Red Snapper on the Charter Boat Gulf Grouper

1 June Red Snapper are in season American Red Snapper are one of the most delicious fish available to anglers in the Gulf of Mexico west of Hernando Beach. To the surprise of many anglers these fish are not hard to catch once you find them. Most of the time Red Snapper are found in depths greater than forty feet and relate to most bottom structure. Snapper tend to congregate around and above Reefs, ledges, wrecks, and hard bottom areas. To catch Red Snapper, an angler simply has to get a bait close to the structure and wait for the fish to bite. One terminal tackle method that has proven to be effective is the standard bottom rig, that consists of a sinker, a swivel, 4 feet of leader material, and a circle hook. Another method is the "knocker rig", that consists of a circle hook and a lead sinker that slides freely on the line to the eye of the hook. Dead bait, Live bait, Squid, Mullet, Pinfish, Cigar Minnows, Northern Mackerel, and Threadfin Herring; are all acceptable for catching Snapper. Most of the time when you discover Snapper, they are in schools and compete for the bait presented to them. Lastly, be prepared for Gag, and Red Grouper they usually inhabit the same areas. Fishing for the American Red Snapper is exciting and well worth the expense and time to run off-shore. Keep in mind, the daily bag limit for Red Snapper is two fish per person. Capt Rick Rodriguez 727-992-9494 www.gulfgrouper.com