In November 2017 we returned for the second season of the new Zapata Peninsula operation in Cuba. This year we took 2 weeks of hosted trips aboard the Georgiana fishing the remote Cuban waters of the Zapata Peninsula. Our groups had some great fly fishing for permit and bonefish. Kevin Pallett reports…..
I have just returned from the second week of our hosted weeks aboard the live aboard boat the Georgiana, fishing the Zapata marine reserve in Cuba.
Whilst both weeks had unsettled weather the fish came on the feed, with 2 Grandslams on both weeks. Congratulations to Mickey D a regular client for his 2 Slams on the first week, whilst Bernard D also managed a nice permit. Many bonefish were also had with a fine 8lber going to James.
I turned up with the group for the second week with expectations running high, the fishing certainly didn’t disappoint with 2 slams to Sean C and myself, 6 permit were landed with Alex W and Jonathan joining in the action. There were also several permit missed and lost, sadly everyone’s favourite guest Teddy hooked and lost his first permit (there’s always next year Ted ! ) Once again many bonefish were caught with Richard managing 2 x 8 lbers in a day while wading! Both weeks managed tarpon with one of the best going to Bernard.
Big lessons were learned on both weeks, firstly having the right permit fly and many thanks to Jonathan Lawrence for tying and suppling his JL Zapata crab pattern. One of his flies taking 2 permit and a bonefish, but both myself and Bernard lost good fish with shop bought flies that we were experimenting with! One hook being crushed and braking the other opening out, so our advice is to either tie your own flies on quality hooks or have the desired pattern tied on best quality hooks do not compromise when permit fishing!
The Georgiana is a comfortable and practical boat to live aboard with the crew being well organised in getting the skiffs ready and out each day. The boat is anchored up in the middle of the vast Zapata reserve meaning that some flats are just minutes from the boat.
The food is great with the cook making the most of freshly caught fish and lobster. On arrival back at the end of the days fishing a welcoming mojito awaits you and a pre-dinner snack of pizza to enjoy whilst relaxing and talking over the days action.