Now that relations are changing maybe we will get to fish there. Some of the best bass fishing in the world is there. Back 30 years ago I was blessed and got to make 2 trips there. Spent a week bass fishing both times. First trip I caught 6 over 10 and 3 over 10 on the 2nd trip. Most were caught drifting 12" worms Carolina rigged and trolling DB 3's.
Back then a 10 Lbr was a true trophy.

I was thinking the same thing I have heard some crazy stories about fishing down there

Its all you can imagine and the some. 6 of us went on the first trip and had 22 over 10

Sounds like a REAL bass fishing trip!

I went also back in mid 80s. I have been told that the lakes and canals we fished have all been gill netted out or drained. If this is true that is sad but those poor people needed to eat.

9094 who did you go with?
I went with Clovis R on both trips. I think the name of the small lake we fished was Granada. It was a several hours out of Havana up in the mountains

The conditions are perfect to grow an amazing fishery even if it has been fished out. Maybe someone will open up some camps similar to mexico

Doubt it has been fished out. I made 2 trips and then got a call from the "State Dept" and they suggested I not make the trip. All the others in our party got the same call.
Scuttle but haad it that Ray Scott of BASS complained because he wanted to have Tournaments there but they wouldnt let him.
Bill Norman and James Robinson were on one of the trips I went on.

Treasure Lake?

Been trying to remember the name of the lake. Something like Gernasa (sp)

David,
I knew Clovis well. I remember when he told me about the call. I went earlier with several of the BASS guys. I never went again so didn't get the call. A lot of them did. I dont remember the lake names. But the "guides" had to hack canals to get into some.
The people were all very nice, the food was awful and the fishing was unbelievable. If the fishing is still good I will go back.

I read about Castro's big push to catch trophy bass but I'm doubting the fishing is still too good given the economic climate over the last twenty years.

I hope the fishing is great as I'd love to go.

Something tells me Ronnie Jr already has his feelers out.

Went twice in 1979, fished Treasure and Zaza the first trip and only Zaza the second. Fishing on Treasure was nothing to write home about except having a 30+ tarpon try to rip the rod out of my hands. Zaza another story, saw a 16 and several over 12. We had a 12 and a couple of 10+ and a bunch of 6-9 lb. fish. But the second trip the dam had a leak and they didn't seem to mind or want to fix it. So if I headed back I'd sure be careful about what lake I fished and would want some first hand reports from other than the promoters. We went with a guy who I think may have ended up in jail for a short time by getting crossways with the US government. Beautiful country and if the lake is right one heck of a fishery.

Chet:
Looks like you are our contact guy. You never forget anything and know what was once the best lakes in Cuba. If a man had $10k to go and stay over there for 30 days, fishing all of them possible then this would be the thing to do. I am all for being in on the ground floor for the return of Cuba fishing.

Waiting for a outfitter to open up a place on a couple of them doesn't mean a thing. They are going to advertise what they have sunk the money into good or bad. This could take years. You can't have the leisure facilities and locate the big bass lakes that still produce. You just need contacts in Cuba with a means of transportation, adequate boat, knowledge of the lakes, somewhere to sleep, some food and clean water to drink.

All we need is one good contact with a Email address and we are half way there. All I need is a partner and I am ready to go and find out.

9094 Clovis was a good man and a heck of a fisherman. Man that was a long time ago. The food was good when we stayed. Just no choice on what was served