PPS Destinations Report 

Casa Badita, Cuba

Date:        March, 2007

 Reported by Dr. Raymond Charbonneau, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

As this was my first bonefishing trip, I cannot really compare this destination with other places.  Once can see many websites destinations which promise you a lot of fish but when you are there, they always seem to have a reason for bad fishing, such as the wind, the temperature, the rain, etc.  In any event, I decided to make my first foray for bonefish to Casa Badita.

Casa Badita is situated on an island called Cayo Largo and they have exclusive fishing rights.  Basically, they have six 'beats/areas' which are used for 12 anglers but in the event of poor weather, they rely mostly on three of them.  These fishing areas are a long way off and its rare to ever see another pair of anglers on any given day.  I found their boats to be good for fishing and, if you request, you have the opportunity to wade fish at least 30% of the time.

As this was my first experience at bonefishing, I was very glad of my first day, catching 5 bones ranging from 3 to 4 pounds, one barracuda and as a bonus, a 45 pound tarpon at the end of the day.  In fact, I started my day with a jack crevalle snapping my leader.  The next two days were somewhat less productive with 2 bones as the weather was not good and I found it very difficult locating fish.   One problem that I faced was that I still think in feet instead of metres, so when the guide pointed to fish at thirty metres, I was looking 30 feet and I only realised this later...

In my view, the guides were very good but not all could speak English.  The operations manager was very kind, his name was Mauro, and he did his best to please.  He speaks four languages, French, Italian, Spanish and English.

To book the fly fishing, you must contact Planet Fly Fishing which is a French Organization.  The cost for the fishing, which is separate, is %500 US per day for the boat.  Before arrival, you are given options of various hotels.  I booked myself at Sol Melia, which is considered the best available.  The cost for the hotel accommodations came as an all-inclusive package which included airfare from Montreal and was about $4000.  Generally, I found the lodging to be ok and the food to be 'so-so'.  Transportation to the marina was by taxi which picks you up each morning at 8am for the 5 minute ride.

Raymond Charbonneau.

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