Florida is one of the most popular states in which to fish. Fishing for snapper is a favorite pastime that many people enjoy while visiting Florida’s beautiful beaches, but it can be quite expensive if you’re not aware of some tips and tricks. Snapper fishing can be done on your own boat or off the shore with some basic equipment.
Where To Find Snapper?
The best way to catch fish is by finding their favorite food and then luring it in with tasty bait. The Snapper, being an inshore species that loves structures of any type will go for your boat or pier when you get close enough so be on the lookout!
In order not just have one but three different methods at catching these pesky creatures I recommend going where there’s plenty of rocks nearshore as well as piers while deeper waters offer up wrecks which often contain large amounts smaller ones too – perfect if they’re what we want because bigger means tougher fights.
How to Catch Snapper – Techniques
Best Rod for Snapper
What you need is a good quality rod that has a medium action, perfectly fine for any type of snapper.
If you’re fishing from a pier, anything will do. A light rod works well for catching 1-lb fish usually found in shoreline areas and can be carried along with ease when going out into deeper waters where larger species such as tuna or Mooreas might be encountered. For piers that aren’t deep enough to go after these bigger games than there’s generally no need of purchasing specialty equipment since most people just use what they’ve got at home – but if your limits extend much past those size ranges take care not to get caught without a suitable tackle in hand!
When it comes to the length, rods from 7’6″ up to 8′ foot are ideal for snapper fishing or kingfish. This is because you have more control over the tip of the rod so you can feel every bit of vibrations flowing through your rod.
Best Reel for Snapper Fishing
The most important thing when fishing with a baitcasting or spinning rod is finding what you like and enjoy. For small fish, go for the casting reel; if catching more offshore species such as snook, redfish, etc., get one of these less expensive alternatives at Amazon that are great!
The reel doesn’t matter when catching small fish. Go with what you know and love, like me! My favorite reels are baitcasting rods because they’re so easy to use for people who aren’t familiar with fishing techniques or just want something simple that can get them started quickly without having much gear knowledge right away.
Best Line for Snapper
For snapper fishing, you need a 20-30lb braid and an 8 to 12lb leader (depending on the number of hooks you want to tie on). The reason for this is because if your bait gets bit by one fish it will not break easily with such powerful lines.
If possible, use a fluorocarbon leader which is very sensitive and will also help you feel the bites of fishes better. Another important factor in snapper fishing is to have a good quality swivel, the reason being they don’t cost much and most of all they keep your line perfectly balanced.
Best Bait for Snapper
No lure is as effective as the humble worm for catching king-size snapper. No need to goggle at those huge, disembodied heads hanging in tackle shops if you know the right places to look.
There are several good spots around Sydney where one can find worms of just about any size, but it may be easier on weekends or public holidays to find someone with a garden fork who will dig them for you. Just about any patch of lawn with a sprinkler going in the summer, or a compost heap in the winter, is worth digging up.
Wrigglers are the best type of worm for catching snapper and the other members of the bream family (groper, blackfish, etc).
When Is the Best Time to Catch Snapper?
Early morning and evening is the best time for snapper, since many fish feed at night and rely on a low light for camouflage. Larger fish can be easily spooked so silence with careful presentation pays dividends!
The tide is important when fishing in shallower areas; places like beaches often have their productive zones dry out completely during low tide while deeper water locations tend to stay active all day long even without any tidal changes the effect varies from place to place but most locales will fare better if you go casting or trolling there after high waters retreat around noon each day (or before).
What is the best month to catch snapper?
Snapper can be found year-round in Florida, their migration patterns do not change drastically. But does this mean it’s a good idea to fish for snapper all year?
The short answer is no. There are some months of the year that have been noted as better than others for catching snapper, and these months vary from region to region.
In the northwestern region of Florida, September and October have been noted as prime months for snapper fishing because this is when they are migrating southwards. The water will be colder at this time, but there’s a greater chance of catching snapper. It is also noted that if you want to catch red snapper during their mating season between August and September, you should go to the northern region of Florida (between Tallahassee and Pensacola).
In the mid-western region of Florida (Tampa area), April and May are prime months for snapper fishing. These months coincide with many species of fish migrating from the Gulf Of Mexico back into deep waters after the spawning season.
In the southwestern region of Florida, specifically around Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor, fall months are good for snapper fishing because this is when they’re migrating southwards again. However, it is noted that snappers can be caught in spring and summer in this region as well because they stay in smaller schools.
The southeastern region of Florida (between Miami and Titusville) is noted as the region to go to if you want to catch snappers during their mating season. These months are between May and June, which is why these months are also good for catching trout, mackerel, and other species.
What size hooks for snapper?
Hook sizes play a significant role in snapper fishing. The size of hook required depends on the size and age of the snapper you’re targeting, and also the method used to catch them. For example: if you’re using lures or baits, larger hooks that can withstand sharp teeth are usually used. But if you’re catching snapper by hand, you can use smaller hooks since the fish will most likely be in a weak or injured state.
Snapper up to 3kg (smallest hook size)
For a snapper less than 10lbs (3.5kg), the smallest hook should preferably be bigger than 4/0 but smaller than 7/0. This is because snappers less than 10lbs are usually medium to small-sized fish, and their mouths aren’t as sharp as adults. In some cases you can use a hamlet hook for a snapper of this size as 3/0 – 4/0 would be too big.
Snapper between 10lbs-20lbs (medium hook size)
For snappers between 10lbs and 20lbs (4.5kg and 9kg), you should use hooks that range from 6/0 – 8/0. Snapper of this size is most likely to be older fish with sharper teeth, so the larger-sized hooks provide extra strength against their bites.
Snapper over 20lbs (largest hook size)
For snapper 20lbs and above, a minimum of a 10/0 hook is recommended. Although fish this big may not necessarily have sharper teeth, it’s better to err on the side of caution by selecting a larger-sized hook to accommodate for any potential future growth.
Conclusion
Fishing for the snapper is not an easy task. It takes patience, skill and knowledge to figure out how best to reel in this fish. There are many factors that could cause you to fail at catching them- from knowing what bait they like to use a rod with enough strength to pull it up after reeling it in. The one thing you will want on your side is luck! Luck can be attributed as being just as important as all of the other qualities mentioned above when trying to catch a channel catfish. Buyer beware though because there are no guarantees that these tips will lead you straight into a success! You’ll have the best chance if you put forth the effort and use good judgment combined with some serious fishing skills.