How many different types of SNAPPER are there in Florida waters?- Outdoor Adventures for Fishing, Sport fishing, Boat Charters | iOutdoor CONTACT US How many different types of SNAPPER are there in Florida waters? How many different types of SNAPPER are there in Florida waters? How many different types of SNAPPER are there in Florida waters? Snappers, particularly the red snapper, are quite common game fishes in Florida waters. Known to thrive in estuaries up to depths of 450 meters, they feed in freshwater in search of smaller fishes and crustaceans though a few species’ main diet consists of planktons. Florida is the perfect place for snappers to thrive since they prefer warmer climates. In perfect conditions, they can grow up to one meter in length. All over the world, there are more than 100 species of snappers discovered. Some of the, can be found in the waters of Florida. Here are the top five most popular snapper species in Florida: 1. Red Snapper The Red Snapper is the most popular snapper in Florida because of its amazing size which could grow from 3 pounds to 50 pounds.

Areas to find it in the state during open season include bridges and piers, and also offshore on the continental shelf particularly off the Panhandle and Northern coasts. 2. Mangrove Snapper Also known as the Gray Snapper, the Mangrove Snapper is also widespread in Florida’s saltwater. It is called as such because they congregate in small mangrove areas all around the state. Other than mangroves, juveniles can also be found inshore in inland waterways, tidal creeks and grass beds while adults typically thrive nearshore and offshore in wrecks, rock and coral reefs. Popular areas to catch it include the areas of Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Sebastian and Daytona. 3. Yellowtail Snapper Most distinguishable due to its yellow tail, the Yellowtail Snapper is smaller but just as tasty compared to its cousin, the Red Snapper. Feeding mostly on shrimps, it can be caught offshore in Florida up to depths of 300 feet. During the summer months, it is most abundant in the Florida Keys. 4. Mutton Snapper One of the largest snappers, the Mutton Snapper can be found in South Florida especially during the months from spring to fall when they spawn.

It can be found in inland areas along mangroves and canals where it feeds on preys like smaller fishes and snails. It can also be sporadically caught in the Gulf coast such as the Middle Ground. 5. Cubera Snapper This fish is the largest of the snapper family, growing up to more than 110 pounds in size. Juveniles can be found conglomerating inshore in grass beds while adults thrive nearshore and offshore in rocky reefs, ledges and wrecks where they feed on fishes and crustaceans. The Cubera Snapper is mostly predominant in Florida Keys especially during late summer when they spawn. Other species of the Snapper family that can be found in Florida include the following: the Lane Snapper, Mahogany Snapper, Blackfin Snapper, Dog Snapper, Queen Snapper, Schoolmaster, Silk Snapper and Vermilion Snapper. Share this: What is red snapper? - Health Value Of Foods - Sharecare Health Value Of Foods A Dr. Michael T. Murray, ND , Naturopathic Medicine, answered There are about 185 species of snapper worldwide, all of which belong to the Lutjanidae family of fish.

Red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) is a firm, white-meat deep-saltwater fish characterized by a red-and-pink upper body and silvery whitish skin below. Both the flesh and skin of this fish are commonly served as fillets. Red snapper can live up to 50 years and can grow to 3 feet in length. Red snapper has a mild flavor, making it quite easily adapted to a variety of preparation methods. Due to the popularity of snapper around the world, imitator fishes have surfaced to meet the demand. "Pacific red snapper," for example, is not actually red snapper but red rockfish. As a result, it is advisable to buy red snapper only from a verifiable source or a reputable market. Find out more about this book: Red Snapper - Barbecue and Grilling Guide Red Snapper A great fish, just make sure it's really Red Snapper Annabelle Breakey/Digital Vision/Getty Images By Derrick Riches Updated August 25, 2016. Red Snapper is one of the most popular of all white fish. In fact, snapper is increasingly becoming a generic term for white fish.

Red Snapper can be found all over the world with most fish being harvested in the Gulf of Mexico and Indonesia. The high demand has led to a high price and the high price has led to fish fraud. A University of North Carolina class project found 17 out of 22 fish they bought labeled as Red Snapper were actually some other kind of snapper. This is, of course, illegal, but the USDA doesn't have the staff or the funding to enforce it. Anyway, the lesson here is to buy your fish from someone who knows what they are actually selling. Real Red Snapper has a great, firm texture and a sweet, nutty flavor that lends itself very well to everything from hot chilies to subtle herbs. And, of course, Red Snapper is excellent for grilling. Red Snapper can reach weights of up to 35 pounds, but most fish sold are well under that size. continue reading below our video Knives: You're Doing it Wrong The fish is also found whole or in fillets. Whole fish can be found in weights from about 2 to 5 pounds. Whole red Snapper is a great grill. While it might seem difficult, grilling whole fish really isn't hard.

The skin acts to hold the whole thing together and to protect the meat from the flame. After all, you don't eat the skin. Simply take a whole Red Snapper, fill the body with lemon slices, chili peppers, butter, herbs and spice and you are ready to grill. While you want a hot grill you want the fish itself to sit over a lower heat, not necessarily indirect grilling , but low direct heat. In many parts of the world, the way to grill snapper is on a wet banana leaf , so if you can get some of these you should try it. You might also try grilling it on a cedar plank, always a great way to grill fish. As I said before, Red Snapper can be expensive. It is a favorite in many restaurants and so they buy up a lot of what's available. If you can not find or can't afford Red Snapper you can try a different kind of snapper. Caribbean Red Snapper is about the closest to the traditional Red Snapper you will find. Also, mutton, vermilion, mangrove, and yellowtail are all similar kinds of snapper that will do for most any recipe that calls for Red Snapper.

When buying whole Red Snapper look for clear, red eyes, bright red skin that fades towards the belly. If you are looking for fillets try to buy it with the skin on. This will help hold the fish together and lets you get a look at the skin to make sure it’s the real thing. Grilling with the skin on is not only easier but helps hold some of the flavors to the fish. I wouldn't suggest putting out a lot of money for a Red Snapper fillet that doesn't have the skin. You can also shop for Red Snapper year round since it is constantly harvested. Season Red Snapper with lots of flavor. Lemon, butter, fresh herbs are all great. Also, consider trying some hot chili peppers. If you want something mild try some fresh Anaheim chilies or go all the way with a chopped up habanero. Also good are tropical fruits. Remember Red Snapper comes from warm climates where people like flavorful foods. Red Snapper is a particular favorite in Mexico.

Blood Type Diet Food Value: red snapper SCIENTIFIC NAME: LUTJANUS CAMPECHANUS General Description: There are about 250 species of this saltwater fish, 15 of which can be found in United States waters from the Gulf of Mexico to the coastal waters of North Carolina. Some of the better-known species include the gray snapper, mutton snapper, schoolmaster snapper and yellowtail snapper. By far the best known and most popular, however, is the red snapper, so named because of its reddish-pink skin and red eyes. Its flesh is firm textured and contains very little fat. Red snapper grows to 35 pounds but is most commonly marketed in the 2- to 8-pound range. The smaller sizes are often sold whole, while larger snappers can be purchased in steaks and fillets. Snapper is available fresh all year with the peak season in the summer months. It's suitable for virtually any cooking method. Though some varieties of ROCKFISH are marketed under the names "Pacific snapper" and "red snapper," and a variety of TILEFISH is called "yellow snapper," none of these are true snapper.

BLOOD TYPE DIET VALUES Snappers: Lean Fish with firm texture, white meat with mild flavor. SNAPPER There are 17 types of snappers harvested from the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and South Atlantic waters. Two of the most commonly harvested snappers found in seafood markets and restaurants are red snapper and yellowtail snapper. RED SNAPPER Red Snapper is one of the best known and Florida waters yield the finest red snapper in the nation. With a fine textured, mild white meat, Florida red snapper is perfect for almost any finfish recipe and will delight your gastronomic senses. Whether baked, broiled, grilled or fried, this mild-flavored fish always delivers a gratifying culinary experience and is also a very healthy food source. Four ounces of uncooked red snapper contain just 110 calories, merely one gram of fat, only 45 grams of cholesterol and no saturated fat. Red snapper is equal in protein to shrimp (23 grams) and also contains calcium and iron. Vibrant red snapper are hard to miss when they are being unloaded onto docks from fishing fleets. Their rosy-red hue is another attribute to the many bright and colorful fish in the Gulf of Mexico.

Not only pretty to look at, red snapper are very tasty and highly popular among seafood fans. It is one of the best known and most desired deep sea delicacies. A prized food fish, red snapper are caught commercially as well as recreationally. Red snapper are in season the first 10 days of every month. A reef fish that commonly inhabits waters from 30 to 200 feet, red snapper can also be caught as deep as 300 feet on occasion. They keep relatively close to the bottom, and inhabit rocky ledges, ridges, and artificial reefs, including offshore and shipwrecks. Red snapper is a firm-textured fish with moist, white flesh that is delicate and mild. It can be served broiled, baked, steamed, poached, fried or grilled. Red snapper responds well to most cooking methods. Try baking whole red snapper stuffed with fresh herbs and seasonings. Red snapper is excellent for grilling, and spring is the perfect time to fire up the barbecue. Lemon, butter and fresh chili peppers are great ways to season red snapper. Another idea is to serve red snapper with tropical fruits for a delicious springtime treat.

When purchasing whole red snapper, look for a shiny surface with tightly adhering scales and gills that are deep red or pink. Also watch for a clean, shiny belly cavity with no cuts and a mild aroma, similar to the ocean. Fresh steaks, fillets and loins should have a translucent look and flesh that is firm and not separating. There should be no discoloration and proper packaging that keeps the fish from being bent in an unnatural position. See also: Snapper Recipes YELLOWTAIL SNAPPER Yellowtail Snapper’s name is descriptive in itself but the scientific name of the yellowtail snapper roughly translates to "swift-swimming golden fish." Characterized by a prominent lateral yellow stripe running from snout to tail, this snapper is considered by culinary experts to be one of the tastiest fish harvested fresh from Florida waters. This delicate, nutritious fish can be compared in texture and flavor to its cousin, the Florida red snapper and can be seasoned and cooked in a variety of ways. RED SNAPPER ATTRIBUTES Firm texture, white meat with mild flavor. Lean fish. PREPARATION • Keep raw and cooked seafood separate to prevent bacterial cross-contamination.

• After handling raw seafood thoroughly wash knives, cutting surfaces, sponges and your hands with hot soapy water. • Always marinate seafood in the refrigerator. • Discard marinade; it contains raw juices which may harbor bacteria. When marinade is needed for basting reserve a portion before adding raw seafood. COOKING • The general rule is 10 minutes per inch of thickness, at the thickest part of the fillet or steak, at 400-450 degrees F. • If fish is cooked in parchment, foil or a sauce, add 5 minutes to the total cooking time. • Fillets less than 1/2 inch thick do not need to be turned during cooking. • Fish cooks quickly. Do not overcook. • Fish is done when the flesh becomes opaque and flakes easily when tested with a fork. • Poaching, steaming, baking, broiling, sautéing, microwaving are excellent low-fat cooking methods, if you do not add high fat ingredients. • Marinate in your favorite salad dressing prior to cooking. • Broil, bake, steam or microwave, then cube and add to pasta or salad greens for a delicious salad.

• Broil or grill with lime-butter and seasoned salt. • Oil the grill to prevent fish from sticking. • Bake whole fish with a crab or shrimp stuffing. • Add leftover fish in broken pieces to salads, soups or sauces. Nutritional values for approximately 4 ounces (114 grams) of raw, edible portions • Calories 110 Red Snapper Overview :: Southeast Regional Office Historical Overview (1800s-present): How has the red snapper fishery changed over time? Red snapper have been harvested from the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) since at least the 1840s(1). The fishery began in the northeastern Gulf, centered around Pensacola, Florida(1)(2). During the early development of the fishery, harvest was limited to vessels known as “smacks”(3) that fished close to port. When ice and trains became readily available to store and transport red snapper, vessels began to make longer voyages and landings increased(2). Fishery scientists and fishermen first observed localized depletion of red snapper off Florida in the late 19th century(1)(4).

Early catches were dominated by large fish, often averaging 10 pounds or more; but, as depletion occurred, the availability of fish near shore declined and vessels extended their trips farther from port to catch fish(1). Beginning in the late 1800s, vessels began harvesting red snapper from Campeche Bank off Mexico(5) and by the early 1900s U.S. commercial landings exceeded 7 million pounds, although few were from the Western Gulf(6). It was not until the 1930s and 1940s that fishing activity increased in the Western Gulf as rock ridges and snapper banks were discovered(7). Commercial landings fluctuated between 2 and 5 million pounds up until the 1950s as vessels shifted effort from U.S. waters to Campeche Bank in the early 1900s(6). After World War II there was a large increase in the size of the commercial fleet(7) and technological innovations, such as fathometers, reels, and wire fishing line opened up new fishing grounds(8) resulting in a large increase in landings in the western Gulf(6).

During this period, the shrimp fishery also rapidly expanded. Markets increased for pink and brown shrimp as new fishing grounds were discovered and vessels began using double-rig trawls, which greatly increased the amount of shrimp that could be caught per unit of effort(9). The number of days spent shrimping more than doubled between the 1960s and 1990s. Because juvenile red snapper (age 0-1) are accidentally captured in shrimp trawls, the shrimp trawl fishery became a significant source of red snapper mortality. Prior to World War II, recreational fishing in the Gulf was fairly limited. But after the war, increased tourism along the Gulf coast coupled with the mass production of fiberglass boats and improvements in motor technology and navigational equipment led to increases in recreational fishing(11). This increased demand for recreational fishing opportunities spawned a large party boat fishery that primarily targeted red snapper(12). Annual recreational landings quickly grew from less than 500,000 pounds prior to 1950 to over 5 million pounds by the late 1990s(13).

Today, recreational anglers account for more than half of the total Gulf red snapper landings and discard large amounts of red snapper at sea due to restrictions on harvest and retention. Status of Red Snapper (1988-2005): How has the health of the red snapper population changed over time? Fishery managers are required by law to prevent overfishing and rebuild depleted fish populations. Overfishing refers to the rate at which fish are removed from a population. Scientists conduct stock assessments to determine the status of fish populations and how many fish can safely be removed from populations without causing them to decline over the long term. If overfishing occurs, eventually too many fish will be removed from a population and it will become depleted or overfished (population abundance is too low), resulting in smaller catches. Fishery scientists and managers define rates of fishing mortality (rate that fish are removed from a population by fishing) to allow a fish population to produce the maximum amount of harvest over time or to rebuild a fish population if it has become depleted. Fishery scientists and managers also define various targets and thresholds for population abundance.

For example, they define the minimum abundance level necessary to prevent the population from declining over the long term and the abundance level that would allow the population to produce the maximum harvest over the long term. The latter is used as the “rebuilding target” when populations become depleted or overfished. In the case of Gulf red snapper, the rebuilding target is based on spawning potential. Spawning potential refers to the number of eggs a fish produces over its lifetime in a fished population compared to the number of eggs produced by a fish in an unfished population. The target spawning potential for Gulf red snapper is 26%, which means fishery regulations are designed to increase the population to a level where it is producing about one quarter of the eggs that would be produced by an unfished population. NOAA Fisheries has conducted ten assessments of Gulf red snapper since the late 1980s(2). The first assessment was conducted in 1988 and concluded red snapper was overfished and undergoing overfishing(14).

Six additional assessments were conducted in the 1990s and another in 2005; all reached the same conclusions - too many fish were being killed by directed fisheries and shrimp trawlers(2). The most recent assessment was completed in September 2015 ( ) and determined the stock was no longer undergoing overfishing. The red snapper population was rapidly depleted from 1950 through the late 1980s as commercial and recreational landings and shrimp effort increased(13)(16). The population reached its lowest level in 1990, when spawning potential declined to just 2.0%—well below the level necessary to sustain the red snapper population(16). By 2013, spawning potential was about 24%, over halfway to the rebuilding target(24). Rebuilding Red Snapper: What have fishery managers and fishermen done to rebuild red snapper? In the late 1980s, NOAA Fisheries and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council) began implementing various regulations to reduce fishing mortality and rebuild the red snapper population(2).

In addition to limiting the total number of fish that could be harvested annually, commercial and recreational fishermen were restricted by limiting the number of licenses issued (commercial and for-hire only), limiting the number of fish they could retain on a given fishing trip, restricting the size of fish they could retain and the type of gear they could use, and limiting when they could fish. Shrimp fishermen were required to install devices in their trawl nets to reduce bycatch of juvenile red snapper. These measures led to small, gradual improvements in the status of red snapper over a 15-year time period (1989-2004), but were not sufficient to end overfishing and make sufficient progress in rebuilding the population(13)(15). By 2005, red snapper spawning biomass had increased to only 4.7%, well below the target level of 26%(16). In 2005, managers began developing a new plan to rebuild red snapper(15). At that time, regulations were designed to end overfishing of red snapper by 2009 or 2010.

The recreational and commercial catch limits were lowered by 45% from 9.12 million pounds in 2006 to 5.0 million pounds by 2008. The recreational bag limit was reduced from four to two fish to slow the rate of harvest, and an individual fishing quota program ( # ) was implemented for the commercial sector. The rebuilding plan also established a shrimp trawl fishing effort threshold to minimize the amount of red snapper caught in shrimp trawls between depths of 60-180 feet in the Western Gulf(15). That threshold was designed to constrain effort to levels 67-74% less than observed during 2001-2003. Shrimp fishing effort has remained below that threshold since 2007. By reducing shrimp effort at these depths, the number of juvenile red snapper caught and killed in shrimp trawls is reduced, thereby aiding rebuilding. If shrimp effort increases in the future, then rebuilding measures require fishery managers to close some areas in the Western Gulf to shrimp trawling to limit effort in areas of high juvenile red snapper abundance.

In 2009, scientists updated the 2005 red snapper assessment to evaluate if new management measures implemented to rebuild red snapper were working. That update assessment indicated red snapper abundance was increasing and less fish were being removed due to fishing(16). In 2013, a new benchmark stock assessment was completed(24). The assessment indicated overfishing was not occurring, the stock was rebuilding but remained overfished, and catch levels could be increased. The update of this assessment in 2015 indicated that spawning biomass tripled from 2005 to 2013. Why Rebuild Red Snapper Before managers reduced catch limits in 2007 to allow for rebuilding, the combined commercial and recreational catch limit for red snapper was 9.12 million pounds, and the recreational red snapper season lasted for more than six months. But at that level, catch rates remained too high, which resulted in a depleted population. The rebuilding plan was designed to end overfishing of red snapper and ensure long-term harvest opportunities. Currently, the red snapper population contains a disproportionate number of younger fish(16).

A healthy population requires an appropriate mix of fish of different ages. Red snapper is a species with a long life span – they can reach over fifty years of age – and older red snapper females are the biggest egg producers(16). Since managers reduced catch limits nine years ago, none of the resulting young fish have yet reached their peak productive years. Continued restrictions are designed not only to increase abundance, but to also allow red snapper to reach older ages and larger sizes. Currently, most fish landed in the Gulf are less than 10 years of age. As the stock rebuilds, the number of fish older than 10 years will greatly increase. A 5-year old red snapper produces about eight times as many eggs during a fishing season as a 3-year old red snapper and a 10-year old red snapper produces 33 times as many eggs as a 3-year old red snapper(18). The same is true if you consider the size of fish.

A 20-inch red snapper produces three times as many eggs as a 16-inch red snapper, and a 32-inch red snapper produces 24 times as many eggs as a 16-inch red snapper(18). Managers reduced the total catch limits for the commercial and recreational sectors combined to 5 million pounds in 2008 and 2009 but, since then, the limits have risen steadily as the stock rebuilds. For 2016, the total catch limits for the commercial and recreational sectors combined was 14 million pounds. But the Recreational Fishing Season is Shorter? Although a growing red snapper population is good news for many people, it has unexpectedly – and somewhat counterintuitively – reduced fishing opportunities for the charter boat industry and private anglers. That’s because the recreational fishing season has gotten progressively shorter even as the red snapper population grows. Overall, for each day of the season, recreational fishermen landed six times as many pounds of red snapper in 2013 as they did before the population began to recover(20). So while the fish population is growing rapidly, the rate of catch is growing more rapidly.

Even though managers have been able to raise the catch limit each year since 2010, they have had to progressively shorten the recreational season to stay within the increasing catch limits. Even with short seasons, the recreational sector exceeded its quota every year from 2007 to 2013, except for 2010 during the Deepwater Horizon MC252 oil spill. Then, in 2014, a Federal District Court found that NOAA Fisheries failed to require adequate accountability to prohibit the retention of fish after the recreational quota had been harvested and address any overages. To address the Court decision, managers established a red snapper recreational annual catch target (ACT) to help maintain landings within the recreational quota. NOAA Fisheries started projecting the federal red snapper recreational season based on the ACT, which is set at 80% of the quota. In addition, a new accountability measure requires that, if the recreational quota is exceeded, the overage would be subtracted from the following year’s quota and ACT. With implementation of the ACT, recreational landings did not exceed the quota in 2014 or 2015.

However, adjusting the season to the ACT reduced the red snapper recreational season even more. In response, several Gulf states opened state waters to recreational red snapper harvest for extended periods when federal waters were closed. Catches from these extended state seasons must be counted against the recreational sector’s quota, which further reduces the federal season length. These state water seasons provide a benefit to private anglers, but federally permitted for-hire vessels are prohibited from fishing in open state waters if federal waters are closed. In an attempt to alleviate the problem for federally permitted for-hire vessels, separate components of the recreational sector were established in 2015, each with their own sub-quotas and sub-ACTs. The red snapper federal for-hire and private angler recreational fishing seasons open each year on June 1 and close when their respective ACTs are projected to be reached. NOAA Fisheries anticipates separate quotas will improve management of the overall recreational sector and decrease the likelihood of future recreational quota overruns that may jeopardize red snapper stock rebuilding. Distinct recreational components changed the way NOAA Fisheries calculates the season length for each component. State-water landings outside the federal red snapper recreational fishing season can be assigned to the private angler component.

Also, the average weight of red snapper harvested, which is different for the two components, can be calculated separately. For 2015, the private angler component had a 10-day federal water season, and the federally permitted for-hire component had a 44-day federal water season. For 2016, the private angler component had a 9-day federal water season, which was extended two days because of a tropical storm, and the federally permitted for-hire component had a 46-day season. How Do We Improve the Situation? Other Options for the Future So, how do we improve the situation for federally permitted for-hire vessels and private anglers? Several short and long-term options are currently being considered by the Gulf Council. Increasing the recreational catch limit will provide the most immediate benefit to the recreational sector, allowing for more days of fishing. The recreational catch limit is greater now than ever before. Part of the quota increase for 2016 stems from the Gulf Council making a change to allowable catch allocations between the commercial and recreational sectors.

Historically, allowable catch limits have been allocated 51% to the commercial sector and 49% to the recreational sector, based on landings data for each sector during 1979-1987(22). The new allocations are 48.5% for the commercial sector and 51.5% for the recreational sector. This shift in allocation is based on the increase in the total allowable harvest resulting from the calibration of historical recreational catch estimates. After the recreational sector was split into the two components, members of the for-hire component requested that the Gulf Council consider various catch shared-based management strategies for headboats and charter boats. This concept is designed to increase accuracy of catch and effort reporting, and improve accountability for the two for-hire fleets. The Gulf Council previously developed a regional management strategy, which would allocate the recreational catch limit among the states, then authorize each state to set their own bag limits, size limits, and determine when fishing could occur. However, agreement on state by state allocations of the red snapper quota was not reached, resulting in the Gulf Council postponing action on this concept.

In June 2016, the Gulf Council re-initiated discussions of this concept for the private angler component, as well as other possible management measures, including alternative or split recreational seasons, changes in the bag limit, transfer of unharvested quota to the following year, and a fish tag program. Other options considered by the Gulf Council have included: a days-at-sea program for the for-hire sector, inter-sector trading, sector separation, a fish tag program, and a for-hire individual fishing quota (IFQ) program. Days-at-sea or IFQ programs would allow those participating in the program a certain number of days to fish per year or a certain number of fish to catch per year. NOAA Fisheries recently approved a two-year pilot study by a limited group of headboats to examine the feasibility of an allocation-based management program, where boats will be issued a certain quantity of red snapper and gag, based on their historical catches of these species. Along the same lines, the Gulf Council is still considering an option to establish separate recreational sub-quotas, with a certain quantity of fish for the private fishermen and a separate quantity for the for-hire sector.

Similarly, inter-sector trading would allow charter boat permit holders and potentially private anglers to trade quota with commercial red snapper fishermen to increase the amount of fish available to the recreational sector. Finally, a tag program might be like those used for hunting and would limit the amount of fish harvested while providing recreational fishermen greater flexibility in when fish could be caught. What is Next? Constituents are encouraged to provide input to the Gulf Council and NOAA Fisheries on issues related to red snapper recreational fishing opportunities. Now is the time for fishermen, scientists, and managers to work together to develop creative solutions that keep the recovery of Gulf red snapper on track while providing increased opportunities for recreational anglers to catch red snapper now and for years to come. Ocean Conservancy: Red Snapper Tweet Red snapper - A fisherman adds a red snapper to the pile on a dock in Destin, Florida. Photo: Tom McCann / Ocean Conservancy The Gulf of Mexico is a beautiful and bountiful place where the culture and the economy as well as wildlife depend on the health of the ecosystem.

Ocean Conservancy is working to fully restore health and prosperity to the Gulf, which has suffered from decades of environmental degradation and unsustainable fishing practices as well as the largest unintentional marine oil spill in history. Our scientists are monitoring indicator species—animals and plants that serve as a measure of how the environment around them is doing—to help inform ongoing restoration efforts . Red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) are one of the Gulf of Mexico’s signature fish; they are extremely popular among recreational fishermen and a prized offering at restaurants and seafood markets. These beautifully hued creatures, which also live along the Atlantic coast of the Americas, can grow to about 40 inches, weigh up to 50 pounds and live more than 50 years. They begin to reproduce when they are about two years old, spawning from May to October along rocky ledges or coral reefs. Fertilized eggs float on the surface and hatch within a day. Only a month later, the young fish begin to migrate to shallow waters. Economically, red snapper are among the most valuable fish in the Gulf .

In 2011, commercial fishermen from the five Gulf states landed more than 3.2 million pounds of red snapper, sold dockside for $11.5 million. Sport fishermen love to pursue them as well. In 2011, 3.1 million recreational anglers took more than 22 million fishing trips in the Gulf of Mexico targeting red snapper and other species. These fishing trips are a boon to the local economy. Threats and Solutions Red snapper have been severely overfished in the Gulf , meaning that more fish have been caught than the remaining population can replace. As with other long-lived species, overfishing heavily impacts reproduction. Most red snapper caught in the Gulf today are between three and six years old, which means they miss out on decades of reproductive opportunity. Bigger, older red snappers produce many more eggs than young ones. For almost 20 years, Ocean Conservancy’s Fish Conservation team has worked in pursuit of a sustainable red snapper fishery alongside fishermen and government agencies. Red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico are now starting to recover.

If implemented properly, the science-based management plan now in place will allow the population to continue to rebuild, but it will take time . Management agencies hope to restore the population to sustainable levels by 2032. The BP Deepwater Horizon oil disaster occurred during snapper spawning season. The surface oil from the disaster may have hampered red snapper egg and larva survival, which could limit the success of the rebuilding plan. Challenges from the disaster could affect snapper populations for years to come. In the northern Gulf of Mexico, scientists and fishermen have found reef fish, including red snapper, with lesions, fin rot and abnormal internal organs stemming from bacterial infections and parasites at higher frequencies than in other areas of the Gulf. Scientists are trying to determine the extent, severity and cause of this problem as they monitor the impacts of the disaster on red snapper and their habitat, and work to restore the Gulf . Red snapper need our help to remain productive and healthy. Join us in our work to protect them. Restore America’s Fisheries Snappers, Fish Species - Your Fish Identification and Fishing Field Guide Back To The Fish Species Directory Index Fish Species brought to you in association with Wickstrom Publishers Inc.

Excerpts from the book Sport Fish of Florida a must for every tackle box and boat in and around Florida waters!!! Get your copy now!! Other great titles include Baits, Rigs & Tackle! TheOutdoorLodge.Com is happy to partner with the leading fishing forum online, BigFishTackle.Com. To find out answers to all your "snapper fishing" questions please drop by the fishing forums at bigfishtackle.com ( With over 100,000 members their fishing forum can answer just about any fishing question you may have. Friendly, helpful and informative anglers really make you feel like part of their online fishing community! OTHER NAMES: Mangrove Snapper, Black Snapper, Mango, Caballerote RANGE: All Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean. HABITAT: Juveniles are seasonally present in nearly all shallow waters and coastal estuaries of Florida, and are plentiful throughout the year in the southern half of Florida, the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

Upon reaching a size of 10 or 12 inches, nearly all Gray Snapper switch their homes to deeper waters and are fished mostly over coral reefs, artificial reefs, wrecks and Gulf ledges, although big ones can also be caught in deep channels and passes along the coast. In the Panhandle, the bigger fish of deep water are called Black Snapper. DESCRIPTION: Gray or greenish above and light on the underside, usually with an overall reddish hue that can range from coppery to bright brick red. Obvious black line runs from the snout through the eye to just below the dorsal fin. This line darkens when the fish feeds or gets excited. SIZE: Few surpass 1 foot inshore, but Grays can average 2-6 pounds in deep water, and reach perhaps 20 pounds or more. World and Florida records 17 pounds. FOOD VALUE: Excellent up to a pound or so. Large ones are stronger in taste but still very good. GAME QUALITIES: The little fellows can be easy to catch on dead shrimp or cut bait, but as they grow they become more difficult to fool. It's generally necessary to trim down the size of hooks, leaders and terminal tackle.

When hooked, Gray Snappers make strong runs, then wage a bulldogging battle all the way to boatside. TACKLE AND BAITS: Inshore spinning and light baitcasting rigs are best and should be baited with live shrimp, live minnows, fiddler crabs, cut shrimp, cut squid or cut baitfish. Many inshore Grays are also caught on lures, along mangrove shorelines or around snags. Surface plugs and popping flies often catch Grays, as do jigs and small shrimp flies or streamers. Offshore, heavier spinning and baitcasting tackle, and light ocean tackle, are called for. Best baits are live small fish, such as Pilchards and Sardines, live shrimp, cut squid, cut crab and cut fish. FISHING SYSTEMS: Casting; Drifting; Still Fishing. (Lutjanus analis) OTHER NAMES: Muttonfish, Reef King, Pargo RANGE: The Mutton Snapper more or less takes over for the Red Snapper in South Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean.

On the Atlantic Coast of Florida, Muttons are common on the reefs as for north as, roughly, Fort Pierce, but gradually give way to Red Snapper after that. In the Gulf, few Muttons are caught north of the Keys, although they turn up now and then in the bags of offshore bottom fishermen all along the Gulf Coast. HABITAT: Juveniles inhabit inshore grass beds, coral patches and channels. Adults are primarily inhabitants of the deeper reefs, although many are found in near shore deep channels and passes of South Florida, the Keys and the Bahamas. Big Muttons even sneak up on certain "tailing flats" occasionally, to forage in the manner of Bonefish and Permit. DESCRIPTION: Coloration varies widely with size and habitat. Juveniles in shallow water are very bright, with an overall rosy appearance and mostly red fins. Adults are greenish above and red on the lower sides and underside. All sizes show blue lines in the gill cover and along the back, with a single black spot near the dorsal fin about three-quarters of the way to the fin. Vague vertical bars may be present. Anal fin is pointed. SIZE: Inshore average is 1-2 pounds.

On reefs and in deeper water, the average is 5 pounds or more, with individuals up to 15 pounds not uncommon. Maximum is probably around 35 pounds. World record 28 pounds, 5 ounce; Florida record 27 pounds, 6 ounces. FOOD VALUE: Excellent. GAME QUALITIES: Muttons are strong fighters in deep water, and can be dazzling ones in shallow water or atop the tailing flats, getting off long runs and then resisting with strength and broad sides. TACKLE AND BAITS: For reef fishing, light ocean tackle is ideal and the best baits are live Pinfish, live Pilchards, live or cut Ballyhoo, big live shrimp and fresh cut baitfish. Light spinning or baitcasting tackle is an excellent choice inshore, when tossing jigs and plugs in channels or over grass beds and rocks. In shallow water, Muttons smash surface plugs readily. When encountered on sight-fishing flats, the same tackle is used as for Permit or Bonefish. Live crabs make the best bait here, with live shrimp also acceptable. Permit jigs and flies will also do the job, if presented well.

FISHING SYSTEMS: Casting; Drifting; Still Fishing. OTHER NAMES: Spot Snapper, Cady Snapper, Biajaiba RANGE: Found off all coasts of Florida. HABITAT: Most are caught in fairly deep reef and offshore waters, but in the southern half of the state, they also inhabit near shore areas, and even bays. During times of warm water, they may come close to shore in the northern sectors as well. Prefers broken or grassy bottom to hard reefs. DESCRIPTION: Superficially similar to small Mutton Snapper, with which it may be confused. However, the Lane Snapper, in addition to its rosy hues, also has broken yellow bars along the sides, and its fins are mostly yellow. The single black spot on the side is larger, proportionately, than that of the Mutton. The anal fin is rounded. SIZE: Most run well under 1 pound. Occasionally caught to 5 pounds in deep water. World record 7 pounds; Florida record 6 pounds, 6 ounces. FOOD VALUE: Very good, but flesh is soft and must be kept well iced.

GAME QUALITIES: An aggressive striker of both natural and artificial baits, the Lane is fun to catch but is not a particularly strong fighter, even for its size. TACKLE AND BAITS: Only very light tackle provides much sport. Productive baits include live and dead shrimp and also strips of cut squid or cut fish. Small jigs worked slowly near bottom are deadly. FISHING SYSTEMS: Casting; Drifting; Still Fishing. OTHER NAMES: Cuban Snapper, Cuban Dog, Snapper RANGE: South Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean. HABITAT: Through most of the tropics, the Cubera is at home anywhere from coastal creeks out to the deep reefs, but in Florida it is now rare to find them inshore, although one may still pop up from time to time in a creek or canal of South Florida and the Keys. Creeks of the larger Bahamas Out Islands also harbor a few of them. Most are caught around wrecks and reef dropoffs in 100-200 feet of water off Dade County and Key Largo, but they may surprise anglers at times in offshore waters anywhere from the Dry Tortugas to about halfway up the Florida Peninsula.

DESCRIPTION: The Cubera looks like a gigantic Gray Snapper and, in fact, oversize Grays�those longer than a couple feet�are almost always confused with sallish Cuberas. To really tell the difference you have to check the patch of vomerine teeth on the inside roof of the mouth. In the Gray, this patch is shaped something like an arrow, complete with shaft. That of the Cubera is of similar shape but has no shaft; it looks like an inverted "V". SIZE: The giant among Snappers, Cuberas often reach or exceed 100 pounds, and the average is 30-50 pounds. World record 121 pounds, 8 ounces; Florida record 116 pounds. FOOD VALUE: Excellent to about 40 pounds. Larger ones tend to coarseness, and carry the possibility of causing Ciguatera poisoning (see Introduction). GAME QUALITIES: A real brawler that uses its size, strength and every obstacle in the vicinity to great advantage.

TACKLE AND BAITS: Realistically, ocean gear with lines testing upward of 50 pounds should be used for Cubera fishing, even though quite a few big ones have been caught on lighter lines and occasionally even on heavy spinning and plug tackle by deep-jigging anglers. Most Cuberas caught by design are taken at night off North Key Largo and South Dade during the summer months. By far the best bait is a whole live lobster. Whole live blue crabs make a fair substitute, as do live Blue Runner and similar baitfish. Cuberas are perfectly willing to take dead baits too, but usually get beaten to them by smaller fish. FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing. OTHER NAMES: Yellow Snapper, Jocu RANGE: Most of Florida plus Bahamas and Caribbean. HABITAT: Adults mostly prowl the coral reefs of South Florida, the Keys and Bahamas. Elsewhere, it is occasionally caught offshore. Juveniles live in shallow rocky areas of tropical shoals and shorelines. DESCRIPTION: The name comes, of course, from the canine teeth, which seem even more prominent than in most other large Snappers.

Overall coloration is light orange or yellowish, darker on the back and lighter on the sides. The tail and dorsal fin are deep yellow or orange, while the other fins are lighter yellow. There is a broken blue streak on gill cover below the eye and a white, V-shaped patch on the gill cover, under the blue markings. SIZE: Although most catches run only a couple of pounds, the Dog Snapper is not uncommon at 10 or 15 pounds and can reach 30 or more. World record 24 pounds. FOOD VALUE: Excellent in all sizes. GAME QUALITIES: A strong fighter. TACKLE AND BAITS: Offshore, Dog Snappers are less common than Gray Snappers but are taken on the same tackle and baits usually light to medium ocean-fishing outfits with lines to 30-pound test. Best baits are live baitfish and cut Ballyhoo or squid. FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing. OTHER NAMES: Barred Snapper, Caji RANGE: All Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean. HABITAT: Juveniles are plentiful in shallow coastal waters, as they grow, they work into deeper and deeper water.

Dense schools are often encountered by divers over shallow wrecks and certain coral patches�making the name derivation obvious. Biggest Schoolmasters stick to reefs and dropoffs in deep water. DESCRIPTION: Deep-bodied and overall yellowish, with several prominent vertical white bars on the sides. In the largest specimens, these bars may be nearly invisible, and so lead to confusion with the Dog Snapper. Another similarity is that both have a blue line, usually broken, on the gill cover. The Schoolmaster, however, does not have the white cone-shaped patch on the gill that identifies the Dog Snapper. Since most Schoolmasters are rather small and vividly striped, their identity is pretty obvious. SIZE: Averages a pound or less in shallow water. Big individuals on the deep reefs may reach 6 or 7 pounds. World record 4 pounds, 5 ounces. FOOD VALUE: Excellent. GAME QUALITIES: Equivalent to other Snappers of similar size. TACKLE AND BAITS: Light spinning and baitcasting outfits. Live or dead shrimp, squid and small fish are all acceptable baits. Schoolmasters will take small jigs on occasion but are seldom enthusiastic about them. FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing.

(Ocyurus chrysurus) OTHER NAMES: Flag, Tail, Rabirubia RANGE: Yellowtail are common only in South Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean, although add catches are made in other areas of the state, especially offshore Gulf reefs. HABITAT: Small fish grow up around shallow coastal reefs and patches. Best fishing depths in most areas are 60 to about 120 feet, with nearly all the "Flags" coming from the deepest habitat. Yellowtail school heavily and hang around dropoffs or humps. DESCRIPTION: Identified by a yellow stripe that runs the full length of the body from forward of the eye to the deeply forked yellow tail. The stripe is vivid in young fish, but pales with maturity. Color above the line is bluish with yellow patches; silvery white below. No prominent teeth as in most other Snappers. SIZE: From less than a foot in coastal shallows to an average of 1-3 pounds on deep reefs. "Flags" running as heavy as 4 or 5 pounds are common, and a few run to 7 or 8 pounds. World record 8 pounds, 9 ounces; Florida record 8 pounds, 8 ounces.

FOOD VALUE: Excellent if fresh or well-iced. GAME QUALITIES: Pound-for-pound, among the best of reef fishes. Because most are hooked high in the water column, they usually make long, strong runs. Yellowtail are masters at cutting lines on the edge of a dropoff, or fouling them on high reef growth. TACKLE AND BAITS: Undersize fish in the shallows will greedily hit nearly any bait or lure. Yellowtails of decent size, however, are almost always caught in outside reef areas. They are among the wariest of biters, generally requiring lighter lines, leaders, hooks and sinkers than the angler would really like to use. Regulars mostly try to get by with spinning tackle and 15-pound line, but on many days must go to 12-pound lines or smaller, to produce or sustain any action. Small dead baits cut fish, cut squid and pieces of shrimp catch the most Yellowtails because those baits are similar in size and buoyancy to the ground chum that is used to lure them close and turn on their appetites.

In many areas of the Bahamas and Caribbean, Yellowtail are caught by trolling a variety of lures, or by casting with small jigs, and even flies. Best luck anywhere is likely to come at night. FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing; Trolling. OTHER NAMES: Beeliner, Mingo, Cajon RANGE: All Florida coasts; more common northward. HABITAT: Prefers the same depths as the Red Snapper, with which it often mixes. A common panfish around offshore deep wrecks, reefs and ledges of the upper Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Like the Red Snapper, it is more of a temperate than a tropical fish, and is unfamiliar to most anglers in the southern reaches of the state. DESCRIPTION: Rosy red above, fading to pinkish then whitish below. Red fins. Large eye. Similar to the Red Snapper in color but easily distinguished in addition to much smaller average size by the lack of prominent "snapper teeth", and by its rounded anal fin. SIZE: Averages less than a pound. May rarely reach 5 pounds or slightly larger. World record 7 pounds, 3 ounces. FOOD VALUE: An excellent panfish.

GAME QUALITIES: Poor. Most are caught on too-heavy tackle at considerable depth not a sporting combination for a small fish. TACKLE AND BAITS: Since the Vermillion is caught in greatest quantity by partyboat fishermen, the usual tackle consists of rods and reels stout enough to handle the hoped-for Snapper and Grouper. Even if the fisherman specifically targets Vermillions, he generally has to use the same tackle and heavy sinkers, switching only to smaller hooks. When conditions are favorable enough to permit getting down with weights of an ounce or so, spinning and baitcasting tackle are more productive and certainly more fun. Beeliners usually bite greedily at any sort of small dead bait, including cut fish, squid and shrimp. FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing. OTHER NAMES: Ojonco RANGE: South Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean. HABITAT: Tropical reefs, although not common anywhere. Occasionally caught in the Keys, but more are seen in the Bahamas. DESCRIPTION: Brightly colored, but with little of the reds and pinks that characterize most tropical Snappers. Back and upper sides are tan to deep brown. The underside is silvery. Dark spot on lateral line below posterior dorsal fin.

Eye large. SIZE: To perhaps 3 pounds. FOOD VALUE: Excellent. GAME QUALITIES: Good as other small Snappers. TACKLE AND BAITS: Spinning, baitcasting and light ocean outfits with small hooks and sinkers and cut bait. This is an odd catch that crops up now and then among mixed bags of small reef fish. FISHING SYSTEMS: Still Fishing. OTHER NAMES: Blackspot, Snapper, Bahamas Red, Snapper RANGE: South Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean. HABITAT: Nearly all are caught along outside dropoffs at depths of 200 feet or greater. Most are caught in the Bahamas. DESCRIPTION: Vivid red overall, with black crescent-shaped mark at base of the pectoral fin. SIZE: Averages 3 or 4 pounds; usual maximum is 10 or so. World record 7 pounds, 3 ounces. FOOD VALUE: Excellent. GAME QUALITIES: Strong fighter like other Snappers. TACKLE AND BAITS: Blackfin Snapper generally stay well beyond the depths of anchoring. Most are caught while drifting and jigging off cliffs and ledges. Blackfin eagerly strike a heavy bucktail or nylon jig.

FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting. OTHER NAMES: Yelloweye RANGE: All Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean. HABITAT: These are deep-ocean Snappers that are seldom caught any shallower than 300 or 400 feet, and are common at 100 fathoms and deeper. DESCRIPTION: The Silk Snapper is pink overall and is shaped much like the Red Snapper, although the yellow eye distinguishes it. The pectorals are pale yellow and the back portion of the caudal fin has a black edge. SIZE: Averages 3 to 5 pounds. Maximum sizes uncertain. World record 18 pounds, 5 ounces. FOOD VALUE: Excellent; probably the best of all the Snappers. In general, however, it can be observed that all the edible species of fish hauled up from great depths make exceptionally fine table fare. GAME QUALITIES: No battle can be expected, thanks to the great depth and the non-sporting gear required. TACKLE AND BAITS: Anglers are unlikely to encounter this fish unless they fish very deep with several pounds of lead, stout rods and electric reels for meat or curiosity, rather than sport.

Commercial fishermen pull them up with motorized winches. Any sort of cut bait can be used. FISHING SYSTEMS: Specialized deep systems only. RANGE: All Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean. HABITAT: This is another deep-ocean Snapper that is seldom caught any shallower than 300 or 400 feet, and is probably most common at 600 feet and deeper. DESCRIPTION: The Queen Snapper is bright red on its upper and lower sides, and shaped more like the Yellowtail. It has silvery sides and a deeply forked red tail that continues to lengthen as the fish grows. The eye is very large and yellow. SIZE: Averages 3 to 5 pounds. Maximum sizes uncertain. World record 11 pounds, 11 ounces. FOOD VALUE: Excellent; probably one of the best of all the Snappers, although the same can be said of other Snappers that come from the deepest habitats. GAME QUALITIES: No battle can be expected, thanks to the great depth and the non-sporting gear required.

TACKLE AND BAITS: As with other deepwater Snappers, the Queen isn't seen by anglers unless they're using lots of lead and hefty gear. Any type of cut bait can be used. FISHING SYSTEMS: Specialized deep systems only. Tips For Catching Red Snapper - Wide Open Spaces Tips For Catching Red Snapper Posted by Jeremy Berres-Paul October 10, 2013 Hello, Gulf Coast! Red snapper season has just kicked off, and while short this year (only 14 days?!), we hope you can still land some killer catches. Check out some of our helpful tips for catching red snapper: Know where to go The rule of thumb for tracking red snapper is this: the older they are, the deeper they’ll go. Juvenile red snapper tend to inhabit the more shallow water over sandy or muddy bottoms, while the bigger or adult fish tend to swim at a depth of 100-500 ft. You can also usually find red snapper along coral reefs, drop-offs, ledges and wrecks.

Use heavy rods and strong line To handle the heavy sinkers, go for tackle and lines in the 50-100 lb. class. Your rod will definitely need a strong backbone and butt, as well as a sensitive tip. For an added boost, consider attaching an alarm bell on the sensitive tip of the rod for an extra indicator for when fish bite. As far as line goes, we definitely recommend using braided because of it’s sensitivity, minimal stretch and improved water resistance. Know the right techniques Because red snapper are bottom-dwellers, jigging with metal jigs is a great method for attracting them. Consider luminous jigs that glow in the dark (we personally like Yo-Zuri and Bluefox). As far as increasing your productivity, fish from an anchored charter. Be sure to reel in the red snapper as fast as possible before it attempts to head back to the rocky bottom. Entice snapper with irresistible baits If you’re not in a heavily fished spot, pilchards, cut fish, dead cigar minnows and squid do well. As you head to more heavily fished spots, change your game up just a bit by using live small baitfish to lure in some decent-sized red snapper.

What are your tips for catching red snapper? Let us know and be sure to enjoy the season! Featured image via Gulf Shores you might also like

Question: A red snapper is a type of what?
Answer: Fish