Usually a relatively rare catch in the bay area, cubera snapper have been caught in surprising numbers the past four months. Spearfishermen and rod and reel anglers are reporting more encounters with these huge fish over deep wrecks and ledges. Cuberas are the largest snappers, reaching over 100 pounds. Two line class world records were caught off the bay area in the mid '80s. Now it seems they have returned in size and numbers. One notable cubera catch was made on the boat Island Way late last month. Capt. Chris Sahr and Ernie Rubio fished a "secret spot" in 200 feet and in two trips landed six cuberas weighing 54 to 96 pounds and one weighing 106 pounds. Snapper this size are brutal fighters, and though the anglers were fishing with 100-pound test line many simply ran into the bottom and could not be stopped.
Large live bait such as blue runners, sea bass and porgies are favored. A 2- or 3-pound porgy is not too big for the giant mouth and teeth of a cubera. The fish almost is always found in more than 80 feet around structures with tall vertical relief. It will, however, rise high in the water column when feeding where it can be seen on a depth finder. This is when an angler has the best chance of landing one. By keeping your bait off the bottom and at the fish's level, you give yourself a head start from the moment you hook up.
