Red Snapper
name: Red Snapper
other names: N/A
Red Snapper is pinkish red over entire body, whitish below; long triangular snout; anal fin sharply pointed; no dark lateral spot.
This snapper is found in the western Atlantic Ocean, from Massachusetts to Brazil, although it is uncommon north of the Carolinas. It is also occurs in the Gulf of Mexico. The adult red snapper lives offshore on the continental shelf, over deep reefs, banks, and rocky bottoms. Populations residing amongst such three-dimensional structures are usually larger than those in smooth bottom areas.
Both juvenile and adult red snapper are carnivorous, and adults are bottom-oriented predators. Juveniles commonly feed on zooplankton. But as they mature, their diet switches over to larger prey including shrimp, squid, and octopus. Adult red snapper feed on a variety of smaller fish, crustaceans, and mollusks, which they find in flat bottom areas adjacent to the reefs.
Sexual maturity attained at age 2; spawns June to October; feeds on crustaceans and fish.
Multiple hook rigs are effective, a favorite rig for large red snapper is a single 7/0 hook. The hook is fastened to a 4 to 5-foot dropper off the main leader, which ends with an 8 to 16-ounce sinker. Selection of bait is critical. Squid heads with long tentacles, whole medium-size fish, and fresh, bloody strips of little tunny or greater amberjack catch the big red snapper. The fish seem to prefer a still or very slowly moving bait. Fishing from an anchored boat is productive, but when drifting, one might free-spool the line for a few minutes before slowly retrieving the slack.
