Cuba Fishing Licence????

[wildbows]

Hello everyone, I'm heading to Cuba in March and will certainly be packing my salt water gear. Does anyone know if I need to purchase a licence? I'm Canadian and will not be using a guide.

Thank you,

[SpexnReds]

I really have no clue about that, but my guess would be that since fishing is TOTALLY government controlled (like everything in the country) you probably will need a license. They seem to be pretty strict inforcers and don't hesitate to stick it to you when they have the chance because of their bureaucratic legalism and government. I'd contact one of the regional offices on the Island and find out for sure, cause lord knows I wouldn't want to end up in a Cuban jail. Oh yeah-and as a precaution, make damn sure you aren't fishing on a national park or protected refuge before you put a line out. From what I understand, most of the guided fishing in Cuba is done on National Parks in which the guides are licensed to fish-only two boats can be on the water each day and they can't have motors.

[teflon_jones]

Where are you going to be fishing and for what species?

[mctrout]

Boy dont tell that to Avalons as they sure have more than 2 boats and all have motors.
I booked a trip there for January and was never notified about the licenses but was fishing with guides both spots so maybe they had that covered. 1 is Bay of Pigs and the other is Cayo Largo. (Lots of boats and motors BTW)
Am told that the locals dont fish that much, but havent been yet so in my case I will only give you first hand stuff from my experience. no sense in me regurgitating some 3rd hand info. Try avalons.net
have a great time. I had to cancel in the end as my fishing partner got cold feet about our (USA) ridiculous stance on that country...
UN resolution was reaffirmed just a few weeks ago BTW. 4 countries on the planet agree with the embargo. USA, Marshall Islands, Palua and Isreal. what a joke....

[Max s.]

Been looking for the same info for some time now in preparing for an early Feb trip to Cayo Coco. It appears there's a shroud of mystery for the DIY'r on Cuba. Probably cause they don't want you doing it. I'll let you know if any further findings on licsencing etc.

Primarily this will be a family trip. Figuring on flogging the beaches or flats in front of the resorts early hours of the day before the tourist traffic. If anything, I should be able to get you some regulations from local Ministries down there before your trip. Hopefully not from a damp cell.

[wildbows]

Thanks everyone. Max, I'm doing the same type of trip. Wife and non angling friends. I also will fish every morning early and I've also been able to bribe my wife into me doing a whole day as well. Not sure where we are going as of yet as we are trying the last minute deal this year. I would love to hear about your trip and if you find any information about licences. I have a guide friend looking into it as well so I will pass on any info to you in the event he finds anything out.

[SpexnReds]

For some clarification, I wasn't talking about all the fishing areas in Cuba, I was talking about 2 of them that apparently, from what I have been told, have some of the best fishing be cause of the very strict laws they have-I can't remember which refuges they are but if you can get on them or find the guide that operates there I guarantee you will get into some tarpon and some BIG bones

[scuro]

I believe you don't need a licence for almost all of Cuba. I'm not sure about the national parks. try this message board.
http://www.cubamania.com/cuba/forumdisplay.php?f=93

[Max s.]

Great Cuba link scuro, and thanks to the folks through the search tool for info on Cuba questions. Exception being the liscense question.(need one but not enforced?)

Will return Feb/06 with a DIY report and a better idea about the licsense isssue 'wildbows'.

[streamside]

If you do not fish from a boat you do not need a Fishing Licence. Spent two weeks last year fishing Cayo Largo without a hitch and I'm heading back this Feb.

[bowbonehead]

I have been to Cuba 3 times (cayo largo,cayo coco,and cayo guillermo) and tried to buy licenses each time with no luck.Seems its not necessary if you fish from shore(no boat) Although I've talked to anglers who went out in boats and they did not have one either.There is good DIY at all 3 of these cayo's if your willing to explore.Great bonefishing at cayo largo via scooter and close to the better beaches keeps the wife happy although there is less for a younger family to do. Cayo Guillermo is great for families (Iberostar) we took our 9 and 15 year olds there and they had a blast. Every morning I would sneek off at day break to fish for baby tarpon(8 wt.) in the lagoons behind hotels fish up to about 25 lbs on poppers and cockroaches.Cayo Coco has some good fishing around the Melia caught bones and cuda in lagoon and on flats to the east plus jacks and snapper. If you rent a jeep there is lots of flats around Cayo Paradon and Cayo Romano where I had shots at permit (no hookups) and lots of bones and big cudas(you need wire) and no tourists.Anyways where ever you go there are fish if you explore a little
I am already planning another trip for june just got to decide if take the kids again. Tight Lines and Merry Xmas from Alberta

[Henry]

Though I'm not heading to one of the perceived "Big 3!!!" (Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Largo...). I am apparently headed to an area that has numerous of SW species opportunities.

I'm going to Guardalavaca Cuba 1hr from Holguin. Adjacent to the main beach in Holguin is a river esturay that supposeldy holds numbers of Snook, Poon's and bones as well as a variety of other species.

For what was supposed to be strictly a "family vacation"...the potential to steal a morning or two away is more than tempting...

...we'll see I suppose!!!...

Regards and Season's Greetings

Henry Will