Cuberra Snapper Tactics, Nosara-style!

Deep Sea fishing in Costa Rica holds exhilerating adventures from chasing massive marlin to schools of tunas. Costa Rica fishing is well-known for it’s wide array of diverse fish species and it’s pulse-pounding level of excitement.

The following story is from our most recent Fishing Report:

Fishing for gigantic Cuberra Snappers is a challenge worthy of the most dedicated angler. Using relatively standard tackle and this unusual fishing tactic, the Captains of FishingNosara.com have had repeatable success on these monstrous fish.

To start, we rig our live Bonita (also called Black Tuna) to the Penn International 50W off both long outriggers. Each of the tunas are pulled with a J hook through the head of the fish and a circle hook in the dorsal. The speed should be a lively 2.5 knots to keep up with the baitfish.

Be patient for about fourty-five minutes. While you are waiting patiently, five fathoms below those two little Bonitas are creating a buffet-sized feeding frenzy. The big Cuberra Snappers will no doubt come out from hiding in their holes to investigate what the fuss is about.

Realize that a fully-grown Cuberra Snapper is not stupid. Big Cuberras have long lifespans and live for nearly 60 years; their instincts are honed to avoid being caught. When they do get hooked, they are usually close to deepwater sanctuary and can retreat. However, the Black tunas swimming at energetic speeds for such a long time creates enough commotion thatif you can create a big enough commmotion the Cuberras will guess that the coast is clear to feed and will venture up the water column.

The final step is to reverse the hooks in the black tuna, setting the circle hook just below the butt to make the tuna to swim directly to the bottom. As long as the Cuberra is out of his hole, he can’t resist a tasty meal swimming right towards him.

Eighty feet down and 10 second later, the Bonita line popped off like it was hit by a Buick. Since we use circle hooks there’s no need to “set” the hook, but rather smoothly engage the drag to let the fish set itself. I set the reel to a stiff 35lbs. of drag and lock my feet into the gunwales.

These fish are not acrobatic or crafty at this point; just strong. These excellent tasting monsters are truly the catch of a lifetime. Enjoy the videos and tactics pages of FishingNosara.com to see more about the best fishing in Costa Rica.