That's a difficult choice when comes time to select fishing lures 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 equipments 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 lures selection which are in our eyes of the sure values, because they proved reliable !
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, particulary 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, don't confused with the C5 color.
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 caracteristique, to be used during cloudy daytime.
Also in the "Crystal Minnow" family, the DD look 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" and the 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 has a tight wiggling action that perfectly mimics the motion of swimming fish. Used it during clear daylight
Also in the "Crystal Minnow" family, the DD look 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" and the 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 has a tight wiggling action that perfectly mimics the motion of swimming fish. Used it during cloudy or rainy day. The HT color is also named "Tropical" color in Cuba with dark back, yellow greenish body and a orange belly. Really visible in low light condition.
This suspending lure swim frantically to a depth of 24 to 36 inches and stay there even if you stop your retreive and the lure sit. It's a perfect lures for all location with strong current. Cast it and brought in sub-surface with slowm steady retreive. The perche color is actualy a fresh water color, but Tarpons seem love it. We use it during sunset. Size: 5 1/4" long with 3/4 oz weight. Size: 5 1/4" long with 3/4 oz weight.
This suspending lure swim frantically to a depth of 24 to 36 inches and stay there even if you stop your retreive and the lure sit. It's a perfect lures for location with strong current. Cast it and brought in sub-surface with slowm steady retreive. The hot tiger color is perfect for tarpon during low light condition and during night time. The HT color is also named "Tropical" color in Cuba with dark back, yellow greenish body and a orange belly. Size: 5 1/4" long with 3/4 oz weight.
Four inches long with 5/8 oz weight is a good lure when fishing in strong current condition. Sometime you want the lure stay in the same area without any retreive but even producing vibe. In nature, small baitfish don't run up the current they stay in the same area, moving they fin just to fight the current. This lure imitate perfectly this action (vibe with no retreive). 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 lures for lazy fishermen. Excellent on Tarpon and Jack Cravel, use it when the weather is calm. (Less wind)
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 for Big cubera and big snapper fishing. The size 4 3/4" / 1-1/16oz equally effective when cast and retrieved. Very effective during windy condition.
On season 2008, 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 retreived as a singular lure. As a sinking twichbait lure, it need to be brought in with a slow motion on sub-surface. it generating practically no vibe, it should be manipulated like a Jig in a current. Most of the time, tarpon attack when it stay in stationary mode.
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 reach 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 suprised.
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 becom spooky. It reach 10-20 feet depth, the black/silver color imitate local baitfish (sardinas). 3-1/4 long with 1oz weight. Use it like a 77M, You will be suprised.
In average, we bring 15 to 20 lures for the week. Depends where you go fishing, you can lost many lures. The best advise is "Put a strong leader" otherwise you will get in trouble especially with barracudas. I prefer fluocarbon leader for snapper, tarpon, cuberra fishing. But, if there's a lot of barracuda, steel remains the best choice.
All lures described above are available at Pêche SUD Saltwater fishing tackles.
