Red carp
The red carp, also known as cubera, is a member of the lutjanidae family. It's a fish that can be considered a "trophy fish" par excellence. It's powerful and vicious, and that's obvious when you see it in a photo. Teeth as big as those of a large dog, an extremely wide caudal fin that enables it to accelerate at high speed, and a weight that can approach 40 kilos. Enough to make for some sporting fights...
An intense battle
Because yes, we're talking about a fight with a fish like this, and that's the most important point. Imagine your popper being snapped up by a big red blob, you've barely time to realize that it's a red carp on the end, and you can find yourself on your knees, rod bent and drag singing...
The cubera has to be earned, and as well as being a sporting contest, it's also a tiring hunt. From Cuba to Panama, via Colombia and Guyana, the places where red carp are found are hot and humid. Imagine spending a whole day casting poppers weighing in at around 200 grams in the blazing heat, animating your lures by popping hard, and so on until you reach that powerful touch.
You need to be physically ready to counter this fish at any moment. After the bite, there are two possibilities: either the carp is far from its spot and in this case, the fight is almost won, tough all the same, but won, or its spot is close, too close, and the fish is unstoppable. Unfortunately, breakage is inevitable.
Fishing spots for red carp
Carp very often inhabit rocky heads and faults where they can find shelter. Red carp are sedentary fish. At sardine-run time (in Panama at least), there can be very large gatherings in rock-free areas... making it easy to catch this fish.
The importance of equipment
The equipment used must be beyond reproach, from the rod to the reel, including braid and split rings, leaders and, of course, hooks. To give yourself the best chance of success, you'll need at least a 100-lb. rod and an 18000- or 20000-size reel with a very, very good drag.
Violent bite, Dantesque fight, sharp teeth, bent rod, tight drag, holey popper... That's what you hear after catching this trophy fish! You've got to experience it once!
