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Cubera snapper

Cubera Snappers are generally grayish-red to dark brown. The mouth has thick lips and both jaws contain canine teeth with one pair of canines large enough to be visible even when the mouth is closed.

Cubera snapper

Illustration by Duane Raver, Jr.

Season	Open Year-Round
Size Limit	No Size Limit
Daily Limit / Person	No Limit
Delaware Range	Atlantic Ocean
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Rare - this species is more common south of Delaware.
General Habitat and Food Preferences	Cubera Snappers are a solitary species preferring inshore or nearshore waters to depths of 150 feet. They favor wrecks and artificial reefs. They primarily feed on fishes and crabs.
Did You Know?	Cubera Snappers are the largest of all snapper species reaching weights of 125 pounds. Snappers will pop their mouths open and slam it shut faster than you can blink your eyes. They often snap like that several times when landed. Folklore says that is how they got their name.
Common Lures and Baits	Cubera Snappers can be caught with live medium size fish as bait, fished on the bottom off the edge of a wreck or artificial reef. Dead bait is not normally used. Very large red and white artificial jigs tipped with a strip of cut bait or a small squid fished off the edge of a wreck or artificial reef can sometimes entice a Cubera Snapper to strike.
Typical Sizes Caught	In general, Cubera Snappers caught by anglers are common to 40 pounds.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Cubera Snappers are not currently eligible for a Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament or Live Release award, but a large specimen may qualify for an “Unusual Species” award.
Delaware State Record	Cubera Snappers are not currently eligible for an individual Delaware record.