In the Gulf of Mexico, many red snapper is found at depths more than one-hundred feet. They gets thick on the other end when hooked. It’s exciting but be cautious as these fish struggles with rising to the surface. Before taking them aboard learn about the fish. If a fish are undersized or better off released, proper care will determines whether it survives.
Use the chart to see how much the fish should of weigh based off its length. This helps you make instant decisions without guesswork. A lot of folks think about the battle and not the biology. Most people don’t realize that red snapper don’t grows as fast as most reef species. Red snapper are slow growers compared to many reef species, which is why conservation limits feels so strict.
Tips for Catching Red Snapper
A six pounder may be just a couple of years old (two or three) and not mature yet. Many consider them mature when they hit six pounds, but returning small fish to the water immediately allow them the opportunity to become trophies in their future. Catching and keeping only legal sized keepers aids the overall recovery of the population. And as you can see from the chart, a one-year-old is roughly ten inches and by twenty years old he will exceeds thirty inches. So be patient.
Keep in mind that Atlantic waters have different size requirements than those found in the Gulf. The Gulf has a 16 inch minimum, equating to an average of about two and a half pound fish. That’s big enough for most table fare. Atlantic states each has their own requirements too, but some have a 10 inch minimum, giving them more wiggle room.
Always be aware of your area regulations prior to launch as they’re subject to change year to year according to the stock assessment. It’ll cost you if you don’t stay up-to-date and it hurts the resource too. Don’t blow a great day on the water due to not paying attention to paperwork. But that’s where the true trial starts: pulling a legal snapper into the boat.
Because the fish were caught at depths where gas expands in its swim bladder, rapid ascent to the surface result in barotrauma. That means a swollen belly, the fish floating upside down and potentially death without intervention. But there is hope; it’s called a descending device or, better yet, a venting tool. With one of these tools, you’re able to return the fish to depth while giving it time to self-vent and equalize its internal pressure. While they require more practice and equipment survival increases dramatically.
The picture shows how important it is to rise slow from the water. The tackle isn’t as important as its ability to get into the depths. Now circle hooks are used which greatly minimize gut hook injuries. Using 40 pound leader is normaly enough, but it can be increased when going after those rare giants that weigh more than thirty pounds. As far as baits go, they are simple too. Everywhere cut squid gets the job done. It stays on the hook well and releases a slow scent.
Cigar minnows or fresh shrimp will give some action to trigger strikes when fish aren’t feeding aggressively. Keep your bait alive and get your weight up so you clear the muck layer fast. You must know when to hunt. The seasons define what depth to target. In the warmer months, they move shallow, sometimes as shallow as sixty feet of water in spring. By winter time, they is deeper than two-hundred-feet, making it more difficult and costlier to fish.
Knowing their location can not only save money but improve your chances at getting a bite. You’re primarily targeting a band of temperatures from seventy-five-degrees down to about fifty-six-degrees Fahrenheit. Outside that range, they goes dormant or scatter.
The payoff comes when it’s time to put the catch on the table. Whole red snapper is as good as it gets for baking and grilling. The flesh is firm with just the right amount of sweetness. When filleted, you can expect roughly 40 percent of the fish’s bodyweight to be cleaned fillets, which isn’t too shabby at all. If your intention is to enjoy a quality fish fresh from the water then it makes sense to go out there and catch a quality-sized fish.
But every fish that we release responsibly today will lead to more fishing tomorrow. So make sure to check the size. Respect the depth. Look at each fish as an investment in the future of the reef. That’s how you keep the sport alive for yourself and others.