By A. deGruchy
When the August full moon rolls around in the Florida Keys, it is prime time to target one of the hardest-pulling, meanest fish on the reef: the Cubera snapper, aka “El Diablo.” These fish are big, powerful, and known for absolutely wrecking tackle if you are not ready.
In Key West, Captain Kody Michael is one of the guys to know when it comes to getting after them. His company, Reel Guides, helps connect anglers with solid, trusted captains throughout the Keys, making it easier to find the right guide for the trip you want to take. Whether someone is looking for a serious reef trip, a trophy fish, or simply wants to fish with a captain who knows the area, Reel Guides helps point anglers in the right direction.
Cubera fishing is not your average snapper trip. One of the go-to baits is live lobster, which makes it some of the most expensive bait fishing you can do. But when a giant Cubera eats, it is worth every dollar. Around the full moon, these fish get fired up, and the bite can be violent. This is not dropping down and hoping for a nibble. This is waiting for a freight train to eat a live lobster and try to take everything with it.
The Bean Sportfishing crew has had some wild Cubera trips in the Florida Keys with Capt. Kody, including one caught on stand-up gear using a PENN International VIS. That 65lb fish was a battle from the second it ate, and it showed exactly why Cubera snapper have such a reputation. They are strong, dirty fighters that know how to use the reef against an angler.
It has also been done on “The Bean Pole,” Bean Sportfishing’s real mini-rod under 36 inches, which was ridiculous, sketchy—and unforgettable. Catching a Cubera on proper stand-up gear is hard enough. Catching one on a tiny rod is a whole different kind of chaos.
Check out Bean Sportfishing TV on YouTube, @beansportfishing, to see the live lobster bites, full-moon madness, and cubera fishing action in the Florida Keys. It is one of the coolest fisheries the Keys has to offer, and definitely one of the most intense.
