Red Snapper

 

Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus)

 

1. Size: Red snapper can reach a length of 40 inches and a weight of 50 pounds.
2. Habitat: Most red snapper are caught far offshore (20+ miles) while fishing deeper (100+ ft.) structure such as wrecks, reefs, or hard bottom.  
3. Bait: Their diet primarily consists of smaller fish, crustaceans, and marine invertebrates. Live pilchards, cigar minnows, pinfish, squid, shrimp, and crabs can all work well as bait. Artificial lures such as bucktail and diamond jigs can also entice a strike. 
4. Tackle: Red snapper are a popular target for sport fishing due to their fighting ability and large size. Heavy spinning or conventional gear is recommended, especially when fishing near structure. 
5. Food Value: Red snapper taste too good for their own good – as a result their populations are threatened and highly regulated.