Why Cuba? Discovering World-Class Cuba Fly Fishing at Cayo Romano

Without a doubt, the first question we are always asked about our Cuba fly fishing trips is: "why Cuba?" Since 2019, Grizzly Hackle has proudly introduced adventure-seeking anglers to Cuba fly fishing and world-class flats fishing at Cayo Romano. Many American travelers are unfamiliar with the angling opportunities found in Cuba, as travel to Cuba has been difficult, if not heavily restricted, for the last century. While Cuba fly fishing may not be on everyone's radar, amazing fly fishing travel opportunities are found for those willing to adventure to any of Cuba's incredible destinations.

Fly fishing in Cuba is unique for three reasons: exclusivity, diversity and pristine natural beauty. Simply put, Cuba fly fishing means stepping back in time to a place of remote, never-ending flats teeming with fish! Cayo Romano checks all of these boxes and then some for anglers looking for top notch international fly fishing travel vacations.

This May and June, we hosted two groups of anglers to the northeast coast of Cuba at Cayo Romano. What we found were ample opportunities at an array of different species, excellent guides and extensive fishing areas.

Why Cayo Romano Fly Fishing?

Cayo Romano is located within the Jardines del Rey archipelago, a system of keys included and protected within a vast marine park. The Cayo Romano fishery is an expansive system of white-sand flats, lagoons and estuaries. Cayo Romano is a sport-fish only area, where commercial fishing is strictly prohibited and enforced. The result is a fly-only designated fishing area nearly 150 square miles in size. Further yet, Cayo Romano (and the majority of Cuba's fly fishing destinations) are managed by a sole outfitter, Avalon, meaning outside fishing pressure and competition is non-existent. This means each boat has a fishing area of roughly 20 square miles to themselves each day! These remote, white-sand flats are some of the most beautiful we've seen. If that wasn't enough, experiencing a fishery of this caliber with little-to-no fishing pressure makes Cayo Romano unique in its own right.

Outside of the spectacular Cuba fly fishing, Cayo Romano is the sole land-based option offered by Avalon. Anglers fishing at Cayo Romano stay in secluded, resort-style lodging with a private pool, spa, bar(s) and dining. After a day of action-filled fishing, guests at Cayo Romano return to private, air-conditioned rooms or a cool pool with drinks before dinner. Massages are available upon request at the hotel's private spa and authentic Cuban cigar and rum tastings are held during the week.

Cuba Fly Fishing Experience

We have hosted anglers of all abilities to Cayo Romano, Cuba, on five different occasions. Time and time again, our guests are blown away by the diversity of fishing opportunities. Always present at Cayo Romano are the big three: bonefish, permit and tarpon. Additionally, anglers at Cayo Romano will encounter great opportunities to catch a plethora of other species, including: barracuda, jack crevalle, snook, triggerfish, mutton snapper, cubera snapper, sharks and boxfish. Cayo Romano's fishing area is just as diverse as the species found there: a seemingly never-ending network of deep blue holes, channels, mangroves and flats as far as the eye can see.

Bonefish

Not to be overlooked at Cayo Romano is the high quality of big bonefish. In very few places is the chance at a trophy bonefish a real possibility like Cayo Romano. Found throughout the entire fishing area, Cayo Romano's bonefish population is plentiful and of a much larger average size, with fish in the 4-6lb range a common catch and fish upwards of 10lbs are seen, if not caught, frequently. During our hosted trips this year, many of our guests had double-digit bonefish days. More often than not, this goal was still accomplished while not even targeting bonefish. Mornings would start primarily targeting permit, keeping the bonefish rod handy. Oftentimes, a quick shot with the permit rod and a crab imitation would fool large schools or pairs of bonefish we encountered while permit fishing. If the larger-than-average bonefish standard at Cayo Romano wasn't enough, the bonefish found here are grabby. While a good presentation is still required, some of my poorest casts were still rewarded with bonefish. The lack of pressure creates generally eager bonefish willing to take any crab or shrimp fly, making this a perfect location for beginner saltwater anglers and experts alike.

From large schools and "muds," to large, tailing singles or pairs of bonefish, Cayo Romano has it all. Bonefish here are found at a variety of depths. Whether fishing from the skiff or wading one of Cayo Romano's vast, sandy flats, tailing bonefish are encountered daily. Our guests at Cayo Romano waded as much or as little as they wanted to. Combine the endless bonefish opportunities at Cayo Romano with the powdered sugar-like flats, and you have the bonefishing of your dreams.

Permit

Like anywhere in the world, fishing for permit at Cayo Romano requires just as much patience and skill as it does humility and luck. Rest assured, the permit found at Cayo Romano are just as frustrating as they are enchanting! That being said, what's unique about permit fishing in Cayo Romano (and Cuba in general) is the blatant lack of fishing pressure when compared with other destinations. The result is more quality shots at the permit that you do encounter.

When conditions were right, many of our anglers at Cayo Romano had at least a quality shot, if not several quality shots, daily for permit. Just like the bonefish here, permit at Cayo Romano are found in large schools and tailing singles alike. We encountered schools of 50+ fish in deep water and shots at large fish tailing on foot. Twice in one week, I had large fish follow my fly to the rod tip while wading before refusing and spooking off into the distance. It's moments like these that get an angler hooked on permit fishing!

The fishing program at Cayo Romano is still in its infancy when compared to other destinations in Cuba. Still, the guides worked tirelessly to find fish and give you quality shots when permit presented themselves. The fishery as a whole still has a lot to be explored. Several permit were caught (and a couple tragically lost) during our hosted trips at Cayo Romano this year. The fish caught ranged in size from 15-20lbs, with much larger fish spotted during the week. What will keep us coming back is the number of "those that got away."

Tarpon

Perhaps the most exciting part of our week(s) at Cayo Romano were the ample opportunities at tarpon, including large migratory fish. May through June at Cayo Romano is the time to go if you're looking for shots at big tarpon. Our guests encountered tarpon frequently and saw, if not cast to, large fish even exceeding 100lbs. While tarpon fishing also requires skill and patience, the tarpon in Cuba simply do not face the same fishing pressure that they do elsewhere. Because of this, we were able to use heavy leader material confidently and fish a small selection of effective, classic tarpon flies. If those fish were hungry, they were going to eat your fly. On my boat, we encountered small schools of tarpon daisy chaining in hip deep water, as well as large schools rolling just off the flats. One of our guests hooked and landed a 110lb fish in hip deep water. What ensued was a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime fight. From start to finish, he skillfully landed and released the fish in a matter of minutes– a memory that will last a lifetime! Plenty of "fun sized" tarpon in the 20-60lbs range were caught during our weeks, as well.

Cuba Fly Fishing Travel and Logistics

For many Americans, Cuba fly fishing seems next to impossible to access. American travel to Cuba has been hot and cold since the 1950s, with changing diplomatic relationships affecting the terms at which Americans can legally enter the country. That being said, fly fishing travel to Cuba is now surprisingly simple for traveling anglers. Coordinate travel accordingly and come prepared with the necessary paperwork, and your entry and exit from Cuban fly fishing paradise will be seamless.

From the US, anglers traveling to Cayo Romano will want to fly into the Cuban city of Camagüey. There is one flight daily into Camagüey from Miami via American Airlines. This is a short and easy flight, lasting under an hour from start to finish. Once in Camagüey, American travelers will need to present a handful of documents in order to clear customs. These documents include, but are not limited to, an E-Visa, "D'Viajeros Form," and paperwork supporting the reason for travel to Cuba. As hosts, our Grizzly Hackle team works hard to simplify this process and make sure all of this paperwork is completed and submitted ahead of time. After clearing customs, a private shuttle takes you through the maze-like historic, colonial city of Camagüey two hours north to Cayo Romano, where the lodge staff greet you upon arrival. Our group opted to stop in Camagüey briefly to purchase Cuban cigars and refreshments for the weary travelers on board– a toast to the fishing week ahead! The drive takes you through the Cuban countryside and several rural communities, before opening up on the vast flats of Cayo Romano and Cayo Cruz.

Cuba Fly Fishing Gear

It's important to come prepared when traveling to fly fish in Cuba and bring the right saltwater fly fishing gear. No fishing gear is available at your destination, and the variety of species present require a wide range of gear in order to make quick shots successfully. Believe it or not, the permit of your dreams does not appear out of nowhere and wait for you to get ready. The fish at Cayo Romano are elusive and the shots leave little room for error. Each boat should have at least one of the following:

Saltwater Fly Fishing Rods

(2) 7wt/8wt Rod: Arguably the rod that gets the most action down there is your bonefish rod. A fast-action 7wt rod will suffice, but an 8wt rod is the better tool for the job. You'll need the extra muscle to punch through the wind, and your average bonefish at Cayo Romano is much larger than other destinations. Each angler will need a bonefish setup when wade fishing at Cayo Romano and a fast action fly rod like a Winston Air 2 Max or a Scott Sector is perfect for the job. An all purpose saltwater floating line is all you need for this fishing.

(1) 9wt Rod: Rigged up and ready for permit or small tarpon. Permit shots are typically few and far between, and usually appear out of nowhere. A 9wt rod paired with an all-purpose saltwater floating line and a permit crab/shrimp will be perfect when the opportunity presents itself.

(1) 10wt Rod: Your do-it-all saltwater rod at Cayo Romano. We primarily rigged up our 10wts for tarpon. However, 10wts will handle the various other species found down there, including barracuda, snapper, snook, etc. In most boats, we recommended one 10wt set up for tarpon and another rigged-up either with a heavy sinking line or barracuda leader/fly. We alternated rods depending on the fishing situation. If conditions are poor and visibility is low on the flats, targeting the deep blue channels/holes can be productive. For this, we recommend at least a clear-intermediate sink-tip fly line.

(1) 11wt Rod: If possible, an 11wt rod is perfect for large migratory tarpon. A 10wt will cut it, but those on our trips that landed big migratories were thankful they had the 11wt.

Saltwater Fly Fishing Reels

When it comes to Cuba fly fishing or any saltwater fly fishing destination, your reel isn't just an accessory, it's your lifeline. That giant tarpon we landed at Cayo Romano? It would have been "the one that got away" without a bomber saltwater fly reel. The reality is simple: saltwater fish like bonefish, permit, tarpon, and barracuda will test every component of your setup, and a weak link in your drag system means game over. This is why we carry a variety of machined aluminum reels with bulletproof drag systems from proven manufacturers like Abel, Nautilus, Hatch, and Bauer. These aren't just pretty pieces of metal—they're precision instruments built to handle screaming runs, sudden direction changes, and the kind of punishment that would destroy lesser reels. Whether it's a permit peeling line in the shallows or a tarpon going airborne, you need a reel that won't let you down when it matters most.

Check out our complete selection of saltwater fly reels to prepare for your next adventure.

Flies

• Bahamas-style shrimp for bonefish, including Gotchas and Spawning Shrimp sizes #04-#08. Tan and white colors, with a mix of bead chain and lead eyes.
• Itchy & Scratchy Shrimp in tan/white #04
• Squimp #02-#04
• Avalon Fly #04
• Flexo Crabs in tan, sand, and white #02-#06
• Strong Arm Crabs in tan and white #02-#04
• Rag Head Crabs in tan and white #02-#04
• Tarpon Special Bunny Fly in black/purple and chartreuse/white
• Ka-Cuda or comparable needlefish fly for barracuda
• Clouser Minnows in #2/0-#3/0 chartreuse/white

Browse our complete selection of saltwater flies to prepare for your next adventure.

Beyond Rods and Reels: Necessary Gear

Here's the reality about Cuba fly fishing: there's no fly shop to cover you when you arrive, so you're committing to a week in paradise with whatever you pack. Don't let gear failures ruin the trip of a lifetime when that permit finally shows up.

Essential Cuba Fly Fishing Gear Checklist:

• Polarized Sunglasses - Pack two pairs: amber/copper for sun, yellow for clouds
• Wading Boots - Coral and stingray protection is non-negotiable
• Waterproof Pack - Protect flies, leaders, and electronics from saltwater spray
• Saltwater Pliers & Nippers - Quality tools that won't seize up in salt
• Sun Protection - Wide-brimmed hat, sun gloves, and plenty of sunscreen
• Leaders - 9-12ft saltwater leaders varying 12-20lb and specific tarpon leaders
• Tippet - 12-20lb fluorocarbon for bonefish/permit, 60lb for tarpon
• Wire Tippet - Essential for barracuda and toothy critters
• Quick-Dry Clothing - Multiple fishing outfits for long Caribbean days
• Rain Jacket - Lightweight protection for tropical downpours

If you are looking for unparalleled diversity and exclusive flats fishing, then you can simply look no further than Cuba fly fishing. We've returned to Cayo Romano for not only this, but the great guides, lovely accommodations and nonexistent fishing pressure. Interested in joining us on our next hosted fly fishing travel adventure? Learn more about our travel experiences and upcoming destinations.

Ready to gear up for your next adventure? Shop our complete selection of fly rods, reels, flies, and saltwater gear online 24/7 or visit our Missoula fly shop to speak with our expert team.