http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/):
Journalists and supporting broadcasting or technical personnel (regularly employed in that capacity by a news reporting organization and traveling for journalistic activities).
Official government travelers on official business.
Members of international organizations of which the United States is also a member (traveling on official business).
Full-time professionals whose travel transactions are directly related to research in their professional areas, provided that their research: 1) is of a noncommercial, academic nature; 2) comprises a full work schedule in Cuba; and 3) has a substantial likelihood of public dissemination.
Full-time professionals whose travel transactions are directly related to attendance at professional meetings or conferences in Cuba organized by an international professional organization, institution, or association that regularly sponsors such meetings or conferences in other countries. An organization, institution, or association headquartered in the United States may not sponsor such a meeting or conference unless it has been specifically licensed to sponsor it.
The purpose of the meeting or conference cannot be the promotion of tourism in Cuba or other commercial activities involving Cuba, or to foster production of any bio-technological products.
Travelers who do not qualify for a general license may be eligible for a specific OFAC license if their travel falls under one of the following categories:
Specific Licenses to Visit Immediate Family Members in Cuba
OFAC will issue specific licenses authorizing travel-related transactions incident to one visit lasting no more than 14 days to immediate family members who are nationals of Cuba per three-year period. For those who emigrated to the United States from Cuba, and have not since that time visited a family member in Cuba, the three-year period will be counted from the date they left Cuba. For all others, the three-year period will be counted from the date they last left Cuba pursuant to the pre-existing family visit general license, or from the date their family visit specific license was issued. Travelers wishing to visit an immediate family member in Cuba who is authorized to be in Cuba, but is not a national of Cuba, may be granted a specific license in exigent circumstances provided that the U.S. Interests Section in Havana concurs in the issuance of such a license.
Specific Licenses for Educational Institutions
Specific licenses may be issued by OFAC to authorize travel transactions related to certain educational activities by students or employees at U.S. undergraduate or graduate institutions. Such licenses must be renewed after a period of one year. Once an academic institution has applied for and received such a specific license, the following categories of travelers affiliated with that academic institution are authorized to engage in travel-related transactions incident to the following activities without seeking further authorization from OFAC:
Undergraduate or graduate students participating in a structured educational program lasting at least 10 weeks as part of a course offered at a U.S. undergraduate or graduate institution. Students planning to engage in such transactions must carry a letter from the licensed institution stating: 1) the institution’s license number; 2) that the student is enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at the institution; and 3) that the travel is part of an educational program of that institution.
Persons doing noncommercial Cuba-related academic research in Cuba for the purpose of qualifying academically as a professional (e.g., research toward a graduate degree). Students planning to engage in such transactions must carry a letter from the licensed institution stating: 1) the institution’s license number; 2) that the student is enrolled in a graduate degree program at the institution; and 3) that the Cuba research will be accepted for credit toward that graduate degree.
Undergraduate or graduate students participating in a formal course of study lasting at least 10 weeks at a Cuban academic institution, provided that the Cuban study will be accepted for credit toward a degree at the licensed U.S. institution. A student planning to engage in such transactions must carry a letter from the licensed U.S. institution stating: 1) the institution's license number; 2) that the individual is a student currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program, or a full-time permanent employee at the institution; and 3) that the Cuba-related travel is part of a structured educational program of that institution that will last at least 10 weeks.
Persons regularly employed in a teaching capacity at a licensed U.S. undergraduate or graduate institution who plan to teach part or all of an academic program at a Cuban academic institution for at least 10 weeks. An individual planning to engage in such transactions must carry a letter from the licensed institution stating: 1) the institution’s license number; and 2) that the individual is regularly employed by the licensed institution in a teaching capacity.
Cuban scholars teaching or engaging in other scholarly activities at a licensed college or university in the United States. Licensed institutions may sponsor such Cuban scholars, including payment of a stipend or salary. The Cuban scholar may remit all such stipends or salary payments back to Cuba.
Full-time employees of a licensed institution organizing or preparing for the educational activities described above. An individual engaging in such transactions must carry a letter from the licensed institution stating: 1) the institution’s license number; and 2) that the individual is regularly employed by the institution.
Specific Licenses for Religious Organizations
Specific licenses may be issued by OFAC to religious organizations to authorize individuals affiliated with the organization to engage in travel transactions under the auspices of the religious organization. Applications by religious organizations for such licenses should include examples of the religious activities to be undertaken in Cuba. All individuals traveling pursuant to a religious organization’s license must carry with them a letter from the licensed organization citing the number of the license and confirming that they are affiliated with the organization and that they are traveling to Cuba to engage in religious activities under the auspices of the organization.

[Seth]

Other Specific Licenses
Specific licenses may be issued by OFAC, on a case-by-case basis, authorizing travel transactions by the following categories of persons in connection with the following activities:
Humanitarian Projects and Support for the Cuban People – 1) Persons traveling in connection with activities that are intended to provide support for the Cuban people, such as activities of recognized human rights organizations; and 2) Persons whose travel transactions are directly related to certain humanitarian projects in or related to Cuba that are designed to directly benefit the Cuban people. Licenses authorizing transactions for multiple trips over an extended period of time are available.
Free-Lance Journalism – Persons with a suitable record of publication who are traveling to Cuba to do research for a free-lance article. Licenses authorizing transactions for multiple trips over an extended period of time are available for applicants demonstrating a significant record of free-lance journalism.
Professional Research and Professional Meetings – Persons traveling to Cuba to do professional research or to attend a professional meeting that does not meet the requirements of the relevant general license (described above). Licenses authorizing transactions for multiple trips over an extended period of time are available.
Religious Activities – Persons traveling to Cuba to engage in religious activities that are not authorized pursuant to a religious organization’s specific license. Licenses authorizing transactions for multiple trips over an extended period of time are available.
Public Performances, Athletic or Other Competitions, and Exhibitions – Persons traveling to participate in a public performance, athletic or other competition (that does not meet the requirements of the general license described above), or exhibition. The event must be open for attendance, and in relevant situations participation, by the Cuban public, and all profits from the event after costs must be donated to an independent nongovernmental organization in Cuba or a U.S.-based charity with the objective, to the extent possible, of benefiting the Cuban people.
Amateur or semi-professional athletes or teams traveling to participate in Cuba in an athletic competition held under the auspices of the relevant international sports federation. The athletes must have been selected for the competition by the relevant U.S. sports federation, and the competition must be one that is open for attendance, and in relevant situations participation, by the Cuban people.
Activities of Private Foundations or Research or Educational Institutions – Persons traveling to Cuba on behalf of private foundations or research or educational institutes that have an established interest in international relations to collect information related to Cuba for noncommercial purposes. Licenses authorizing transactions for multiple trips over an extended period of time are available.
Exportation, Importation, or Transmission of Information or Informational Materials – Persons traveling to engage in activities directly related to the exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials.
Licensed Exportation – Persons traveling to Cuba to engage in activities directly related to marketing, sales negotiation, accompanied delivery, or servicing of exports of health care products or other exports that may be considered for authorization under existing Department of Commerce regulations and guidelines with respect to Cuba or engaged in by U.S.-owned or controlled foreign firms.
Applying for a Specific License
Persons wishing to travel to Cuba under a specific license should send a letter specifying the details of the proposed travel, including any accompanying documentation, to the Licensing Division, Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20220. Academic institutions wishing to obtain one of the two-year specific licenses described above should send a letter to the same address requesting such a license and establishing that the institution is accredited by an appropriate national or regional accrediting association. Religious organizations wishing to obtain one of the specific licenses described above should send a letter to the same address requesting such a license and setting forth examples of religious activities to be undertaken in Cuba.
The United States maintains a broad embargo against trading with Cuba, and most commercial imports from Cuba are prohibited by law. The sale of certain items, including medicine and medical supplies, and agricultural commodities have been approved for export by specific legislation. The Department of the Treasury may issue licenses on a case-by-case basis authorizing Cuba travel-related transactions directly incident to marketing, sales negotiation, accompanied delivery, and servicing of exports and re-exports that appear consistent with the licensing policy of the Department of Commerce. The sectors in which U.S. citizens may sell and service products to Cuba include agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices. The Treasury Department will also consider requests for specific licenses for humanitarian travel not covered by the general license, educational exchanges (of at least 10 weeks in duration), and religious activities by individuals or groups affiliated with a religious organization.
Unless otherwise exempted or authorized, any person subject to U.S. jurisdiction who engages in any travel-related transaction in Cuba violates the regulations. Failure to comply with Department of Treasury regulations may result in civil penalties and criminal prosecution upon return to the United States.

[tommyj]

I thought this was an open forum and we could discuss whatever we wanted. The guy had a question about fishing in Cuba...relax...these forums are supposed to be fun as well as informative.

[Shadowcast]

Seychelles, Islamorada, Flamingo, Banana River NMZ/Mosquito Lagoon, Bahamas.

[Seth]

Seychelles, Islamorada, Flamingo, Banana River NMZ/Mosquito Lagoon, Bahamas.
Which of the atolls in the Seychelles have you fished and how would you describe the quality of the fishing? Have you fished the eastern side of Andros?

[Shadowcast]

Ooops. Never been to the Seychelles. It's just on my list of dream fly fishing destinations. I would like to tackle a GT one day.

[Seth]

What is the general opinion on the Caribbean coast of Mexico? Are the fish generally smaller due to the area being more of a spawning area? Which area has the biggest fish for fly action (bones and tarpon)? There are many places to focus on, but I am talking big fish. Isla Holbox, Ascension, Sian Kaan Bio-sphere, Xcalak, which is the top. Also, what about sails on fly? Is Isla Mujeres the spot???

[Bender]

I think that Holbox is probably the Mexican Tarpon Mecca for big ocean fish,i've see many schools of rolling fish,they are usually in a 80 to 100+ lbs class,the fishing is not so easy because you have to intercept the school's path,than cut off the engine and wait to cast to make a good presentation,since you usually use a fast sinking line or head,you have to wait untill the fly goes down to the tarpon's level,than cross your fingers and start stripping!You have at max 2-3 shots to the school,than you have to follow them again ,since they travel fast in the water is not an easy fishing but it is a real hunt,i come back this summer and i'll tell you.
Sian Kaan Bio-sphere is a beautifull place ,i went there in 05 and i loved the scenario and the persons,i think is one of the best places in the caribbean where you can make a grand slam,and sometimes a super grand slam! Bonefish are small ( 2-3lbs) but the area is full of them and they are tailing most of the time, a 7WT rod is a good choice to have fun with these little ghost. Permit in 8 to 15 lbs are pretty common and baby tarpon are from 4 to 20lbs at max,so i used a 9WT for permit and a 10WT for baby t.
For sailfish i think one of the best places is Zihuatanejo ,you can have the same great fishing of Guatemala or C.Rica but a very reasonable price,and you have to add also big roosterfish, yellowfin and big jack too.
Ok Seth,this is my opinion due to my own exsperiences and informations!