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The current weather in Culebra

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catching dinner?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Bruce Morehouse (---.direcpc.com)
Date:   03-12-06 11:37

We're going to be on Culebra in a couple of weeks and I was wondering about catching dinner. My wife's not a big boat person, so the floatable platform is probably out. I'd like to catch a mangrove, mutton, yellowtail snapper, 'cuda, etc. I'm not into big or a lot, just enough for the table (and of course, the enjoyment of being on the water-made more enjoyable by fishing).

A few questions:
Am I nuts?
Is spear fishing alowed? (I'm a conscientious, clean shot only, common-edible species only fisherman) I'd be snorkelling
Is there a map available showing coral heads, fringing mangrove, no fishing zones, etc? available.
Is ciguateria a concern when fishing the shore?
Any critters to be aware of besides the usual (fire coral, fire sponge, jellyfish, etc)?

Any suggestions? (including non fishing)
Must see
Oughta miss

Thanks for your time.
Bruce

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Re: catching dinner?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.c3-0.nyw-ubr2.nyr-nyw.ny.cable.rcn)
Date:   03-12-06 14:19

ciguatera is definitely a concern. friend of mine got it last year and he was overly carful - he only caught and ate stuff with a line ... you better know what you are doing.

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: catching dinner?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: JoseGuzman (---.mia.bellsouth.net)
Date:   03-13-06 06:41

Ciguatera is always possible, I got it once, but still eating fish without thinking of it.
It took more that 5 or 6 months for the itch and some light symptons to dissapear. The first few days were )_(*@$*&#&^@$(#@$(*).
It is most likely to hook some groupers, and stripes fish ( i do not know the name in english, but you'll know, it belongs to the snapper family ).

It is possible that Natural Resources Agency is asking for fishing licences, they were into that not so long ago, maybe someone in the forum can clear that for you.

If you fish with line squid is a must, forget about artificial, sardines, or whatever other you think or hear of.
If you spear, you may get CAPITAN ( HOG FISH ) that is one of the best, and if you are good at it, king fish or barracuda... do not eat the last one, that is one of the best ciguatera providers, and the CAPITAN too. This in very good sizes ( 15, 20, pounds or more ).
Enjoy and be careful... Oh! do not shoot, or put back in the water those parrot fish, and pig fish please.

Capt. J.Guzman

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Re: catching dinner?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Bruce Morehouse (---.direcpc.com)
Date:   03-13-06 21:15

Jose, gracias para su ayuda. I'm looking forward to being in your waters. I shall follow your advice.

Michael, yes, shellfish poisoning is a concern. Thank you for your words of warning.

Mostly, I love to just watch the fish. That's one of the reasons I prefer spear fishing over angling: I get to choose which fish I catch. I don't go for the largest, figuring they're the ones we want breeding. A few of the smaller fish on the grill. Nothing beats really fresh fish on a grill in the evening with your sweetheart after a day in the sun and water, mojito, quiet suserations of the waves.. Ahhhh

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Re: catching dinner?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.c3-0.nyw-ubr2.nyr-nyw.ny.cable.rcn)
Date:   03-13-06 21:28

Jose is right about kingfish or sierra - my personal favorite, but that's exactly the one my friend got sick from .. I still eat them though :|

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: catching dinner?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Bruce Morehouse (---.direcpc.com)
Date:   03-13-06 22:47

I'm not good enough to catch those guys on a lung of air! Wish I could though, they grill up awfully nicely on some smokey buttonwood! I got the tingley lips one time from 'cuda, and am not ecstatic about their flavor, so I give them a bye now. I don't like to hunt in popular spots, figuring the fish are better left for others to admire, so I end up with the mangrove snapper or a jack

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