During the colder months when the fishing pressure is down. And the ocean take on the look of an inland lake rather than a fish bowl in a washing machine. This is the perfect time of the year that many a snapper enthusiast go after the made to order, primo of the game fish species. Although there may be some of you anglers out there that beg to differ with my choice of species of the gulf. For those of us who have had the pleasure of tasting red snapper blackened cajun style or grilled and swimming in a cheese sauce mexican style, will be sure to back me on this choice. Be it the smaller version or the more commonly known as sow snapper that easily get into the double digit pound classification. This game fish will not be a disappoint when you reel up your line and find one of these primo fish on your hook.
The only draw back to going after this species, except for those who are already set up, is you must have a decent size boat. Which is why many a die hard snapper fishermen opt to move up to the larger size boats in the first place. Forever forsaking those by gone day of cruising the backwater flats in search of those stringers and trout. But for those of us not fortunate enough to afford one of these floating cities that seemly take more money to fill up with gas than most of us pay for a monthly mortgage payment. Take solace in the fact there will be a few days out of the year that we dingy captain can go bouncing out in the oceans with the big boys. But for the most part this will always be there turf. There is definitely nothing more stressful than fighting 8 to 10 ft. waves on the way back from a successful fishing trip.
Red Snapper love structure and deep water, from 20 to 100 fathoms. Oil rigs, sunken ships, reefs and offshore banks are just some of the different type of structure that will attract snapper. This particular game fish is very school oriented which they use for defense as well as feeding practices. And once you've located one you can be sure there will be several more hanging around. The larger of the species known as sow snapper although to tend to group up in schools will not have a many as the smaller of the species have in theirs. Snapper will usually hold just off the bottom around the structure but may come closer to the surface when they start to feed. Baits of choice is squid for two reasons. One they prefer to feed on this type of bait and two it is harder for the other unwanted species to pick off your hook on the way down. Jigs and Spoons also work well when going after these fillets of the deep. Using a little squid accompanying your lure will help in your catch ratio.
But be careful when starting to seriously make this particular species your targets of your fishing expeditions. This type of fishing is very addictive, and as with most addictive behavior, quitting can some time prove difficult. This holds especially true when you have any luck at it. Once you have caught your first ice chest full of sow snapper and had the pleasure of tasting their delicious fillet melting in your mouth,it may be too late to turn back. Before you realize what you have done you will be trading in that tunnel boat for a 20 + floating barge. Rigged out with twin Johnson ocean runner and horde of snapper rods to boot. Your wife and kids will become faint memories and you a driven to the search for the perfect snapper hole. Your former friends will soon follow suite cause this form of addiction carries along it's own form of family. Boat dealers and tackle store clerks will substitute for your wife and kids. Gas stations and boat docks will now know you on a first name basis. But never fear your old and new found fishing partners will never be closer, except when its time to pay for the gas.
Although snapper fishing does have its' draw backs. The feeling you get when you bring in that first ice chest overflowing with snapper will be hard to forget. And who knows if you one of the lucky ones maybe the wife and kids may get hooked as well. But then that would be Utopia and we all know there is no such place!!!!!