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Are you interested in learning how to catch lane snapper? They are found in the western Atlantic Ocean, from North Carolina to the south of Brazil. Lane snappers (Lutjanus synagris) are aggressive and will put up a hard fight when caught. In this article, we discuss how to catch lane snapper, the bait and lure used by anglers when fishing for lane snapper, as well as tips and tricks to help you take many of these tasty fish home.
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How To Catch Lane Snapper
Lane snappers are aggressive and will put up a fight when hooked. They are often found in shallow waters over coral reefs, ledges and hard bottom areas, and sandy areas with vegetation. They can also be found deep in the water column and at the bottom where they feed.
Lane snappers grow to about 14 inches in length, although you can find some that are large as 20 inches. Lane snappers will not weigh more than 7 pounds. A simple chicken rig with shrimp or cut bait will work for lane snapper.
Lane snapper can be found all along the Florida coast. You can find them in coral reefs, sandy and rocky areas. They are seen in shallow waters and offshore waters. When fishing for lane snapper off Florida’s coast, anglers use baitcasting, bottom fishing, trolling, jigging, night fishing, and drift fishing. The Florida size limit for lane snapper is 8 inches.
1. Bottom Fishing
Bottom fishing is one of the methods anglers use when fishing for lane snappers. They are usually found at the bottom where they feed on shrimp, crabs, snails, mollusks, and small baitfish. Anglers usually drop their line with the bait along with a sinker to the bottom.
When they get a bite, the hook is set in and they reel in the fish. Bottom fishing works well for lane snappers when they are targeted at the bottom.
2. Drift Fishing
Drift fishing can also be used when learning how to catch lane snapper. When drift fishing, the boat moves with the current and the bait drifts with the speed of the boat. The bait can be placed at different levels in the water column to target lane snappers. More than one line can be setup to target lane snappers.
3. Baitcasting
Baitcasting is another fishing method that is used when fishing for lane snappers. They can also be found in shallow inshore waters over coral reefs and sandy areas with vegetation.
Anglers will rig the ait on the hook and cast it into shallow waters where there are coral reefs with vegetation or sandy areas. Baitcasting can also be done offshore. It is an ideal method for a beginner who is learning how to catch lane snapper.
4. Trolling
Trolling is also another fishing method that is used when fishing for lane snapper. When trolling, the boat will move slowly as you cover a lot of water with the line attached at the back of the boat. The angler will take control of the line when there is a bite and reel in the fish.
5. Night Fishing
Lane snapper is also targeted during the night when they feed. They are active during the night as they feed and this makes it an ideal time for anglers to target lane snappers. There is less fishing pressure and fewer predators are around which makes it ideal for lane snappers to look for food.
6. Jigging
Jigging is another fishing method used when fishing for lane snapper. It is usually used to target fish that is deep in the water column. Jigs are used to get the attention of the snapper and entice it to bite.
7. Still Fishing
Still fishing is another fishing method that is used when fishing for lane snapper. It is ideal for beginners who are learning how to catch lane snapper. When still fishing, you drop your line with the bait into the water and just wait for a bite. When you eventually get a bite, you set the hook in and reel in the catch. Still fishing is simple but very effective.
Lane Snapper Fishing Tackle
Lane snapper doesn’t grow into a very large fish. its average length is about 14 inches and weighs about 7 lbs maximum. A light tackle will work well when fishing for lane snapper.
Best Baits For Lane Snapper
- Shrimp
Shrimp work well as bait when fishing for lane snapper. it can be used for a simple rig when targeting lane snapper.
2. Crabs
Lane snapper feed at the bottom on squid, crabs, shrimps, snails, mollusks, and baitfish. Crabs also are effective when fishing for lane snapper.
3. Mollusks
Mollusks also work well when fishing for lane snapper.
4. Small fish
Small fish are prey for lane snapper and are used as bait when fishing for lane snapper.
Best Lures For Lane Snapper
- Jigs
Jigs are effective when targeting lane snappers. It is often used to target lane snappers that are deep in the water column.
2. Flies
Flies are also used when fly fishing for lane snapper.
Lane Snapper Recipes
This is a good recipe to prepare lane snapper.
Snapper Almondine
Ingredients:
- 4 (6 oz.) snapper filets
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- sea salt, to taste
- ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup rice flour
- ¼ cup butter, Crisco, Olive Oil, or Vegetable Oil
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- parsley or rosemary for garnish, optional
How To Cook Lane Snapper:
Fillet the lane snapper
Coat it with flour by placing it in a bowl with flour. Turn it over a couple of times in the bowl until four is on both sides.
Use vegetable oil, olive oil, Crisco, or butter and fry it in a frying pan over medium heat for about 3 to 5 minutes.
Turn the sides over to get both sides golden brown and well cooked.
Add almonds to the oil or butter in a frying pan and let them cook until they are browned.
Add lemon juice and parsley, basil, or rosemary.
Apply the sauce over the cooked lane snapper.
Garnish with fresh basil, rosemary, and parsley.
Lane Snapper Fishing Tips
- Lane snappers are often found at the bottom where they prey on crabs, mollusks, shrimp, and small fish.
2. Lane snappers grow to about 14 inches in length, although you can find some that are as large as 20 inches. Lane snappers will not weigh more than 7 pounds.
3. They can also be found in shallow inshore waters over coral reefs, and sandy areas that have a lot of vegetation in saltwater.
4. Lane snappers spawn from March to September.
5. Lane snappers are not cautious about hooks and lines like other species of fish. This makes it easier to catch them when learning how to catch lane snappers.
6. They usually feed at night which makes night fishing a good time to target them.
7. Jigging, baitcasting, bottom fishing, trolling, night fishing, and drift fishing are some of the fishing methods used when fishing for lane snapper.
The Bottom Line
Lane snapper is a small fish that grows to about 14 inches in length and weighs 7 lbs. It can be found around coral reefs, ledges, and rocky and sandy areas with vegetation. It will fight when hooked but lane snappers are not wary of hooks and lines. It is an ideal fish for a beginner who is learning how to catch lane snappers.
In this article, we discussed how to catch lane snappers, the fishing methods often used when fishing for them, as well as the bait and lures used by anglers. You can also read how to catch red snapper, how to catch mangrove snapper, how to catch yellowtail snapper, how to catch vermillion snapper, how to catch cubera snapper, and how to catch mutton snapper.
