Saltwater Fish - Red Snapper

Red Snapper

Lutjanus campechanus

AKA:  American red snapper

Distinguishing Markings:

Brick red on its head and upper body, whitish silver below; long rectangular snout, and brilliant red eyes.

Size: 

Up to 80 pounds, most 5 to 25 lbs.

Distribution:

Southern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico

Habitat:

Bottom feeders, found near drilling platforms, on deep banks and artificial reefs

Food Preference:

Bottom feeding on squid and baitfish

Spawning:

Spawns June to October

Fishing Tips:

Requires stout tackle.  Use bottom fishing tactics near wrecks, oil rigs, and over reefs, with baits of squid, medium size fish, strips of bloody tunny. Suspended fish caught using heavy jigs tipped with strip bait just off the bottom.  Red snapper seem to prefer a still or slowly moving bait.  Squid whole fish and cut bait can be used to entice red snapper to bite. By chumming them up to the surface, flies can also be used.

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