Red snapper is a common game fish in Florida waters. They can be found at depths up to 450m in estuaries. Snappers thrive in Florida because they love warmer climates. They can reach one meter in length if they are allowed to grow in the right conditions. There are different types of snapper in the gulf and there are over 100 species of snappers worldwide. You can find some of them in Florida’s waters. These are the five most sought-after snapper species in Florida.
Red Snapper
Because of its incredible size, the Red Snapper is Florida’s most beloved snapper. It can grow to as much as 50 pounds. It can be found in Florida on bridges and at piers. You will also find it offshore, off both coasts. The red snapper is some of the most delicious fish you will ever have the pleasure of eating. This makes it a prize catch by anglers all over the world.
Baits and Lures
- For bait, squid, cut bait (such as mullet or sardines), and live bait (such as pilchards or pinfish) are effective choices for catching Red Snapper.
- Jigs, particularly butterfly jigs, can be effective for catching Red Snapper in deeper waters.
- Vertical jigs and slow-pitch jigs can also be effective for targeting Red Snapper, particularly when fishing in deeper waters.
- Other effective lures for Red Snapper include crankbaits and soft plastic baits. It’s important to choose lures that mimic the natural prey of Red Snapper, such as small fish and crustaceans.
Mangrove Snapper
The Mangrove Snapper, also known as the gray Snapper, is also common in Florida’s saltwater. Because they gather in small areas of mangroves throughout the state, it is known as the mangrove snapper. Inshore juveniles can be found in mangroves and tidal streams, while adults are often found nearshore in wrecks, rocks, and coral reefs. Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Sebastian are the best places to find them.
Baits and Lures
- Live shrimp, pilchards, and small baitfish are the best baits for Mangrove Snapper.
- Jigs with soft plastic tails, bucktail jigs, and small crankbaits are effective lures for Mangrove Snapper.
- Mangrove Snapper are known to be picky eaters, so it’s important to match the hatch and use the bait or lure that best mimics their natural prey.
Yellowtail Snapper
The yellow tail makes the yellowtail snapper stand out. Although smaller than its Red Snapper cousin, it is just as delicious. It eats mostly shrimps and can be caught off the coast of Florida, up to 300 feet. It is most common in the Florida Keys during the summer months.
Baits and Lures
- Live shrimp
- Squid
- Cut ballyhoo
- Feather jigs
- Bucktail jigs
- Sabiki rigs
- Small crankbaits
- Soft plastic baits in pink or white color
- Fluorocarbon leader with a small hook and a split shot.
Mutton Snapper
The mutton snapper is one of the most common snappers in South Florida, especially when they spawn. It is found in the inland areas of mangroves and canals, where it eats smaller fishes as well as snails. You can occasionally catch it in the Gulf Coast, such as the Middle Grounds.
Baits and Lures
- Baits: live shrimp, pilchards, pinfish, grunts, ballyhoo, and squid.
- Lures: jigs, bucktail jigs, soft plastic lures, and swimbaits in colors such as pink, red, and white.
Cubera Snapper
This snapper can grow to over 110 pounds. Juveniles are found inshore in grass beds, while adults can be found nearshore and offshore on rocky reefs, wrecks, ledges and wrecks, where they feed on crustaceans and fishes. The Florida Keys are home to the cubera snapper, especially in late summer when they spawn. This is one of the many different types of snapper in the gulf.
Baits and Lures
- Live baitfish such as mullet, pinfish, or grunts
- Cut bait such as bonito, squid, or octopus
- Jigs or bucktail jigs in dark colors like black, purple, or brown
- Deep-diving crankbaits or swimbaits that imitate small baitfish or eels
- Topwater plugs or poppers in larger sizes to entice bigger Cubera Snapper
Lane Snapper
Lane snappers are great for family fishing trips. They are colorful, delicious, and easy to catch. They are well-known for their stubbornness and willingness to take baits that other Snappers wouldn’t dare touch. These fish can be found in shallow water (20 feet), so you don’t have to venture far from shore to see them.
Lane snapper can be easily identified by their single black spot and yellow stripes. They are also known as “Spot Snapper” because of their yellow stripes and single black spot. At the dinner table, they will be easily recognized by their delicate flavor and soft white meat. They aren’t the largest of the group, which is the only problem. Lane Snappers are about a foot in length and weigh less than one pound.
Baits and Lures
- Live shrimp
- Squid
- Small jigs
- Cut bait (e.g. squid, mullet, sardines)
- Sabiki rigs
- Berkley Gulp! baits (e.g. shrimp, crab, squid)
Queen Snapper
These long-bodied, sleek fish are next on our list of “red snappers but not red snapper”. They look quite different from the rest of the family. Their size is reflected in their long, trailing tails and large fins. A 20-inch fish can only weigh a few pounds. They are delicious and bulky, but they taste great.
Queen snapper’s eccentric looks may have something to do their location. They don’t usually appear above 300 feet and have been captured up to a quarter mile below the surface in the past. They are one of the most deep-living Snapper species in Florida.
Queen Snapper is a protected species in some areas, and fishing for them may be prohibited or highly regulated.
Baits and Lures
- Baits: Squid, shrimp, sardines, mullet, pilchards, ballyhoo
- Lures: Jigs, bucktail jigs, soft plastic baits, jerkbaits, crankbaits
Vermilion Snapper
We promise this is the last red fish we will cover called “Snapper”. Although they don’t have the same fame as their bigger brother, Vermilion Snapper are still quite tasty. They are often called “Beeliners” and they live in open water, over rocky reefs or structure, and chase small bait fish and squid.
It is difficult to distinguish between red snapper and vermilion snapper. Their mouths are the most obvious clue. Vermilion snapper are small-mouthed and have no canine teeth. You don’t want to get too close to your catch. They are also easily identifiable by their square anal fins (bottom), and overall size. They are rarely more than 2 pounds.
Baits and Lures
- Baits: squid, cut fish, shrimp, and crab
- Jigs: vertical jigs in red, orange, or pink colors
- Rigging: use a two-hook dropper rig with a weight at the bottom and bait on the hooks
- Trolling: try using cedar plugs or diving plugs in colors such as red or pink.
Schoolmaster Snapper
The schoolmaster snapper (Lutjanus Apdus), is a common lutjanid (snapper), within coral reefs in the Bahamas, Florida and the Caribbean. The body color of the fish is either brownish or olive-grey with fins that are yellow and eight horizontal bars that are not visible in the adult or not.
A blue-colored line is located just below the eye. It can be broken or solid and could disappear as the species matures. This species has a long, pointed nose and a large, elongated mouth. The closed mouth can show a pair of canine canine teeth at the upper end. The pectoral fins, which are long and reach the anus level, are very large.
Baits and Lures
- Live shrimp or small live fish like pilchards or pinfish
- Squid or cut bait like bonito or mullet
- Jigs with colorful tails, bucktail jigs or feathered jigs in orange or pink color
- Small poppers, topwater lures or jerkbaits to entice a feeding frenzy
Blackfin Snapper
The Blackfin snapper looks very similar to the red snapper. However, the blackfin has a distinct black crescent “spot”. Their large eyes have a more orange- or amber-colored appearance, while the Red Snapper’s eyes appear pinkish-red. They can be found in the Atlantic or Gulf, and they become more common as you move south. You can find them in sandy bottom or rocky areas with 200-300 feet of water. Blackfins are a great choice for table food and are often sold at restaurants and markets as Red Snapper.
Baits and Lures
- Baits: live pilchards, sardines, or herring; chunk baits of squid or bonito
- Lures: vertical jigs, surface poppers, cedar plugs, feather jigs, and swimbaits in blue or green colors.
Salty Knots Fishing Charters Services
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Capt Avery Hughes of the Salty Knots Fishing Charter has been fishing for Snapper for over 15 years! Him and his team will get you hooked up with these amazing fish and send you home with fresh filets of delicious snapper. We knowledge to help you cath the different types of snapper in the gulf. Call today to book a fishing trip of a lifetime!
