Anglers from all over the world love Snappers for a variety of reasons. They’re usually easy to locate, are abundant in population, and provide a tasty treat. Heck, here at home, just the names “Mangrove Snapper” and “Red Snapper” get every saltwater fisher’s heart racing.
But before you think about cooking one up for a tasty treat, you’ll need to know how to land one. And that’s why I’m here today. While Snappers will bite almost anything, there are a few best Snapper baits that you should be familiar with. So in this article, I’ll talk about the characteristics and insights of fishing for this species, focusing on the best baits that entice them to bite.
Popular Snapper Species
Before diving into the bait section, let me introduce you to some different Snappers. 125 Snapper species inhabit the earth’s oceans, but the following are the most common in North America:
- Red Snapper
- Cubera Snapper
- Lane Snapper
- Mutton Snapper
- Mangrove Snapper
- Yellowtail Snapper
Out of all those listed above, Red Snappers are the most sought-after. Feisty, tasty, and picture-perfect, they’re on everyone’s radar. Cubera Snappers are another popular Snapper species. They can be harder to find, unless you’re on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Species such as Mangrove and Yellowtail Snappers are smaller, but they’re equally entertaining to catch and delicious to eat.
Snapper Bait Basics
In order to lure Snappers your way, you primarily have to understand their whereabouts and eating habits. Presenting bait without nailing the timing and hitting the right spot won’t end up in a bragging story. So, here’s an overview of how to go about hunting for Snappers.
Where to Find Snappers
Snappers are easy to locate all around the world. They’re heavily populated around the United States, especially in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Along with Mexico, as mentioned before, you can find them in plenty of other countries ranging from the Caribbean to the Pacific, and even the Indian Oceans!
You may be thinking that all these regions have different features. You may also think, “I’ve never been to any of these places! How will I know where the hotspots are?” The answer is simple. As long as you know what type of area to look for, you should have no problem finding some Snapper. Here goes…
Snappers like structure. They like to be somewhere that gives them a place to hide when they feel threatened. They also like areas that have action from other species, such as bait fish. This can be inshore, such as mangroves, bays, docks, piers, jetties, and oyster beds. But it can also be offshore, such as wrecks, reefs, pilings, and rocky bottoms. Just remember, the larger species usually live offshore.
When to Go Fishing for Snappers
Snappers, especially the smaller species, can be found throughout the day so you can hook up to them anytime. Despite this, the most productive times are around dawn and dusk.
Another tip: plan your trip around higher, outgoing tides, as the fishing bite is more productive around this time. Snapper will be on the prowl for flushed-out bait fish and any nutrients that are stirred up from the bottom.
In addition, the best time of year to catch Snapper species is summer. The fish are most prevalent as they enjoy the warmer temperatures. A lot of Snapper also will be spawning around this time, so they’ll be fired up and hungry.
Best Snapper Baits
Now that we’ve plunged into the characteristics of various Snapper species and the basics of how and when to fish for Snappers, let’s get into the good stuff – the best Snapper baits! Live and artificial baits are both productive for Snapper fishing, and they tend to like quite a few options. Let’s explore them…
Live Bait
Pilchards
Pilchards are a great option for live bait for Snapper because they range in size. That means you can use them for any Snapper species. Mangrove Snapper will tear up smaller ones when fishing the inshore waters. Red and Cubera Snapper will have fun chasing larger ones in the offshore wrecks. You can find pilchards both inshore and offshore, although the bigger ones live mostly offshore near bait piles and wrecks.
Mullet
Mullet are another productive choice for Snapper fishing. You can easily find finger mullet in the mangrove islands and shallower waters, especially in summertime swimming in schools along beaches. Take larger-sized ones – around 12 inches – and bring them to the reefs and structures offshore. You’ll feel a hard thump once a large Snapper is on the other line.
Pinfish
Next up we have pinfish. These are common in bait shops but you can also catch some on your own. The best technique is to cast a net over any patch of grass in shallow waters. Freeline these guys near a mangrove patch or deep sea structure, and you should have a Snapper bite in no time.
Cigar Minnows
Experienced offshore anglers recommend cigar minnows as the top bait for Red Snapper. If you’re fishing the deep wrecks and targeting large Snapper, you’ll want to use these guys. You can cast net your own within 10 miles from shore. They travel in groups and tend to make a boil disturbance at the water’s surface. You may also find that some bait shops sell them live.
Shrimp
Here comes one of the most common, yet efficient, baits. Shrimp are great because they’re so plentiful. You can get dozens of lively shrimp at local bait shops or you can find plenty of frozen packs at grocery shops. Inshore Snapper love to eat shrimp and, if you can secure some larger ones, the deeper fish will appreciate it too.
Cut Bait
Cut bait is another popular option for real bait, although it may not be live. You can use freshly dead bait as cut bait or you can purchase frozen packages in local grocery stores or bait shops. Examples of cut bait include mackerel, bonito, small tuna, ladyfish, squid, and more.
Artificial Baits
Swimbaits
The most popular option of artificial lures for Snapper fishing is the use of a swimbait and a jig head. These range in colors and sizes, and some come covered in scent. You can even find some that are disguised as bait fish, such as the Gulp! shrimp. These mimic the shape and color of a bait species.
Jigs
Jigs are popular for deep sea fishing for large Snapper. Funky colors, moving features, and sometimes interesting noises attract nearby Snapper and entice them to eat.
Jerk Baits
Jerk baits can be on the water (topwater) or underneath the surface. You jerk the rod to create a jerking, zig-zag motion of the bait. This helps to make it look more realistic. They also tend to make noise to further attract hungry fish. The use of treble hooks increases the chance of a better hookset. This can come in handy, especially for larger species.
Use the Best Snapper Baits to Land That Dream Catch
I hope you’re eager to get out there and catch yourself a Snapper! No matter the size or location, these fish are fun to fight and delicious when cooked at home. Hopefully, you now have every weapon in your arsenal – or at least know what you need – to land the catch you’ve always wanted!
Are you a regular Snapper angler? What are your best Snapper baits? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
