Cubera Be, Cubera Bop

The stated purpose of our April 2021 trip to Panama is to catch big yellowfin tuna on topwaters, but I’m told that the beauty of the Gulf of Chiriqui is its multispecies bounty, including inshore beasts. Now that I’ve watched 8,342 videos about the place, I’m intrigued by Cubera Snapper, a gamefish that I previously was unaware even existed.

I still don’t know much about them, except that I want to catch one….or more.

In some respects they remind me of my Brazilian quest to catch Payara. I was vaguely aware of them before traveling to Mato Grosso last year, but only after I arrived did I realize how fearsome and challenging they’d be to catch. Cuberas likewise have teeth and appear to fight hard – I hope we get to spend at least a day casting to the rocks and battling these prehistoric beasts.

They’d make an awesome replica mount.

Here’s one from King Sailfish Mounts

And one from Advanced Taxidermy, who’ve done five of our replicas, including the payara.

And one from New Wave Taxidermy

A fourth version from Marine Creations

You could also get a skull, like this one from Salty Sportsman Art and Apparel, although it might be tough to get through customs.

Or a three skull selection like this assembly from Inner Workings Art

And I like this hand-carved wooden box from Manny Puig

I’m not sure how I feel about them as jewelry, like this one from Skeleton Fish, but if your lady would take that to get engaged she’s a keeper

Yes, we’re going to need to spend at least a day inshore.