Summer Season

Cayo Largo should be considered Cuba's fly fishing PREMIERE destination!!! It is the OVERALL FAVORITE location for Stillwater Travel in Cuba.

Its vast pristine flats extended for miles and miles and miles. They are loaded with massive schools of bonefish as well as the ever-elusive Permit that follows them. Many of our clients can't believe the size of schools of Bonefish they often encounter, quality Bonefish that avg 5+lbs. Fly anglers can expect to be overwhelmed by the vast diversity and quality of this fishery.

From April through the summer months, particularly July, Cayo Largo really shines. While Cayo Largo doesn't experience the migratory tarpon that Islands of the Youth does, its Bonefishing and Permit fishing more than makeup for it. The pre-spawn time in May for Bonefish can be simply incredible. Massive Bonefish by the hundreds are looking to eat anything in their path.

JULY is our favorite month to fly fish Cuba and Cayo Largo's extensive flats. The water is warm and the fish are extremely aggressive to the fly as they prowl the white sands. It's not uncommon to see several schools of hundreds to thousands of Bonefish all within eyesight. Permit love to follow these schools of Bonefish and pick off the shrimp and crabs spooked by the Bones. It isn't uncommon to get dozens of opportunities to throw the fly to Permit in the 10-20lb range. Experienced Permit anglers can expect to catch multiple Permit a week, and some really good days. This makes July the PRIME TIME for GRAND SLAM opportunities.

If one wants to fish the Tarpon migration, please DO NOT fish Cayo Largo. They do not experience the typical tarpon migration like IDJ. Join us in ISLANDS OF THE YOUTH to participate in the tarpon migration. However, Tarpon can be found throughout the various flats, especially in the "red water" which occurs after night rain showers. The juvenille tarpon will be hiding in the mangroves. Snook,5-15lbs, will also be found on the beaches and in the mangroves. Barracuda, Mutton and Cubera Snapper offer anglers a real plethora of species to chase daily.

Fall/Winter

Fly fishing Cuba in October and into early Fall offers anglers an exceptional flats fishing experience at a great value. When the weather shines, the fish will be eager to eat a fly. During the calm, warm periods, the fishing can be outstanding. All the flats species, Bonefish, Permit, Snook, and Tarpon, will be actively searching for food.

As it gets deeper into Fall, then windy days do come. Strong winds from the North will impact the fishing in a negative manner. There will still be fishing options that can give anglers a chance to succeed but many of the top fishing spots on the North flats will be unfishable due to milky water or white caps.

STILLWATER HOSTED TRIP DATES

Stillwater Travel Hosted 2024 Dates:

May 4-11 SOLD OUT
July 13-20 SOLD OUT
July 20-27 SOLD OUT
Oct 5-12 SOLD OUT
Nov 30- Dec 7 SOLD OUT
Dec 7-14 SOLD OUT

Stillwater Travel Hosted 2025 Dates:

July 12-19. SOLD OUT
July 19-26. 4 Spots Available
Oct 4-11. SOLD OUT
Oct 11-18 6 Spots Available

Stillwater Travel Hosted 2026 Dates

April 11-18 SOLD OUT
April 18-25 2 Waitlist Spots
May 16-23 SOLD OUT
July 11-18 5 Spots
July 18-25 6 Spots
July 25-Aug 1 Full Boat Available 10 spots

MANY SPOTS are SOLD OUT to returning customers. Please contact us if you are interested in joining future trips during the Tarpon Migration OR July/October trips so we can plan ahead to get you a spot in 2027.

Please Email or Call to be added to the waitlist for 2027 dates and beyond

High Season

APRIL – JULY $9,500-$13,000

Super Grand Slams and Grand slams will be available to anglers during this time frame as well. Permit (10-20+lbs), Bonefish(4-11+lbs) and Snook (5-15lbs) will be on the flats seeking food. 

PRIME TIME for Super Grand Slams and Grand Slams. The weather is warm, the water is warm and the fish on the flats are hungry. Large schools of Bonefish can be found on the flats, many times accompanied by a school of Permit. Snook are found on the beaches and mangroves.

JULY IS THE PRIME TIME for anglers looking to catch the overall best time for catching ALL the flats species. We suggest JULY for all newer flats anglers as they are guaranteed great flats fishing and tremendous success.

Low season $7,500-8,500

FALL- OCTOBER-DECEMBER
October offers a great value time of year to chase the diversity of Cayo Largo's flats species. Typically, the weather remains warm and the fishing on the flats stays very good as long as the water stays warm. The fish have been unmolested as the fishery has been closed since the end of July due to hurricane season.

Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Snook and Mutton Snapper will be the main targeted species. It is not uncommon to fish at massive schools of Bonefish. Permit can be found around those schools of Bonefish. Tarpon will be around in the channels, mangroves and occasionally on the flats.

As the North wind gets stronger and more consistent further into Nov-Dec, the fishing will get tougher and tougher. If the wind blows from the North at over 20mph for several days, the fish will move off the flats and the fishing will slow to a near halt.

Flats fishing usually depends heavily on good stable weather. If you are fortunate to have good weather, the fishing likely will be very good anytime from Oct - Dec. As long as one understands the risks of the cold fronts coming in Nov-Dec and how that can hurt the fishing, they can determine whether they want to risk the weather or not.

WINTER - JAN-MARCH

In Cayo Largo, weather is BY FAR the most unpredictable during this season. Typically, the most predictable weather will be strong winds from the North. This is NO BUENO for flats fishing. The water temperature will drop and the fish will leave the flats in droves.

If one does get lucky and have good weather, the fishing will be ok. For us, the risk IS NOT worth the reward for traveling to Cayo Largo and fishing during what will likely be bad weather for flats fishing 70% or more of the time.

We DO NOT advise people to fish during this season due to the weather unpredictability. If one must go during this time, PLEASE understand the risks.

This is the season when clients who booked their trips elsewhere, often travel to Cuba and end up NOT having the type of fishing experience they expected. We DO NOT want our clients to be surprised by bad weather. We want to provide honest feedback to our clients.

In our experiences during this season, the RISK of bad weather with strong winds from the North FAR OUTWEIGH the rewards of potentially good fishing so we do not travel to Cayo Largo during this season.

We HOST more clients to CUBA each year than anyone in the world. This is what WE LOVE TO DO.

We take care of all the logistics for your trip. We ONLY suggest to clients to travel to CUBA on one of our hosted trips. Cuba can be full of variables that the average angler may not know how to deal with.

We know Cuba and we know how to deal with the variables it may throw at you. We want you to concentrate on the great fishing, not the logisitics....

Liveaboard

Lodging in Cayo Largo is aboard the JA1.

This spacious 110-foot live-aboard yacht has ten rooms with 2 being convertible queen-sized cabins featuring side by side beds and eight deluxe rooms, each with two single beds. Each room comes equipped with a private bathroom, toilet, hot shower, individual climate controls, and a safe.

Whether you are looking for a quiet place to read, a place to sunbathe, a warm jacuzzi to relax, or a bar to tell your fish stories at, the mothership provides more than enough space to accommodate any activities.

The food aboard the JAI consists of a beautiful selection of Cuban cuisine, grilled fresh seafood and vegetables, and many international delights. The chef is well versed in many different styles and will be sure to amaze you during your stay. Also, there is a full bar with a selection of Cuban beers and rum, international wines, and a variety of spirits. Our attentive crew will be there to take care of your every need and make sure you have a wonderful trip.

Life on the live-aboard is relaxed and completely customizable. With the yacht keeping us close to the fishing grounds, the commutes are short, allowing you to fish as long as you would like to each day. You can read more details about the benefits of life on a liveaboard here.

These suggestions are for the Angler looking for the basic idea of what to bring on this trip. If you would like our in-depth and concise checklist, you can request it HERE. We have one of the largest inventories for saltwater gear in the country. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff are here to help you.If this doesn’t fit your budget, we also have rental equipment for your trip.

Rod: 9’ 8wt. – (Bonefish) Speed and accuracy: G Loomis Asquith Fly Rod
Reel: Shilton SR Fly Reel
Line: Scientific Anglers Amplitude Bonefish Fly Line

Rod: 9’ 10wt. – (Permit/Tarpon) Easiest loading rod in the market: Scott Sector Fly Rod
Reel: Nautilus CCF X2 Silver King
Line: Scientific Anglers Amplitude Tarpon Fly Line

Rod: 9’ 12wt. – (Tarpon) Quick efficient casts are a breeze: Sage Maverick Fly Rod
Reel: Nautilus CCF X2 Silver King
Line: Scientific Anglers Amplitude Tarpon Fly Line

• Sunscreen
• Saltwater Pliers with cutter
• Polarized sunglasses (we recommend Smith’s low light ignitor lens)
• Small waterproof pack for wading
• Reusable bottle for water
• Flats wading boots
• Breathable rain gear
• Bug repellant - cream suggested