How many weeks have we been in Cuba?

Approximately 36 to 38 weeks over the last five years, nearly 40 weeks.

What are the differences between Stillwater's offerings in Cuba and other companies?

Stillwater's focus is to have our clients fly fish Cuba at the best times for each location.  We have developed personal friendships and relationships with the guides and staff, selecting them based on their strengths and the group's needs. They ensure that our clients receive the best possible experience during their Cuba fly fishing adventures in the most comfortable boats with excellent food, focusing on the live-aboard experience.

Why do we pick the times that we prefer for trips to Cuba?

We have dedicated many weeks to researching each location at different times of the year.  We choose the times we do based on species, seasonality, and overall preference for matching the best times at each location.

For instance, we typically avoid Cuba in January, February, and March due to unpredictable weather. If the cold fronts blow hard from the North, the fishing in Cuba will likely be less than what clients expectations are.   We prefer to avoid the risk of losing several days or even the week to bad weather.  Flats fish do not like these early season cold fronts and will move off the flats quickly if they occur for several days.  If one chooses to fish during Jan-March, they need to understand that risk and be willing to accept that fishing could be exceptional with great weather and high pressure OR it could be awful with any strong cold fronts.

April and May the focus is clearly on the Tarpon migration, just like in Florida.  Not ALL locations will get the migration of tarpon, even though we see anglers told that they will. The areas to target for the tarpon migration are the Islands of the Youth and Garden of the Queens.

We avoid June due to the rainy season, which can produce horrible mosquito hatches around the mangroves as well as poor visibility with clouds. Again, one can take the risk with June and strike gold if it doesn't rain, but we don't like that risk-reward.

July is an incredible time to be fishing the flats, likely one of the best for those seeking Grand Slams and overall great fishing.   The weather and water are stable, which produce warmer waters and hungry flats fish.  If you want the best time to get multiple grand slams, July is the month.  If you want a month to chase hungry Permit, July is the month.  Tarpon are present too.  Baby tarpon will be in the mangroves and the larger tarpon will typically be found in channels and along the reef areas.

The early Fall is also an exceptional time to target Grand Slams.  The waters in Cuba are not fished in August and September due to Hurricane season.  While there is also a risk of Hurricanes in October, the risks are low and we find it more than worth the risk-reward. With good stable weather, the fish can be as hungry as July and willing to eat the fly aggressively.  This is a great time to find floating bonefish as well as tailing bonefish.  One can target double digit bonefish during these times.  Permit and Tarpon will also be found just like July.  Tarpon won't like any drops in water temps so anglers wanting chances at larger tarpon will need stable warm weather.

November - December can produce exceptional fishing days during the right stable high pressure weather.   The Fall tends to have less wind than the Spring so we think it is a good risk-reward to fish during these months as well.  As long as one understands that the fishing may be tougher one or two days during the week if any cold front passes, the fishing during the good weather can be great.

What are the average fishing expectations during different seasons in Cuba?

Fishing expectations have to be tailored to the skill of every angler. The beauty about fly fishing Cuba is the unpressured fish and their willingness to eat the fly aggressively. 

For instance, during the migration in April and May, the tarpon attack a properly presented fly.  The angler just needs to get the fly in front of the tarpon to see a violent eat.  New anglers might get up to 10 eats a day.  Intermediate and experienced flats anglers can expect to get 10-20+ eats during the day.   It's very common for 2 anglers to be hooked up with Tarpon at the same time.

Fishing is exceptional in July.  Anglers can expect to land all the flats species during this time.  Bone fishing is exceptional during this time with newer anglers experiencing catching 10-20+ bone fish in the 4-10+lb range a day if they choose to focus on bones.  Permit are readily available and willing to eat the fly.   More experienced casters and flats anglers have shots at multiple permit a day in the 8-20+lb range.  In the right locations, Snook are cruising the beaches and willing to eat.  Larger tarpon will be found around the reef inlets, channels and red water. Baby tarpon can be sought after in the mangroves.

October - December are similar to July, with a great mix of fish. Fishing will be exceptional when the weather is great.  It's another great time for anglers to target grand slams as well.  

Are there other species to catch during the Tarpon migration in April-May?

Bonefish are always available during April-May and that fishing can be great.  Permit fishing can be good as well.  However, most people focus on the tarpon, but bycatch fishing is also exceptional.  Mutton and Cubera Snapper can be had anytime of the year as well.

What are the fishing conditions and expectations in July?

Again, we think July offers the most stable and predictable conditions for anglers of all skill levels. For those wanting to catch all the species and asking for the best, most reliable month for fishing Cuba, we say July.  Bonefish are hungry and abundant.  It's not uncommon for a skiff to land over 40 bones a day in the 4-10+lb range.  Permit fishing is typically exceptional with anglers having shots on Permit that are swimming off rays as well as swimming the flats in schools.  The water is really warm, which makes the fish really hungry.  Tarpon are also available to complete the grand slam.

What are the fishing conditions and expectations in October, November, and December?

These months offer a great mix of fish with cooler water temperatures. While there are potential weather issues with Fall fishing, they are more stable months than the Spring.  With great weather, the fishing can be as good as in July. Another aspect of this Fall season is that the area's fish have not been fished for a couple of months (August-Sept) due to the hurricane season.  They will be very receptive to the fly in October.

What is the best time for non-picky anglers to go flats fishing in Cuba when they can have the best opportunities to catch lots of all the flats species?

July is the most stable month in terms of weather and fishing conditions. It is hot but not too windy, making it ideal for fishing.  The Early Fall being the next best time.

How important is the tide during each season?

While tides are always important to get fish moving, the weather is far more important in Cuba than the tides. Cuba does not have much tidal movement.  If one had the chance to pick, they would pick the better weather vs the tide.

We choose to fish the best moon phases, which help the tidal movement of water.  But again, good weather will be far more a factor than good tides.  The best conditions are the best tides during the best moons with the best weather, that's what we plan and hope for...

Can you compare fishing in Cuba to other locations?

Cuba offers an exceptional fishery for all the flats species.  Because the waters are protected from commercial fishing and the angling days are limited, the fish are some of the most aggressive fly eaters of any flats in the world.  The bonefish in Cayo Largo average 5lbs and big ones are double digits.  These types of bones are just not common in other places like the Yucatan, Belize, and Mexico. 

The permit are typcially double digit size permit with larger permit being over 20+lbs.   Permit are always permit but the Cuban permit, at the right times, are extremely hungry and will eat the fly readily.

During the tarpon migration in April-May, the Cuban tarpon are the most aggressive clear water tarpon one will likely ever experience.  The tarpon will compete with one another to attack the fly.   It is completely opposite of the Florida tarpon migration experience.  While these tarpon are a bit smaller than their Florida counterparts, most anglers would prefer to have 10-20 eats a day with a slightly smaller fish than 1-3 eats a week with a slightly larger fish.  Cuba does have some larger tarpon for the more experience angler but one must be very accurate to cast to them so that another tarpon doesn't eat the fly first...

In our opinion, the fishing experience in Cuba is unique and superior.  It is unmatched when it comes to flats species that are consistently aggressive to the fly with quality size.

Will people have the same experience if they travel outside the recommended windows?

Most likely not. They may have a good trip if they get lucky with the weather and guides, but due to Cuba's large size and variable conditions, they won't get the same experience we are mentioning here.