“If you want to catch snapper, drop a nylon jig down that’s tipped with a whole pogy,” says Marvel. “But if you want a chance to catch grouper and snapper, drop a 16-ounce diamond jig down to the bottom and work it back up slowly. If a big grouper or snapper is down there, it’s going to eat the diamond jig for sure.”
What is the best lure for snapper?
Popular options include ZMan 5″ Scented PaddlerZ, 6″ SwimmerZ and 8″ Mag SwimZ. It’s the jerkbait style plastics that dominate the snapper catches however and these are the best starting point for those getting into offshore soft plastics fishing.
What is the best reel for snapper fishing?
The Stradic FL and Twin Power FD reels in the 2500-4000 size range are well suited to snapper fishing. These reels should be matched to a lightweight graphite rod like the Raider and Jewel series, rated to fish between 4-10kg braid Power-Pro or Kairiki line.
What is the best size hook for red snapper?
Hook it through the eyes because a snapper’s going to eat it head-first. But a 6-inch live pogy is just as good as anything,” says Pellegrin, who fishes both baits on a 7/0 Mustad circle hook. That’s his best hook for red snapper.
What do snappers bite on?
Snapper of all sizes, including huge 20 or even 30-pound fish are commonly caught on dead bait. Squid, pogies, and cigar minnows are always reliable and readily available. But if you want to try to target huge snapper, you need live bait and the bigger, the better.
How long should a snapper leader be?
When fishing from a boat for snapper or grouper, it’s best to use 30 feet or more for a leader. For weary mutton snapper and grouper try using 40 lb fluorocarbon leaders. When we are fishing in shallow, clear water, longer fluorocarbon leaders have produced the best results.
What time of day is best to catch snapper?
Early morning and evening is the best time for snapper, since many fish feed at night and rely on low light for camouflage, especially in shallow water.
How much drag do I need for snapper?
Registered. My rule of thumb is pretty standard – like amaracfina – set the drag to about 1/3 the breaking strength of the line with the lever at the strike position.
What size rod do you need for snapper?
Use a medium to medium heavy rod, 6 1/2 ft to 7 ft, and a mid-size conventional reel filled with 50 lb to 60 lb mono or 65 lb to 80 lb braid.
How deep do you fish for red snapper?
between 30 and 200 feet
Red snappers are both deep water and shallow dwellers. You can find them at any depth between 30 and 200 feet, usually huddled by nearby protective structures. Favorite hot spots include piers, seawalls, and old wreckage.
What kind of line do you use for red snapper?
Again, when targeting snappers, such as muttons and reds, go with 50-pound fluorocarbon. For big grouper or amberjack, go with a minimum of 80-pound fluorocarbon, and as heavy as 100-pound test (for goliath grouper, use 180- to 220-pound test).
What hooks are good for snapper?
Circle hooks are highly popular for reds, and they’re perfect candidates for them given how they scoff baits and will ‘eat and run’ basically settling the hook for you. Size 7/0 to 8/0 for larger reds and 4/0 to 6/0s for smaller fish is good starting point.
How do you catch a big snapper?
Exploiting these habits, the two primary methods for catching snapper from the shore are stray-lining (dead baits and soft-plastic baits) and fishing dead baits on the bottom. Whilst snapper can be caught on faster moving lures and live baits, these are generally far less effective.
Does snapper see color?
Pink often works well for snapper! Bright pink is a consistent performer, but the reason for this is not obvious. As the light changes, so should lure colours.
Does snapper like current?
Snapper can be caught over sand, mud, natural reefs, artificial reefs, rubble and in shallow and deep water. They will aggressively feed in areas with a fast running current and waters with no current at all.
What is the pound leader for snapper?
Leader weights can vary from 20lb through to about 80lbs, however 40-60lb usually covers most situations. Light leaders are best, however snapper can have quite sharp teeth and can bite through leaders lighter than 40lb.
Where is the best place to catch snapper?
Generally, Snapper fish is also called as a reef fish as it loves being around reefs. You will find this fish species at reef edges or between crevices and boulders, or in between rocks. They love being around kelp beds as well.
How do you target snapper from the beach?
Boat anglers recommend using metal vertical jigs that look like small pinfish or cigar minnows. They say that when they move these lures from their boats, the lure starts oscillating vertically on the bottom mimicking a wounded small fish and therefore attracting the red snapper.
Can you catch snapper at night?
Snapper are nocturnal so you will not need a spot light unless you want to catch squid and flying fish in the light. It is nice however to have a few lights to light the inside of the boat so you can see what you are doing. We used to wear them slap out at night. Snappers will eat at night just fine.
How tight should drag be?
For best results, the drag setting should be able at the point where the line holds a third to half of its weight before moving (e.g., a 20-pound line should not move until the hook holds seven to ten pounds).
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.