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Zapata Peninsula – Cuba

Location: South-central coast of Cuba

Fishery: Zapata is an incredible inshore fishery that resembles a less pressured Florida Bay. A mangrove swamp that extends to expansive sand and coral flats that you’ll be able to both wade and fish from a skiff. These flats are feeding grounds for an abundance of bonefish averaging from 3-5lbs. Permit cruise the flats edges looking for meals. The lagoons, flats and channels are home to juvenile tarpon. Big tarpon show up in the spring.

Accomodations: The 100′ Georgiana is your mothership in Zapata. It’s spacey and comfortable with well-appointed bathrooms and showers. The food is fresh and simple consisting of chicken and pork, and a variety of freshly caught seafood.

Fishing Program:

  • 7:00 AM Breakfast
  • 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM Board skiffs and depart for flats
  • Anglers can choose to return to ship for lunch or bring lunch out on the skiffs
  • Fishing days are long and can be customized to your liking

Sample Itinerary:

  • Overnight in Havana
  • From Havana your guide will take you overland to the skiffs waiting in the channel to take you to the mothership

Rates:
Per person based on double occupancy:
At time of writing, subject to change

February 20 – March 27 and July 3 – 31
7 night/6 day package: $5,250 plus $300 conservation and open bar fees (based on a group of 8)

March 27 – July 3
7 night/6 day package: $5,750 plus $300 conservation and open bar fees (based on a group of 8)

Included: All accommodations and meals, 6 days guided fishing, 6 beverages per day (beer, soda and water)

Not Included: Round trip airfare to Havana, fishing tackle, personal expenses, staff & guide gratuities

Season: Year-round

Capacity: 8 anglers

All arrangements are handled by our trusty friends at Fly Water Travel.

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Gear Guide

Bonefish Flies

  •   Features

    • Stiffness of calf tail allows the sili legs to flow in the current
    • Extremely effective on bonefish in the Bahamas and Mexico
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  •   Features

    • Excellent bonefish pattern around the globe, especially the Bahamas and Caribbean
    • Bunny fur wing pulses in current even when the fly isn’t stripped
    • Clear legs with silver flake give bonefish an attractive glimmer to key in on
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  •   Features

    • Epoxy head and rubber legs imitate small crabs
    • Proven effective on shallow bones in areas of South and Central America such as Mexico and Belize
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  •   Features

    • Seriously effective on tailers and bonefish in skinny water
    • Lands softly, rides hook up
    • Must have for the Bahamas
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  •   Features

    • Great for Bonefish everywhere
    • Tough, durable & shrimpy looking fly
    • Tied with a prong style weedguard
    • BC stands for Bead Chain eyes
    • #2 approx. 2.50″ long; #1/0 approx. 3″ long
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  •   Features

    • Classic Bonefish fly that works everywhere
    • Larger the fly the heavier it is
    • Tied on a Tiemco 811S
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  •   Features

    • Classic Bonefish fly that works everywhere
    • Bead Chain Eyes work best in shallow water
    • Tied on a Tiemco 811S
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  •   Features

    • Designed for the flats of the Caribbean
    • Tied with Bead Chain Eyes for shallower water
    • Craft Fur and Rubber Legs will add a ton of movement
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  • Gotcha – #8, #6, #4
  • Bone Appetite – #4 Tan
  • Beck’s Sili Legs – #6 Tan, #4 Tan
  • Crazy Charlie – #8 Tan, #6 Tan, #4 Tan
  • Mantis Shrimp – #8, #6, #4
  • EP Spawning Shrimp – #6 BC Tan, #4 BC Tan, #4 Tan
  • Bonefish Bitters – #6 Amber
  • Tailer’s Beware – #6

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Save 10% vs Getting Each Fly and the Box Individually

Cuba Flats Box - Lg (bonefish & permit) $206.29 0 available

Permit Flies

  •   Features

    • Specifically designed with Permit in mind
    • Tied with a keel with beads that rattle & help the sink rate
    • Lightweight version had med Plated Lead Eyes and standard size has lg
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  •   Features

    • Great for big Bonefish and Permit
    • Tough, durable & shrimpy looking fly
    • Tied on a Gamakatsu SL11-3H with a prong style weedguard
    • Approx. 2.75″ long (to end of flash)
    • BC stands for Bead Chain eyes
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  •   Features

    • Great crab pattern for Bonefish, Permit and Redfish
    • Tied on a Gamakatsu SC15
    • All have weedguards
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  •   Features

    • Great crab pattern for Permit, Bonefish and Redfish
    • Tied on a Gamakatsu SC15
    • All have weedguards
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  •   Features

    • Great crab pattern for Permit, Bonefish and Redfish
    • #6 has a prong mono weed guard, #2 has no weed guard
    • Sizes #2: 1″ x 7/8″; #6: 3/4″ x 3/4″
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  •   Features

    • Classic Bonefish fly that works everywhere
    • Bead Chain Eyes work best in shallow water
    • Tied on a Tiemco 811S
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  •   Features

    • Classic Permit fly that works everywhere
    • Heavy lead eyes to drop in front of fish quickly
    • Tied on a Tiemco 811S
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  • Avalon Permit Fly – #2, #2 Lightweight
  • Slater’s Strong Arm Merkin – #2
  • EP Crab – #8 Tan, #8 Golden Sand
  • McCrab – #4
  • Mantis Shrimp – #4, #2
  • EP Ascension Shrimp – #6 Golden Sand, #6 Ghost, #1 Golden Sand, #1 Ghost
  • Flexo Crab – #2 Sand
  • EP Descendent Crab – 2/0 Tan

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Tarpon Flies

  •   Features

    • A Bob Lemay tarpon fly with the perfect amount of movement
    • Color selection to match water conditions
    • Tied on extremely strong/sharp Tiemco 600SP
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  •   Features

    • Great for tanic Back Country situations
    • Tough, durable & realistic looking fly
    • Tied on a super sharp Gamakatsu SC15 with a prong style weedguard
    • Approx. 3″ long
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  •   Features

    • Great for tanic Back Country situations
    • Tough, durable & realistic looking fly
    • Tied on a super sharp Gamakatsu SC15 with a prong style weedguard
    • Approx. 3″ long
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  •   Features

    • Great for offshore and inshore species
    • Tough, durable & realistic looking fly
    • Tied on a super sharp Gamakatsu SC15
    • #1/0 is 2″ long; #2/0 is 3″ long; #3/0 is 5″ long (no weedguard on #3/0)
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  •   Features

    • Great for Tarpon worldwide
    • Wide profile let the Tarpon see it well
    • Tied on a Gamakatsu SC15
    • Approx. 3.50″ long
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  •   Features

    • Lands softly and has a lot of movement with short strips
    • Go-to for laid-up and moving tarpon
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  •   Features

    • A must-have clear-water tarpon fly
    • Crab-like head with fluttery marabou tail proves irresistible
    • Easily visible when fished
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  • Big Eye Tarpon Toad – 1/0 Orange/Grizzly, 1/0 Brown, 1/0 Sand Devil, 1/0 Yellow
  • Laid-Up Tarpon Fly – 1/0 Chartreuse, 1/0 Tan
  • EP Tarpon Streamer – 2/0 Black/Purple
  • EP Peanut Butter – 2/0 Black/Purple, 3/0 Black/Purple
  • Tarpon Tapa – 1/0 Tan/Brown, 1/0 Tan/Orange
  • Tarpon Toad – 1/0 Chartreuse, 1/0 Purple/Black, 1/0 Orange
  • EP Back Country – 2/0 Brown/Orange
  • EP Mangrove Baitfish – 2/0

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Fly Rods

  •   Features

    • Matte Midnight blank
    • Reel seat is type III anodized aluminum Midnight black w/Matte Midnight carbon insert
    • Blue accent wrap, black/black main wraps
    • REC recoil snake guides, SiC/titanium stripping guides
    • Reinforced blank increases loop strength and dampens vibration for straighter tracking and a truer cast
    • American made
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  • Scott Sector Fly Rod Video & Review

    Features

    • Guides are PVD coated in a low reflective coating for even greater durability and stealth.
    • Scott’s all new Carbon Web technology improves torsional stability.
    • Reel seat milled from aircraft grade aluminum.
    • CeRecoil stripping guides with nickel titanium frames and super slick Zirconia inserts.
    • Unmatched reliability for easily duplicated performance on the water.
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  • Fast-action 9′ 8 weight for bonefish and small permit, and baby tarpon
  • Fast-action 9′ 10 weight for big permit and medium tarpon
  • Fast-action 9′ 11 for big tarpon

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Reels

  •   Features

    • Reel frame, spool, drag knob and foot made of 6061-T651 cold finished aerospace grade aluminum
    • Alternating stacked carbon composite and stainless steel disc drag system
    • Quick change spool, user convertible retrieval direction
    • Completely sealed drag system
    • Made in USA
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  •   Features

    • Designed to balance perfectly with lighter rods
    • Zero start-up inertia and precise low-end control protects light tippets
    • Lighter version of the sealed and maintenance-free carbon and stainless steel disc drag
    • Adjusts from zero to full drag in a single drag knob rotation
    • 30% lighter and 30% narrower than Mirage
    • Strong, yet lightweight, 6061 T6 aluminum, type II anodizing
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  • Why we love Tibors

      Features

    • Made from solid aluminum bar stock
    • Lightweight to balance with modern fly rods and reduce casting fatigue
    • Triple outgoing line signals, easily removable for silent operation
    • World famous Tibor drag system
    • Made and assembled in the USA
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  • Durable 8 weight size reel with smooth drag system and at least 150 yds of #20 backing
  • Durable 10 weight size reel with smooth drag system and at least 200 yds of #20 or #30 backing
  • Durable 11 weight size reel with smooth drag system and at least 200 yds of #30 backing

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Fly Lines

  •   Features

    • 16 strand braided monofilament core stays stiff in tropical heat
    • Welded loops on TT8F-TT9F
    • J3 coating for better shooting, higher floating, water repelling, and durability
    • Sand color shooting head blends into Tropical Blue running line to indicate optimal casting length
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  •   Features

    • Features the revolutionary AST Plus slickness additive for superior shooting ability and increased durability
    • The perfect line for bonefish, tarpon, and permit on the flats; also great for snook, redfish, and sea trout
    • Overweighted by .75 sizes to load rods quickly; use designated line weight for your rod
    • Short, powerful head turns over long leaders with heavy flies
    • Tropi-Core technology remains stiff and slick in tropical environments
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  • Weight forward tropical floating WF8F fly line, that loads easy, punches into the wind and can be presented softly.
  • Weight forward tropical floating WF10F fly line, that loads easy, punches into the wind and carries heavy flies.
  • Weight forward tropical floating WF11F fly line that loads easy and punches into the wind.

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Bonefish Leaders & Tippet

  •   Features

    • Medium-stiff material for turning over larger flies
    • Easy knotting, high strength leader
    • Hand tied perfection loop in the butt for quick rigging
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  •   Features

    • 100% fluorocarbon
    • Excellent abrasion resistance
    • Medium stiff
    • 8 lb – 12 lb 30 yd spool, 16 lb – 20 lb 25 yd spool, 25 lb – 50 lb 20 yd spool, 60 lb – 100 lb 15 yd spool
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  •   Features

    • Medium-stiff material with great knot strength
    • Easy casting taper design that casts typical saltwater flies
    • Maximum strength and abrasion resistance
    • Hand tied perfection loop in the butt for quick rigging
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  • RIO Saltwater Leader – 16 lb
  • RIO Bonefish Leader – 12 lb
  • RIO Fluoroflex Saltwater Tippet – 12 lb, 16 lb

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Permit Leaders & Tippet

  •   Features

    • 100% fluorocarbon
    • Excellent abrasion resistance
    • Medium stiff
    • 8 lb – 12 lb 30 yd spool, 16 lb – 20 lb 25 yd spool, 25 lb – 50 lb 20 yd spool, 60 lb – 100 lb 15 yd spool
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  •   Features

    • Medium-stiff material with great knot strength
    • Easy casting taper design that casts typical saltwater flies
    • Maximum strength and abrasion resistance
    • Hand tied perfection loop in the butt for quick rigging
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  • RIO Saltwater Leader – 16 lb, 20 lb
  • Fluoroflex Saltwater Tippet – 16 lb, 20 lb

Tarpon Leaders & Tippet

  •   Features

    • 100% fluorocarbon
    • Excellent abrasion resistance
    • Medium stiff
    • 8 lb – 12 lb 30 yd spool, 16 lb – 20 lb 25 yd spool, 25 lb – 50 lb 20 yd spool, 60 lb – 100 lb 15 yd spool
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  •   Features

    • Medium-stiff material with great knot strength
    • Easy casting taper design that casts typical saltwater flies
    • Maximum strength and abrasion resistance
    • Hand tied perfection loop in the butt for quick rigging
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  • Features

    • Hand tied for precision every time.
    • 100% strength advanced knots.
    • Heavy butt section for wind penetration and turnover.
    • Fluorocarbon bite tippet for abrasion resistance
    • 2 per pack, ready to fish out of the package.
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  • RIO Saltwater Leader – 16 lb, 20 lb
  • Fluoroflex Saltwater Tippet – 30 lb, 40 lb, 60 lb
  • RIO Tarpon Pro Leaders – 20 lb class/60 lb shock

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Fishing Apparel

  •   Features

    • Ultralight nylon/polyester blend dries in a flash and has 30-UPF sun protection
    • Mechanical stretch in the fabric allows for greater comfort when casting
    • 2.25-oz 52% nylon/48% polyester with mechanical stretch and 30-UPF sun protection
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  •   Features

    • Hood is designed to be worn over a baseball cap
    • Vertical zip closure on front pocket
    • Sculpted cuff with thumb holes for sun protection
    • 100% polyester double knit with 50+ UPF sun protection
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  •   Features

    • Mid-cut, lace-toe and synthetic upper
    • MDurable, saltwater-friendly materials
    • Non-absorbing foam lining with synthetic face
    • Gum rubber outsole for traction when wet
    • Removable Right Angle® Footbed for a secure and comfortable underfoot ride
    • Men’s half sizes: 7 – 14, Width: EE
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  •   Features

    • Lightweight, UPF50 sun glove with improved coverage & fit
    • Synthetic overlay on the index finger for stripping durability
    • Half finger style with extended coverage on index/middle fingers, long length to cover the wrists & pairing snaps for storage
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  •   Features

    • Quick-dry, breathable stretch fabric with laser cut breathing holes
    • Coolcore technology – up to 30% lower surface tempature when wet
    • Longer cape for better sun coverage at neckline
    • Tall enough to fit over back of fishing cap
    • One size fits most
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  •   Features

    • UPF 30
    • Durable and lightweight with COR3™ and Cool Control™ technology – perfect for warm weather fishing
    • Zip-secure back pocket and slash hand pockets with an internal cell phone pocket
    • Partial elastic, brushed tricot lined waistband for adjustability, comfort and moisture management
    • Crotch gusset for comfort and ease of movement
    • Inseam 30”
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  •   Features

    • Easy on/easy off saltwater wet wading shoe with gusseted zipper opening & YKK® locking corrosion-resistant zipper
    • Durable vulcanized rubber outsole & molded EVA sockliner & full length Bi-Fit™ lasting board for puncture resistance
    • Designed to be worn barefoot or with a light liner sock; order straight shoe size or nearest whole size up
    • Men’s whole sizes: 8 – 14, Width: EE
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  • Sun protection is critical. Lightweight, quick-drying technical fishing apparel with built-in UPF protection is best.
  • Simms ZipIt II Booties would work for wading but the Simms Flats Sneakers offer better protection around coral

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