African cubera snapper

African cubera snapper was the phrase on everyone’s lips this week in Gabon, even if not everyone knew it yet. A mass migration from the lower Albany area of the Eastern Cape arrived in a familiar cloud of laughter, beer, and voices all sounding suspiciously like Ed Truter. Many of the group were anglers I had fished with before in the Transkei, others I have guided or worked alongside in past seasons. Predictably, there was confusion when fly reels appeared. A KP with a drag raised eyebrows. Spinning rods with grinders and braid were viewed with a mix of suspicion and quiet concern before being cautiously accepted. It was clear early on that this was going to be a week of firsts.

Taking Every Opportunity Beyond the Fishing

For many in the group, this was not a routine trip. You could feel that this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and arriving after dark only heightened the impact of what followed. Morning light revealed vast mangrove systems, dense jungle spilling right down to the lagoon edges, and African grey parrots overhead, filling the air with whistles and hoots.

It did not take long for jungle walks to be pencilled in, and those decisions paid off. Both chimpanzees and gorillas were seen during the week. The gorilla sighting stood out. One group spent close to 40 minutes with gorillas moving through the trees around them. I came back from a morning fishing session to the story and felt properly jealous.

A late afternoon drive to a rosy bee-eater nesting site added another layer to the week. Watching them carry butterflies and dragonflies back to their burrows across the open plain was one of those quiet moments you do not forget. Giving up one or two fishing sessions to walk in the forest changed the rhythm of the trip and added real depth to the experience. You could see how much it meant to the group to take in all that Gabon offers, not just the fishing.

African Cubera Snapper: The Week on the Water

Yes, this is still a fishing camp, and you came here for the fishing report.

The African cubera snapper fishing this week was exceptional. The average fish from the river mouth was probably around 10 kg, and we landed four fish estimated over 30 kg. Two of those were likely in the upper 30s. One of the stand-out fish was taken on fly by AJ, known to most as The Uncle, and a long-time friend of African Waters. Watching a fish of that size come to hand on fly, then power away, drenching everyone nearby, was something special.

These were hard-earned fish and some of the most rewarding snapper captures I have seen in Gabon so far. Having snapper of this calibre accessible to shore anglers says a lot about the health of the system.

Interestingly, the rest of the fishing was tough. Gabon has a habit of changing personality overnight. The previous week we struggled to find snapper but had excellent threadfin action in the light. This week it flipped. We only managed four or five threadfin for the entire week, the snapper went wild, and nothing meaningful happened in the light. We are still scratching our heads, trying to make sense of the switch, but that unpredictability is part of what keeps the fishing engaging.

We are still waiting on the tarpon to show properly. The conditions look right, so optimism remains.

Looking Ahead

A larger group of fly anglers arrives tomorrow. If experience has taught us anything, it is that the coming week will be nothing like the last. That uncertainty is part of the appeal. If you are curious about how African cubera snapper fishing unfolds week to week in Gabon, keep following along. Better yet, start planning your own trip and see it first-hand.

If this kind of fishing and wilderness experience speaks to you, get in touch with African Waters to talk through dates, options, and what to expect from a Gabon season built around African cubera snapper.