Mangrove spot
 

So my daughter sent me some pics the other day from several years ago that she forgot she had. This place, when conditions were right, had big snapper come up in the chum line. I would throw chunks of spanish sardines out with my baited hook, no weight,or swivel 30# leader. They always ate the free food first and then one couldn't stand it any longer and grabbed the bait. The most we ever caught at one time was four and then they figured it out.
I was looking at the pics again and noticed they appeared to be a little different. One Looked somewhat like a Cubera, but teeth not the same. Maybe one male and one female?

They are both mangos and nice ones at that. Even juvenile cuberas have distinct differences if you see them enough. Certain times of the year the mangos run as big as the grouper up here.

Look at the gill plates in the cooler picture. Might be different. Do you have any pictures of a mess of big mangroves laid out where you can compare the plates? I've seen you show off some big uns'

Mango Spot
 

Dang Kenny, Yur killing me. They'd be like shoot'in skeet with garbage can lids!
I'm try'in to concentrate on sandin' an compoundin' and buffin' and waxin' and that post really messed me up bad Bro'.

Different trip, same place. She drops the bait in water, pulls off about 4 or 5 arm lengths of line, closes bail and sets in rod holder. Gets the largest one, 29 1/2".

Sabasitain Mango spot
 

Oh Thanks Trooper Ron, Bi-coastal torture!

I've had lots of opportunity to handle both species over the years. Juvenile cubera can be easily distinguished from mangos by looking in their throat and upper pallet. Side by side the differences are starkly apparent but all of the above are unmistakably big mangos. They get really big and I have seen them over 15 lbs.

Here are a couple of good cubera....