African Cubera Snapper or Guinean Snapper (Lutjanus agennes)

A species unique to the tropical western coast of Africa, this impressive predator grows to in excess of 60kg and is commonly caught to 30-40kg. The cubera is ubiquitous, from offshore reefs, to the surf zone and into the mangroves; they can be expected anytime, anywhere. The most efficient way to target the large individuals is with live bait or fish fillet fished on the bottom in the middle and lower reaches of the lagoon. The most spectacular way to catch them is with large, noisy surface plugs in the surf and lower reaches of the lagoon. Smaller specimens can provide hours of fun in and around the mangroves, fallen timber, and reefs throughout the lagoon either by casting medium-sized twitch baits on medium-heavy spinning or casting tackle or on fly.