How to Catch a Red Snapper

The red snapper is commonly known as the yellow-eye rockfish and lives on the bottom of bodies of water. The red snapper travel in large schools during the spring and are found at great depths, and prey on other small fish, squid and shrimp. Use the steps provided to catch a red snapper.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fishing tackle

1. Plan a fishing expedition for mid-summer. This time of year is ideal for locating large schools of adult red snapper. Catch younger snapper as early as mid-spring.

2. Fish the waters of the southern United States, including Georgia, Florida and Alabama. These warm waters provide an excellent environment for the red snapper. Many red snapper are caught in the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts southward.

3. Rig the fishing line with 15- to 20-lb. line. Weight the line with an 8 to 16 oz. sinker.

4. Bait the hook with shrimp, mullet or even squid. The larger red snapper prefer larger chunks of bait. Palm-sized portions work best for adult snapper.

5. Troll the line at a depth where the red snapper will be. Use a depth finder to locate the snapper schools and troll the area just above the fish. Raising and then lowering the bait up 10 feet and then back down 10 feet again and again is a common technique to get the snapper's attention.

Tips & Warnings

• Take along a guide or charter a boat that knows the waters and where red snapper are. Most guides charge a small fee to accompany fishermen, yet provide invaluable advice and tips.
• Travel far out from the Gulf shore. Move out 70 miles or so to find plentiful supplies of red snapper.
• Know and follow the rules and regulations on red snapper fishing. Authorities place special restrictions on red snapper. Contact fishing authorities in the area being fished for details.

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