Good news! There are excellent fly fishing opportunities in Guantanamo Bay. I traveled to Guantanamo Bay in late June, the waters are virtually untouched and I was “on the fish” with nearly every cast.
As I prepared for my trip, I struggled to find information on fly fishing and conditions in Guantanamo Bay. I wanted to put this guide together to help anyone that is traveling Guantanamo Bay and is planning on fly fishing. I hope you find this information useful.
Equipment
If you plan to fish the beaches and also the Guantanamo River, an 8-weight saltwater fly rod is definitely the “all around” rod of choice. This is especially true when targeting snapper, permit and snook.
However, I could also see it a benefit in having additional rods up to a 12-weight, especially if you p View more...Good news! There are excellent fly fishing opportunities in Guantanamo Bay. I traveled to Guantanamo Bay in late June, the waters are virtually untouched and I was “on the fish” with nearly every cast.
As I prepared for my trip, I struggled to find information on fly fishing and conditions in Guantanamo Bay. I wanted to put this guide together to help anyone that is traveling Guantanamo Bay and is planning on fly fishing. I hope you find this information useful.
Equipment
If you plan to fish the beaches and also the Guantanamo River, an 8-weight saltwater fly rod is definitely the “all around” rod of choice. This is especially true when targeting snapper, permit and snook.
However, I could also see it a benefit in having additional rods up to a 12-weight, especially if you plan to fish the deep waters of Guantanamo Bay or if you plan to throw plus sized fly’s.
A large arbor saltwater fly reel is the only option. This style reel is necessary to allow larger fish to run smoothly when they strike and also to take up large amounts of line when retrieving. Also, a machined-aluminum sealed drag reel will be a benefit in the salty water of Guantanamo Bay.
If you have the option, bring both a floating and a sinking saltwater fly line. Although I did not see hardly any top water action during my trip in late June, I am certain that one may encounter rising fish during the cooler months of the year.
Where to Fish
From the shores, bay, and Guantanamo River the possibilities are endless. Although I did fish in many locations during my trip, I am only providing details on the locations where I was actively catching fish.
Ferry Landing Beach to Glass Beach
The best place to fish the shore line in Guantanamo Bay is from Ferry Landing Beach to Glass Beach; however it is also the least accessible and poses challenging wading situations.
Directly off of Ferry Landing Beach, I encountered snapper, permit and barracuda. However, I should point out that there are “no fishing” signs at Ferry Landing Beach. If people are there to swim and use the beach area, I suggest you be respectful of the rules and move away from the beach area, catching an active swimmer is not what you are looking to do.
The shore walk from Ferry Landing Beach south to Glass Beach can be difficult. The area is composed mainly of large boulders and hardly any sandy areas directly on the shore. On the walk you may have to scale some large boulders and test your climbing skills. But yet, just about anyone can make this trek if you are careful and smart about how you are move around.
Climbing the boulders will give you a unique vantage point to the deeper holes directly off the shore and an opportunity to “sight fish.” Some of the rocks cantilever over the bay, while the fish are holding directly underneath.
It is quite a sight to see fish shoot out from these structures and hit flies. The structures and holes in this area hold lots of bait fish. During a receding tide bait fish become trapped in the rocks while the snapper, permit and barracudas wait to eat their prey.
You can also fish this area from a boat. Probably the best outing that I had occurred roughly 150 yards off the shore line on an incoming tide at sunrise. The water in the bay is almost crystal clear and you can see the transition from sandy bottom to grassy bottom up to twenty feet. As a technique in this location, I fished the edges of the grass and sand transition area and it paid off. I landed ten pompano during a three hour starch that morning.
Windmill Beach and Cable Beach
Both of these beaches face south and are not a part of the bay and you will encounter surf and tidal conditions. These beaches offer sandy shorelines and a beautiful setting. I would like to also point out that both locations are popular diving and snorkeling locations.
At Windmill Beach, there is a deep hole direct center about 100 yards from the shore. It is difficult to fish, but could pay off if you’re up to the challenge of fighting an incoming tide. There is a concrete pad directly off the beach that will allow you to gain better access to the deep hole, during a low or receding tide you can see it and easily walk out there. I was able to catch a permit, pompano and some other unidentified tropical fish from this location. All fish were safely released.
When facing the sea and looking west from Windmill Beach, you can walk the shore line. But again tough walking conditions exist. In this area, the rock formations have created a tide break, so the surf is not as high. Although I cannot confirm, I can imagine that during a high tide event, many larger fish must rush into this area to feast on smaller bait fish.
At Cable Beach, you will find similar conditions. There is an opportunity to hike out on the rocks while navigating surf and tidal conditions. I only fished this location once; I found it very difficult to fish from. I did however land a few unidentified tropical fish at this location.
I am willing to bet there could be good fishing opportunities at Cable beach. There are many rocks and boulders in the water that most likely hold fish. Also, this area is set slightly back from the high cliffs, creating a small cove. If your timing was right, you many encounter schools of fish running through.
Guantanamo River
Tarpon, snook, permit, sharks and snapper, the Guantanamo River holds it all! If you have access to a boat, this area should be visited and your number one destination.
Schools of large sized permit were visible traveling along the mangroves of the Guantanamo River. I was never able to hook a “big one” while on the river, but they were there. I think this was in part that the migration down the river was occurring during the “heat-of-the-day” during the last week of June, when fish are not likely to be pursing prey and actively feeding.
I was also able to see snook along the mangroves from the boat, but could not land one. I did however land several mutton snapper while cruising the river. I also saw my first tarpon surface while on the river. It was an amazing sight to see a three foot “silver king” rise. And then there was the shark….I am happy that he did not hit my fly, but I estimate it was over four feet shark and pursuing a TeQueely that I had tied on. What a sight!
If you can make it out to the river, stick to the mangrove areas. Every hundred yards or so on the river, you will encounter shaded areas and cuts in its banks. It is in these locations that the fish are holding and taking refuge from the pounding Cuban sun. Blindly casting into these areas can be difficult, but will pay off especially if there are downed trees in the water.
Eventually, the tree line on the Guantanamo River stops and transforms into open fields. Given the brutal heat and impulsive sun, I can’t imagine that too many fish are holding in these areas past the mangroves and treed areas.
As with most fishing at Guantanamo Bay, fishing at dusk and dawn is best, especially if you are targeting snapper. Many studies have said that snapper are virtually nocturnal and not actively feeding during daylight hours.
Species of Fish
I caught three types of snapper including lane, mutton and red. During my trip, I also caught pompano and permit. There were also several unidentified tropical fish that I caught and released.
Unfortunately I did not catch a barracuda, tarpon or snook, but I did get a visual on all three.
Fly Selections
Typical Bonefish patterns worked best. I had stocked up expecting to get into bonefish, but did not see any. Crazy Charlie, Gotcha and any shrimp imitation is all you need.
