Cuba’s waters are renowned for their breathtaking clarity, vibrant hues, and diverse marine life, making them a true paradise for many different diverse species in the ocean.  At any time on the flats, fly anglers can choose a quarry other than the top 3 flats species in Tarpon, Permit, and Bonefish. 

SNOOK

Snook are exciting flats fish that have built a reputation for being very aggressive predators.  They will strike the fly with a lot of intensity.  They are strong, fast fish that love to get airborne during their battle.  Snook will be found hiding as deep in the mangroves as possible.  It takes precise and accurate casts in between the cracks and crevices of the mangroves to present the fly properly to them. The finesse and precision required to present the fly just right, along with the snook’s tricky, sometimes elusive nature, makes successful Snook fishing very rewarding.  The Snook is also the 4th flats fish required to complete the Super Gland Slam, with the other 3 species being the Tarpon, Permit, and Bonefish.

BARRACUDA

Watching a big barracuda rocket toward a rapidly stripped fly, only to smash it and exit instantly, provides an incredible adrenaline rush.   Fly Line will come screaming off the reel as the Cuda makes a bullet first run.  Be sure to use wirebite so the fly doesn’t get instantly donated.    Often too overlooked, barracuda are a great fish to tangle with.  They are fast, aggressive, and strong, making them a thrilling challenge to catch. They put up an intense battle, and their speed and sharp teeth add to the excitement.

JACK CREVALLE

Jacks are an incredible fish to deal with on a fly rod.  They’re an extremely aggressive and powerful fish, so when they strike, it’s usually explosive. Their fast runs and tough fights make them a real challenge. It’s a great fish to learn how to pull on with a fly rod and practice how to land a powerful fish quickly.  Plus, they’re not picky eaters, so no worry about matching the hatch. They will often eat top water presentations too.  The fight is intense, and they’re great to catch on a fly rod.

SNAPPER

Cuban waters are home to a vast variety of Snapper, with Cubera being the prized trophy catch.  They have extremely sharp teeth and can grow to enormous sizes.  They typically make fast runs once hooked and will pull as hard as one can handle, especially if they get in deeper water.  Don’t let them get under a rock or the battle will quickly end.  Mutton Snapper are the other sought-after snapper in Cuba.  They will be found in the same areas as Cubera snapper.  Like Cubera, a larger Mutton snapper, too, will pull one’s arm off if they’re not careful.  It’s a great fish to spend time chasing as they love to aggressively eat larger baitfish flies.  Yellowtail and Mangrove snapper will also be available along the reef.