CUBERA SNAPPER

[yellowsub]

Hi, this is Neil from Trinidad in the West Indies. I need some clarification on the best time of the year to catch big Cubera Snapper. Some very knowledgeable local guides say February, but a lot of internet articles say June. Which one is correct? Also what types of bait are best?<br><br>

[MasterJigBuilder]

Welcome Neil and glad you took the time to drop in from the West Indies.<br><br>What depth of water are you fishing in their? If the guides say Feb that I would imagine they are right. Most snapper are a schoolling fish that like structure of one kind or another. That means they are not always on the bottom, but that is the place to start and then work your way up onto the bite.<br><br>Most often strip baits (like squid) are best along with jigs and soft tails if you like to use those. Do you have a depth sounder?<br><br>Rigs can be standard paternosta types, or dropper loops. Both will work ok. Hook sizes vary depending on the average size of the snapper you get their and usually a 6/0 or 7/0 will do the job for you. <br><br>Just another thought while were waiting for other anglers to give you their thoughts.. <br><br>Have you looked Cubera up using the &quot;useful link&quot; I posted below. Take a look at the fish enclyclopedia and type in the fish name using the search engine up the top cos it has some useful information in it. <br><br>When we have got this problem solved them maybe we'll have a catch about the cricket as well. <br><br><br>Burnin Thumbs!<br><br>Steve B <br>Moderator Lures/Baits Forum<br><A HREF="http://www.demonjigs.com" target="_new">http://www.demonjigs.com</A>

[MasterJigBuilder]

Hey Neil<br><br>I just went and looked them up myself on that link and was pleasantly surprised to find that Cubera Snapper are a member of "Lujandid" family which means a number of things to me down here in Oz. <br><br>First up they are an immediate relative to our Magrove Jack species and the world famous, and much revered, Papua New Guinea "Black Bass". <br><br>That means they are super tough, hard - dirty fighters that take no prisoners and pound for pound are of the meanest bottom fish around (even when they are small). <br><br>Here most of our Jacks are found in estuaries and then they head out to sea once they are mature. Also hard lure hitters too. <br><br>Also one of (if not the) best eating fish around as well and assume the Cubera would be the same if not too big. <br><br>Am I glad you raised this Q because I did not know they were a part of this family until now. Good call! <br><br>What type of bait/lures do the WI Guides, and or you, use on them?<br><br><br>Burnin Thumbs!<br><br>Steve B <br>Moderator Lures/Baits Forum<br><A HREF="http://www.demonjigs.com" target="_new">http://www.demonjigs.com</A>

[freedive]

Hi Neil,

This is Sean also from Trinidad! I went out 2 days ago hoping to hook into a nice Pag but no luck.

I can tell you however that the day before a guy caught one 46lbs (saw it myself)and 2 others were caught, each over 30lbs that same day. So I guess they start biting as early as January.
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