The 7 best spinning reels 2019; Red Snapper Fishing Characteristics and habits of red snapper. Capt.

Here are some tips when fishing for red snapper: When you get a bite, crank the hook, don’t try to set it…remember: “Crank it, don’t yank it.”. The best bait for Red Snapper is live bait. All snappers are active predators. Therefore, some of the best baits to use for red snapper are cigar minnows, pinfish, sardines, eels, shrimp, crabs, squid, snails or mussels, herring or amberjack strips, etc.

Dead bait can draw bites, but BIG live bait will be your best bet if you're looking for a trophy-worthy catch. Grouper tend to be less picky and love Sardines.


When you hit bottom, hold bottom. Lifestyle and habitat of snappers coincide with one of the names – reef. Red Snapper tend to be wary, and they don't bite if they notice anything suspicious. Dylan likes to use bonito strips because they’re smelly, oily, and red snapper can’t turn them down.

Try Cigar Minnows, Pilchards, Pinfish and Ruby Red Lips. Combining lures such as Bluefox Skarpsildas, Yo-Zuri Blanka or the Metallic Sardine with cut bait, can result in more bites. Herrings, especially the Threadfin herring, reach a good 4-to-5 inch size, and are about as shiny as they come, making them perfect Red snapper baits.
Threadfins can be found live at coastal bait shops during the right season, but are also easily caught yourself using a Sabiki rig with small tips of shrimp. The largest number of species is associated with the regions with the greatest distribution of reefs, including coral.