Are you looking to catch a prize-winning red snapper?
Red snappers are some of the best trophy fish because of their beautiful color, size, and eatability. But red snapper fishing is also not the easiest sport in the world, which makes the prize all the greater!
In this article, we will help you out with all the key details you need to know to reel in the catch of your life!
The Red Snapper Fish
First off, what is the prize we are after?
‘Red snapper’ refers to a few different snapper varieties. In particular, the most well-known red snapper fish include the northern red snapper and the southern red snapper.
Generally, you will find the northern red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the northern Atlantic Ocean. They are one of the most popular fish to catch in these regions.
If you take in a larger haul than you were expecting, you can hope to make a nice bit of side-money by selling on to local restaurants. The nutritional value of a red snapper fish has made it a very popular commercial option.
Where to Catch Red Snapper
If you are looking for the big red snappers, you are going to need to go offshore. The large adult red snapper generally is found at depths of between 100 and 300 ft.
Offshore red snapper fishing is carried out extensively in the Gulf of Mexico. You are best off chartering a boat and heading to known reefs and drop-offs, up to around 35 miles off-shore.
Red Snapper Fishing Rigs
The type of rig you use will be dependent upon the depth of the water you are doing your red snapper fishing in. However, a good starting point is to use a Carolina rig, also known as a Carolina snapper rig.
You’ll want to use an egg sinker of between 6 and 30 ounces, which will once again depend on the depth you are fishing at. Use a braided line with a leader of between 10 and 25 feet.
When you get something on the line, you will need to reel hard. Red snapper is likely to swim immediately to the bottom, which could cause you a lot of trouble.
Baits for Red Snapper Fishing
Red snapper consumes fish, squid, and crustaceans. Any normal baitfish should work, but use a larger bait if you are looking to land the high-end snappers.
Let’s Go Fishing
Now, you’ve got the lowdown on how to reel in the perfect red snapper. But, just remember that red snapper fishing is considered sport fishing for a reason. The red snapper is a wily customer and you can expect to spend a good few hours reeling one in.
So, make sure you get your best friends together, a nice lunch, and perhaps some drinks. When you’ve got all that sorted, it doesn’t matter how many fish you catch!
If you’ve found this information useful, why not check out some of our other articles on snapper fishing?
