How To Catch Mangrove Snapper

Are you thinking of fishing for a mangrove snapper? Would you like to learn how to catch mangrove snapper? Mangrove snapper is a hard fighter that can be found inshore and offshore and is delicious. They like structures and can be found near reefs, rocks, wrecks, shoals, rocky bottoms, and jetties.

In this article, we discuss how to catch mangrove snapper, the baits, and lures to use, the fishing methods used by anglers, as well as fishing tips and techniques to help you take many of these delicious fish home for dinner.

How To Catch Mangrove Snapper

1. Baitcasting

Baitcasting is one of the tried and true fishing methods that anglers use when fishing. It can also be used when fishing for mangrove snapper. When baitcasting, live bait is the best to use, even though dead bait such as a frozen shrimp will also work.

Lures, such as small topwater plugs, jigs, and soft plastics can also be used when casting for mangrove snapper although live bait is the best.

2. Chumming

Chumming is another fishing technique that is effective when fishing for mangrove snappers. It involves dropping pieces of bait into the water to attract mangrove snapper and get them to bite. After getting the attention of the fish and putting them into a feeding state, you then drop your bait with the hook in it to hook them. At this stage, you must work fast and might catch many of them before they move away.

3. Bottom Fishing

Bottom fishing is another fishing method that anglers use when fishing for mangrove snappers. When they are at the bottom, you can target them by dropping your line with the bait at the bottom. A weight can be used to get the bait to the bottom. It can be used for inshore and offshore fishing.

4. Still Fishing

Still fishing can be used when fishing for mangrove snapper. It is ideal for a beginner who is learning how to catch mangrove snapper. It is usually implemented from a dock, pier, or bridge. When still fishing, you simply drop your bait into the water and wait for a bite. When you get a bite, set the hook in and reel in the catch.

5. Fly Fishing

Fly fishing is another fishing method that can be used when fishing for mangrove snapper. Fly fishing is usually done in shallow waters and it can be done to target mangrove snappers that are inshore.

Best Bait For Mangrove Snapper

1. Shrimp

Shrimp is one of the best baits to use when fishing for mangrove snapper. It is best used as cut bait and when chumming. Additionally, it is ideal when a beginner is learning how to catch mangrove snapper.

2. Crabs

Crabs are also good bait when fishing for mangrove snapper. It works well when you are learning how to catch mangrove snapper.

3. Minnows

Minnows work well as bait for mangrove snapper. It is also effective when used as cut bait. Minnows is also good bait for a beginner to use when learning how to catch mangrove snapper.

4. Pilchards

Pilchards are effective as cut bait when fishing for mangrove snapper. It is also very effective when used for chumming.

5. Pinfish

Pinfish is another bait that works well when fishing for mangrove snapper.

6. Squid

Squid works well as bait when fishing for mangrove snapper. It is also used as cut bait and when chumming for mangrove snapper.

7. Mullet

Mullet also is a good bait when fishing for mangrove snapper. it also works well as cut bait and when chumming.

Best Lures For Mangrove Snapper

1. Spoons

Spoons are effective when used for targeting mangrove snappers.

2. Topwater Plugs

Topwater plugs work well when targeting mangrove snappers that are inshore.

3. Soft Plastics

Soft plastics work well as lures when fishing for mangrove snapper as they imitate the movement of live bait and attract mangrove snapper.

4. Jigs

Jigs work well as lures when fishing for mangrove snapper especially jigs with a curly tail are effective as they imitate the movement of live bait and attract mangrove snapper.

Mangrove Snapper Fishing Tackle

A 6 to 7-foot medium to medium-heavy fast action rod spooled with a 10-pound braided line and a 15 pound leader will work when fishing for mangrove snapper. Circle hooks sizes 1/0 to 4/0, are the best choice of hooks when fishing for mangrove snappers. They have very good eyesight and fluorocarbon leaders are the best option when fishing for mangrove snapper.

Best Rig For Mangrove Snapper

The best rig for mangrove snapper will depend on where you will be fishing. If you are fishing in shallow water inshore, then a live bait rig or a split shot rig will work. This rig consists of a live shrimp on a 1/0 circle hook with a split shot rig or under a popping cork depending on where the mangrove snapper is located. A sliding sinker rig or a fish finder rig will also work for inshore fishing

However, if you are fishing for mangrove snapper offshore, then the offshore mangrove snapper rig will get the job done. A two-hook rig will also work when fishing for mangrove snapper in deep water. Additionally, a weighted fishing rig, such as a knocker rig, will work well for bottom fishing. These are mangrove snapper rigs often used by anglers.

How To Catch Mangrove Snapper Offshore

When fishing for mangrove snapper offshore, you will use heavy tackle since you will be targeting large mangrove snappers in deeper waters. Conventional rods, large hooks, and weights are the tackle that is used when fishing for mangrove snapper offshore.

The presentation is very crucial when fishing for mangrove snapper offshore and the offshore mangrove snapper rig is one rig that works well when fishing offshore for mangrove snapper in deep waters.

How To Catch Mangrove Snapper Inshore

Mangrove snapper can be caught when fishing inshore. They are often found in shallow waters, near rock piles, mangroves, bridges, docks, and piers. When fishing for mangrove snapper inshore, use light tackle to target mangrove snappers. Spinning rods, small hooks, and weights are used.

The right presentation is also important and a split shot rig or a live bait rig will work well. This rig for mangrove snapper is a live shrimp on a 1/0 circle hook with a split shot rig or under a popping cork depending on where the mangrove snapper is located. Baitcasting is one of the fishing methods that can be used when fishing for mangrove snapper inshore.

Mangrove Snapper Fishing At Night

Fishing for mangrove snapper at night can be very productive. During the summer, night fishing for mangrove snapper is the best time to catch them. When it is a full moon, you will have a better time fishing for mangrove snappers. Additionally, the nights just before and after the full moon will be the best times to go fishing for mangrove snapper.

Moreover, when fishing for mangrove snapper at night, chumming is very important. This will attract the fish closer to you. Just be aware that your chum may attract other large fish like sharks which will shut the bite down. Frozen bait works well for night fishing and shrimp, squid, sardines, and silversides are some of the baits used for fishing mangrove snappers at night. Baitcasting is also used when fishing for mangrove snappers.

How To Catch Mangrove Snapper In The Gulf of Mexico

The Gulf of Mexico is a prime fishing destination for many anglers as there are many different species of fish there. From gamefish to regular-sized fish, anglers have a variety of fish that they can target in the Gulf of Mexico.

Summer is a great time to target mangrove snapper in the Gulf of Mexico as it is calm and you can easily get to the wrecks and reefs. When fishing for mangrove snapper in the Gulf of Mexico, you can target them inshore and offshore. When targeting them inshore, look for structures like wrecks, reefs, seawalls, ledges, downed trees, or logs.

When fishing inshore, you can cast baits, chum, and bottom fish for mangrove snapper. Baits such as squid, pinfish, pilchards, minnows, and mullets can be used. Live bait, cut bait or dead bait can be used when fishing for mangrove snapper.

When fishing offshore, the popular fishing method anglers use is bottom fishing. You can use bottom fishing in the Gulf of Mexico to target mangrove snappers that are further down in the water column. Anglers use different bait and lure at the bottom to attract mangrove snappers to bite.

Additionally, anglers are more successful fishing for mangrove snappers when the waters are muddy or discolored. When there are windy days which will stir up the water and make it murky, the mangrove snapper will not clearly see the leader and this presents a good opportunity for anglers to catch them. Anglers will anchor the up-current of the structure and get a chum line going.

How To Catch Mangrove Snapper In Texas

Texas, also in the Gulf of Mexico, is a good fishing location for Anglers. It holds a large species of fish including mangrove snapper. Like most areas of the Gulf of Mexico, you can fish inshore and offshore for mangrove snappers.

Baitcasting, chumming, bottom fishing, night fishing fly fishing, and still fishing are some of the fishing methods used when fishing for mangrove snapper inshore and offshore in Texas. There are no bag or size limits for mangrove snapper in the state of Texas

How To Catch Mangrove Snapper In Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay, like many other areas in the Gulf of Mexico, is blessed with a variety of species of fish. Mangrove snapper is one of those found in the waters of Tampa Bay that are targeted by anglers. It can be found inshore and offshore which makes mangrove snapper a good gamefish for anglers.

Bottom fishing, baitcasting, chumming, still fishing, night fishing, and fly fishing are fishing methods that anglers use when fishing for mangrove snapper in Tampa Bay. Live and frozen bait work well when fishing for mangrove snapper in Tampa Bay, although live bait is the best bait to use.

Pinfish, squid, mullet, minnows, and pilchards are some of the baits that can be used either live or cut for mangrove snapper fishing. The size limit for mangrove snapper in Tampa Bay is 10 inches.

How To Catch Mangrove Snapper In Louisiana

Louisiana features natural structures and oil rigs that are used by mangrove snappers as cover. It also has a wide variety of species of fish including mangrove snapper that anglers target from late spring to early fall.

Bottom fishing, baitcasting, night fishing, fly fishing, chumming, and still fishing are some of the fishing methods and techniques used when fishing for mangrove snapper. Pilchards, minnows, squid, mullet, and pinfish are some of the baits that are used when fishing for mangrove snapper in Louisiana. The mangrove snapper Louisiana size limit is 12 inches.

How To Catch Mangrove Snapper From A Dock

Mangrove snapper can be found around structures like bridge pilings, piers, oil rigs, and docks. When fishing for mangrove snapper from a dock, one of the fishing techniques used by anglers is chumming. Pieces, strips, or chunks of bait will be dropped into the water to attract the fish.

When they pick up the scent of the bait and come to feed on it, this will bring them closer to you and then you can drop your bait with the hook to hook and reel them in. Squid, minnows, pilchard, shrimp, pinfish, and mullet are some of the bait that can be used when chumming.

Baitcasting is also another fishing method that can be used when fishing for mangrove snapper from the dock. It is often done after chumming. Still fishing can also be used to catch mangrove snapper from the dock.

How To Catch Mangrove Snapper In The Florida Keys

The Florida Keys is another regular fishing destination for many anglers. There are many species of fish in the Florida Keys for anglers to target including mangrove snappers. June is one of the best months to target mangrove snappers in the Florida Keys. At this time of the year, the Gulf of Mexico is calm and anglers can easily get to wrecks, reefs, and other structures that serve as cover for mangrove snappers.

You can target mangrove snapper inshore and offshore in the Florida Keys. Chumming, baitcasting, bottom fishing, night fishing, fly fishing, and still fishing are some of the fishing methods that are used when targeting mangrove snappers.

Baits and lures can be used when fishing for mangrove snappers. Both live and dead baits work well and squid, pinfish, minnows, pilchards, mullets, blue crabs, and shrimp can be used live or cut when fishing for mangrove snapper. The mangrove snapper Florida size limit is 10 inches.

Mangrove Snapper Fishing Tips

1. The best time of the day to catch mangrove snapper is early morning and late evening.

2. The best time of the year to catch mangrove snapper is from May to September when Mangrove Snapper is very active as the water temperature rises. The peak period for catching mangrove snappers is June to August.

3. Mangrove snapper is notorious for stealing bait. Use 1/0 circle hooks when fishing for mangrove snappers.

4. Mangrove snappers also have very good eyesight. Therefore, use a light 8 to 10-pound fluorocarbon leader.

5. Despite its size, the mangrove snapper is a good fighter.

6. A simple yet effective rig for fishing mangrove snapper is a live shrimp on a 1/0 circle hook with a split shot or under a popping cork depending on where the mangrove snapper is in the water column.

7. Mangrove snappers spawn from June to September close to offshore and near-shore reefs.

8. During the spawn, you can catch large mangrove snappers inshore.

9. They are active during the Summer and can be found in grass flats, mangroves, and near structures like bridge pilings, piers, and docks.

10. Mangrove snapper likes to eat glass minnows and pilchards on grass flats.

11. Use live pilchards under a popping cork to catch mangrove snappers in grass flats.

12. Mangrove snappers can also be found around sandy potholes in grass flats. Get your live bait around the sandy potholes for mangrove snappers to go after it.

13. Most lures work well when mangrove snapper is feeding on fish on the grass flats.

14. The phases of the moon also affect the feeding patterns of mangrove snappers. They are more active during full and new moon phases.

15. Incoming tides are the best tide conditions when fishing for mangrove snapper as the tide brings baitfish into shallow water.

16. Calm seas and overcast skies are the best weather conditions when fishing for mangrove snapper as it is easier to see them when fishing.

17. When fishing for mangrove snapper, hook sizes ranging from 1/0 to 4/0 will work depending on the size of the fish and the bait.

The Bottom Line

Mangrove Snapper (Lutjanus griseus) is a highly sought-after fish for anglers. It is a hard fighter, can be found inshore and offshore, and is delicious with its delicate flavor and firm flesh. Mangrove snappers are found in the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Caribbean. They like structures where they can take shelter to ambush their prey.

In this article, we discussed how to catch mangrove snapper, the best fishing methods anglers use when fishing for mangrove snapper, as well as the baits, lures, and fishing tackle. You can also read how to catch yellowtail snapper, how to catch red snapper, how to catch lane snapper, how to catch rock hind, how to catch mutton snapper, how to catch vermillion snapper, how to catch cubera snapper, and how to catch triggerfish.