Best fishing lures to use in CUBA

That's a difficult choice when comes time to select fishing lure for a fishing trip in Cuba, and then you surf on Internet and hit on this site. All we can say ! you are at the right place, all our choices are based on our experiments and not on advertising. During our last fishing travel, we met many fishermen in Cuba (local or international) who have talked about the best equipment and lures to use in Cuba, this has enabled us to make our own selections and our own tests. After seven years of fishing in CUBA, we made a good lure's selections which are in our eyes of the sure values because they proved reliable ! All these lures are available on WWW.PECHESUD.COM.

Fishing popper Sabalo

After few years fishing on saltwater, popper has become my favorite fishing method. Usable as casting lure or for trolling, Yes, for trolling. Great way to explore new fishing spot without worry hanging lure on coral reef. You always know if it's positioned in a productive area. Like trolling with a big fly when fishing for trout, you will feel the bites but also see spectacular attacks. Fishing becomes more interactive, less random. Seeing a movement on the surface, your sense of predator will coming out, searching for a big prey, the popper will become your favorite tool, when it's launched in the zone, it makes noise, disturbs and suddenly ; Bang! the battle begins.

Exotic fish will attack surface lures with no hesitation. The bait fishs are found mostly near the surface (e.g. sardines), moving in shoals of thousands individuals, they cause bubbling on the water, making predators crazy. We tested different poppers, in general they worked well, but sometimes they are too small or too big or haven't right colors. So this year we decided to create a popper with a size and weight suitable for our needs. They are made on a wooden base and coated with water-repellent, epoxy, clear for maximum strength, we also add holographic effects and organic color, with 53 grams weight and 15 inches long, we named it "Sabalo" paying tribute to the silver king (tarpon). The "Sabalo" create ripples and vibrations with low frequencies, a typical effect of wooden's lures.

All our popper are armed with PermaSteel saltwater hooks (VMC 9626ps or Owner ST-66), Wolvering triple split rings (no display on pictures), we want something reliable on heavy pressure. The central wire is .062 (1/16") diameter Stainless steel, the swivel has a resistance of 150 lbs. They are made for large predators.

Each "Sabalo" popper is finished by hand, requires several hours of work and has a unique identity. It's custom's popper and quantities are limited, we only use very high quality products. There is no fixed colour range for sabalo poppers; they're painted at the artists whim.

The sea is boundless, but our passion have no limit.


Color choice:

Sabalo SHP - Hot pepper - Red, orange, yellow, holographic belly
Sabalo SBS - Bloody silver - Red head, white & holographic body
Sabalo STR - Tropical - Cobalt blue,yellow gold,orange holo belly
Sabalo SBL - Blue lagoon - Blue, green, gold, holographic belly
Sabalo SBP - Black - purple, green, silver holographic belly

Yo-zuri Crystal minnow F8-GHRH Floating

Like a «Master key », we use it for tarpon, barracuda, "pargo" mutton snapper fishing. We use it when we are in search of new fishing spot. It's excellent for trolling, especially in 4 to 15' depth, particularly above coral reef. With 5 ¼" long and an unbeatable reflexion, the F8-GHRH has a maximum visibility. On our last fishing trip in 2008, we use in muddy water looking for tarpons. More productive during daytime when the sky is clear. It's important to choose the GHRH color, do not confuse with the C5 color.

Yo-zuri Crystal minnow F8-GHIW Floating

Use this lure when fish refuses to bite, specially during winter season or during a cold front period. We tried it in January during our last fishing trip in Cayo COCO. We got a really good result on "Dorado" with this lure. With its 5"1/4 long, black back and a holographic side reflexion, it's a really good lure for trolling (water between 4 to 15 feet)

Yo-zuri Crystal minnow F8-C27 Floating

This one is in Green Mackerel, this color was recommended by local fishermen, it's a good color for pargos (Mutton snapper) fishing. With all the F8 characteristic, to be used during cloudy daytime.

Yo-Zuri Crystal minnow DD R539-GHRH (Deep trolling Max 20')

In the "Crystal Minnow" family, the DD looks like a F8-GHRH with a longer lip, the difference lies in the swim depth, we use it for fishing in the "Fosa" or pits in the pursuit of tarpons, pargo and cubera. During our tests, we tried the 5 1/4" long and a smaller size 4 3/8" with 9/16 oz weight. The last one was better, it was easier to troll with a light fishing rod, except if you have a boat rod. It got a tight wiggling action that perfectly mimics the motion of swimming fish. We use it when the sky is clear.

Yo-Zuri Crystal minnow DD R539-HT (Deep trolling max. 20')

Also in the "Crystal Minnow" family, the DD looks like a F8-GHRH with a longer lip, the difference lies in the swim depth, we use it for fishing in the "Fosa" or pits in the pursuit of tarpons, pargo and cubera. During our tests, we tried the 5 1/4" long and a smaller size 4 3/8" with 9/16 oz weight. The last one was better, it was easier to troll with a light fishing rod, except if you have a boat rod. It got a tight wiggling action that perfectly mimics the motion of swimming fish. The HT color also named "Tropical" color in Cuba with dark back, yellow greenish body and an orange belly. Really visible in low light condition, we use it during cloudy or rainy day.

Yo-zuri Crystal minnow R469-PC (Suspending)

This suspending lure swim frantically to a depth of 24 to 36 inches and stay, even if you stop your retrieval and the lure sit. It's a perfect lure for all locations where the current is strong. Cast it and brought in sub-surface with slow steady retrieve. The perch color is actually a freshwater color, but tarpons seems to love it. We use it at sunset. Size: 5 1/4" long with 3/4 oz weight. Size: 5 1/4" long with 3/4 oz weight.

Yo-zuri Crystal minnow R469-HT (Suspending)

This suspending lure swim frantically to a depth of 24 to 36 inches and stay, even if you stop your retrieval and the lure sit. It's a perfect lure for location with strong current. Cast it and brought in sub-surface with slow steady retrieve. The hot tiger color is perfect for tarpon during low light condition and during nighttime. The HT color is also named "Tropical" color in Cuba with dark back, yellow greenish body and an orange belly. Size: 5 1/4" long with 3/4 oz weight.

Yo-Zuri 3D Minnow 100 (Suspending / Vibe)

Four inches long with 5/8 oz weight is a good lure when fishing in strong current condition. When you want to keep your lure in the same area without any retrieval and still producing vibe, that's the right lure. In nature, small bait fish don't run up the current they stay in the same area, moving their fins just to fight the current. This lure imitate perfectly this action (vibe without retrieval). Just cast it in the current, brought in sub-surface until you reach a one or two feet depth and let it work alone. Sometime, we throw the lure in the current, wedge the rod and wait. It's a perfect lure for lazy fishermen. Excellent on Tarpon and Jack Cravel, use it when the weather is calm. (Less wind)

Yo-Zuri Hydro Magnum R386-GM

Use this lure for big game fishing. It can reach depths of 15 to 20 feet, Through-wire construction makes this trolling lure extremely durable. We use it on big cubera and big snapper fishing. The size 4 3/4" / 1-1/16oz equally effective if you cast and retrieve. Good on windy condition.

MirrOlure 77M11 (Sinking Twitchbait)

During 2008 season, this lure was on the top, excellent on tarpon, jack cravel, cubera snapper. With 1-1/4oz weight and 4-1/4 long, it's perfect during windy days. The only thing to know that lure should not be retrieved as a singular lure. As a sinking twitch bait lure, it needs to be brought in with a slow motion on sub-surface. Generating practically no vibe, it should be manipulated like a Jig in a current. Most of the time, tarpon attack when it stays in stationary mode.

MirrOlure 65M11 (Sinking Twitchbait)

Smaller than 77M, the 65M is more compact, it goes deeper and faster. You can use it as vertical jig, we use it near structures or when tarpons become spooky. It reaches 10-20 feet depth, the red/silver color is more visible when fishing below the surface. 3-1/4 long with 1oz weight. Use it like a 77M, you will be surprised.

MirrOlure 65M21 (Sinking Twitchbait)

Smaller than 77M, the 65M is more compact, it goes deeper and faster. You can use it as vertical jig, we use it near structures or when tarpon becomes spooky. It reaches 10-20 feet depth, the black/silver color imitate local bait fish (sardinas). 3-1/4 long with 1oz weight. Use it like a 77M, you will be surprised.

Halco Roosta popper

Sea popper, popper with a good value for your money. Surface Lure, perfect for coral reefs fishing or in open channels. Pleasant and easy to cast with a meduim fishing rod (strength). Available in two models: 105 mm (30 g) or 135 mm (47gr).

In Cayo Parédon, we used large poppers for trolling and smaller model for fishing on submerged reefs (1 meter deep). The poppers should always be part of your tackle box.

Tips

In average, we bring 15 to 20 lures for the week. It depends on where you go fishing, you can lose many lures. The best advice is "Put a strong leader" otherwise you will get in trouble especially with barracudas. I prefer fluorocarbon leader for snapper, tarpon, cubera fishing. But, if there's a lot of barracuda, steel remains the best choice. When you fish on coral reef with popper and searching for big cubera, try a twisted nylon leader.

Where to find these lures

All lures described above are available at Pêche SUD Saltwater fishing tackles.

Fishing in Cuba - Best lures for Tarpon, Carangue, Cubera, pargo (Mutton snapper), barracuda