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In the News from Panama

Big News for Sportsfishing Fans

Panama’s world-class sportsfishing scene may boast another world record. Reports from the Azuero Peninsula claim that a new world record cubera snapper was recently caught in Panama waters, famous for producing world records.

A local fishing lodge, Los Buzos Panama, announced that one of its guests had reeled in a 126 cm cubera, which would be 6 cm bigger than the current length record.

Los Buzos announced the record on Instagram:  “Boom! Another World Record catch submitted to IGFA by Los Buzos. Angler Toni Peiro nailed this beast of a Cubera on his last day. At 126 cm, it is 6 cm bigger than the current length record.”

While big fish tales are not uncommon — especially in Panama — the details have been submitted to the International Game Fish Association, the group that tracks the record.. The process can take weeks. (And, for the record, the previous record cubera snapper was also caught in Panama, near Jicaron Island in March 2019, For the Win! reports.)

Cubera snapper boast “four large canine teeth, two in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw, adding to their ferocious appearance,” the publication reports. “They’re challenging to catch because they often dash toward structure after being hooked.”

The recent catch may earn the title for the length record, but the IGFA also tracks records by weight. “Anglers seek length records for fish that are released after being measured, or if their catches would fall short of existing weight records,” according to FTW.  The record for all-tackle weight for a cubera snapper — also caught in Panama — is 81 pounds, three-ounces.

Los Buzos is known for finding the big fish. The center sits in the center of “Marlin Alley,” a 200-mile stretch of pristine ocean that is home to more than 30 current IGFA world records. The record includes Black & Blue Marlin, Pacific Sailfish, Wahoo, Broomtail & Goliath grouper, Cubera & several snappers, Bluefin & Bigeye Trevally, Mahi, and of course the majestic Roosterfish,” according to the Los Buizos website.