Fishing – 06-24-2015

It’s time to put some snapper in your mullet wrapper

An abundance of mangrove snapper is a welcome sight in our local waters.

It’s also a great addition to the dinner menu.

Most artificial reefs, wrecks and rock piles in Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico are prime hosts for these tasty fish.

To catch these snapper, a number of baits can be used. The two we use most frequently are live shiners and live shrimp. During the summer months, you probably want to use shiners over shrimp due to the abundance of pinfish, grunts and other small nibblers that have taken up residence on the reef. The use of shrimp when these “bait stealers” are present can prove to be frustrating. The small bait stealers will beat the snapper to the shrimp, resulting in the use of a lot of bait and little to no luck with the snapper.

For rigging, try using a generous section of 20-pound fluorocarbon leader — 4 or 5 feet — combined with an egg sinker and a circle hook. Let the egg sinker rest directly on the eye of the hook and the rig is complete. This rig is called a knocker rig.

Now, while a 20-pound leader is a good starting point, you’ll have to judge for yourself if you choose to go lighter. If the water is clear, you may want to try some 15-pound test. If the water is cloudy, you can probably get away with a 30-pound leader. Hook sizes will also vary depending on the water clarity and mood of the snapper. A 2/0 circle hook works well. So, use that as a starting point. Then use your knowledge to experiment and see what works best in the water conditions.

Remember, mangrove snapper have a minimum-size limit of 10 inches. The bag limit is five per person. When targeting snapper — or any other reef species — FWC would like you to use circle hooks, so don’t get caught fishing without them.

Capt. Warren Girle is targeting mangrove snapper around local artificials reefs. In water depths ranging 30-40 feet, Girle is finding a good bite on keeper-size snapper. Bottom fishing with live shiners for bait is resulting in snapper in the 15- to 20-inch range. While targeting snapper, Girle is catching Key West Grunts, juvenile grouper and the occasional flounder.

While working around structure in nearshore waters, Girle is finding an abundance of Spanish mackerel. By using a 1/0 long shank hook, a live shiner and a few feet of fluorocarbon leader, Girle’s clients are reeling up macks in the 24-inch range.

Finally, tarpon remain targetable in our local waters and Girle is patrolling the beaches of Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island in search of schooling fish. Once a school is spotted, Girle is casting live crabs or threadfin herring ahead of the school to attract a bite. Fish up to 150 pounds are coming to the bait.

Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says the mangrove snapper bite is on the upward swing. The numbers of fish taking up residence under the pier are on the rise, which is resulting in catches that are more frequent. Pier fishers using live shrimp or live shiners as bait are reeling up snapper 10-14 inches.

Pier fishers targeting snapper are catching the occasional flounder and juvenile snook.

Fishers opting to use artificials such as jigs and spoons are catching their fair share of Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and ladyfish. All three species can be found patrolling the schools of small baitfish, which have taken up residence around the structure of the pier.

Capt. Aaron Lowman at Island Discount Tackle in Holmes Beach is in pursuit of inshore species, such as spotted seatrout, along the flats of Anna Maria Sound and Sarasota Bay. By free-lining live shiners over the flat, Lowman is finding an abundant amount of trout 12-15 inches. Keeper-size fish in the 15-18 inch range are being caught too, but only through persistence.

Mangrove snapper are in Lowman’s crosshairs while fishing inshore. Local artificial reefs and rock piles are producing limits of snapper for Lowman’s clients, and free-lining or bottom fishing with live shiners, they’re reeling up fish in the 15-inch range.

Finally, tarpon are along the beaches and Lowman is in tow. Casting live crabs or threadfin herring into schooling fish is resulting in catches of 80-120 pound silver kings.

Capt. Rick Gross of Fishy Business Charters is cashing in on the abundance of snook in southern Tampa Bay. By fishing the entrances of bays — especially around mangrove islands and oyster bars — Gross is hooking up with respectable numbers of these summertime catch-and-release fish. Free-lining live shiners to feeding fish is resulting in catches of 20-26 inches.

Mangrove snapper are another species Gross is cashing in on this week. By fishing local reefs and wrecks, Gross is producing mangrove snapper up to 18 inches. These shallow-water snapper are being taken on shiners. Bottom rigs and flat line rigs are producing a bite.

Finally, Gross is targeting tarpon along the beaches of Anna Maria Island and Egmont Key. Live crabs or threadfin herring are go-to baits. Both are producing catches 100-150 pounds.

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