Cubera Snapper Fishing Florida

For the warmer waters of the western Atlantic, Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, the cubera snapper or dog snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus) is a legendary reef bully. Sometimes mistaken for sharks that eat your catch before you get it to the boat, cubera are voracious, aggressive and get big. You can target these hogs anywhere you find natural reefs, artificial reefs, oil rigs or rocky bottom. This fierce predator presents several angling and tackle challenges.

On the subject of how to catch cubera snapper, there is definitely one fisherman who you would benefit from consulting. A guy with multiple world records, knowledge seeping out of his pores and iconic status in South Florida sport fishing circles also happens to be one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. Capt. Bouncer Smith is the guy you want to learn the requisite skills for this type of snapper fishing from. He knows the reefs and wrecks that dot the topography better than most ever will. His talents with cubers snapper fishing are extraordinary.

How much drag you need at the bite and for the fight usually dictates your tackle setup. You need a little more for these snapper. We will break down the type of rod you need and the size reels required to deliver heavy drag. You will learn about the bait rig, the best hooks for snapper fishing, the ideal gaffs to deal with these toothy fish, harnesses and rigging tools. We dive into the terminal tackle used to make the snapper rig and why it is imperative to use the right stuff. RJ Boyle leads you through the tackle maze breaking down all the terminal tackle and snapper fishing rigs you need.

The bait and bait rig are super serious. We are using live lobsters and 12/0 hooks. Within the limits of the law, mangrove snapper make excellent baits. Yellowtail have caught fish. A nice bonita trolled around the reef is a sure thing to get hammered.

For the angler, get ready. The subtleness and intensity of the bite takes a bit to get used to. The cubera will pick you clean in a split second. Once you get the bite rhythm down, you better buckle up. These incredibly strong fish will give you everything you can handle for a few minutes. Hang on and you win. It's kind of like bull riding.

Boat driving is very important in this game. The ability to put your bait where it needs to be is critical. You sure don't want to get housed by a cubera. You will either win or lose this battle real quickly. Bouncer will discuss driving the boat over the structure and how to drop the bait to get good clean hookups without getting too close to the wreck. Power drifting your baits in and around the wreck or reef when there is current can be tricky. It does not have to be. In The Spread will show you how to deal with all of the finer points.

Enjoy the knowledge being shared in this In The Spread Cubera Snapper Fishing video and Never Stop Learning.

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