The shape of the Circle hook with a point that curves back toward the shank, allows the hook to set naturally as the snapper takes the bait and turns to swim away. The preferred hook for catching Red Snappers is a 4/0-8/0 Circle hook. The extra long leader allows cut bait to float unrestricted near the bottom, or live bait to swim freely, creating a very natural presentation. In-Line Snapper Rig – This is a “go to” rig when snapper just aren’t biting.Doesn’t snag easily and catches snappers. Three-way Swivel Rig – Popular bottom rig for fishing rocky bottoms and wreck where Red snappers frequent.The design of the knocker rig prevents the snapper from retreating to the cover of structure once hooked. Its an ideal rig for fishing over wrecks and reefs. Knocker Rig – Provides a great presentation for fishing smaller red snappers.

There are several effective snapper rigs anglers can use for bait presentation. When drifting or bottom fishing, pass the hook through the eyes and then through the back. When trolling with live bait, pass the hook through the lips, nose and eyes. Rigging your bait for Red Snapper will depend on your fishing method. Using larger bait will eliminate bites from smaller snappers and unwanted reef fish. When targeting larger snappers, large live bait is ideal. Red snapper will also take squid, pogies, and cigar minnows, which are more readily available to anglers.įor larger Red Snapper, live bait including Pinfish and Ballyhoo are effective. The best bait for catching red snapper are bitd size pieces of cut bait such as Mullet, Sardines, Pichards, Bonita and Eel. This means Red Snapper can only eat what they can fit in their mouth. Red Snapper are “gape-limited” game fish. Like most species of snapper, Red Snapper will stick close to structure such as rocks, coral reefs, artificial reefs, shipwrecks, caves, and ledges.īest Lures, Bait & Tackle to catch Red Snapper Adults are usually found offshore in deeper waters with rocky bottoms and structure between 50 and 500 feet. Young red snappers prefer shallow waters with sandy or muddy bottoms. They are rarely found north of the Carolinas but have been reported as far north as Massachusetts. from the Carolinas south to Florida and west to the Gulf of Mexico. They can be found along the eastern coast of the U.S. The Red sSnapper lives in the Gulf of Mexico and in the western Atlantic Ocean. On average, red snapper have a life span of about 20 years, but can live up to 60 years.

Larger specimens can reach up to 4 feet and weigh up to 50 pounds. The average red snapper is between 1-2 feet long and can weigh anywhere from 2-10 pounds. Red snappers have enlarged canine teeth, which is why they are referred to as “snappers.” The northern red snapper has fewer scales and more soft rays than the southern red snapper.

The first and second dorsal fins are connected. Red snappers have a dorsal fin with 14 soft rays and a pointed anal fin. Young red snappers have a dark spot on their upper back below the dorsal fin. It has a pointed anal fin, and a long triangular, pointed face. The red snapper can be distinguished from other snappers by its pinkish or deep red coloring and distinctive red eyes.

Snapper fish