Mangrove Snapper Slot Size
- Mangrove snapper can be found on jetty rocks and other inshore structure; targeting them can provide options on days when the seas will not allow small boats to venture offshore. Offshore structure that normally holds red snapper can also hold mangrove snapper at depths of 60-120 feet and they make a good target for smaller boats on calm fall.
- Mangrove snapper up in the water column are a entire different animal than when they are feeding on the bottom. Everything has to be perfect to catch these fish. Drop down to 20-50 lb test and learn by practicing how to apply perfect drag pressure with your hand because perfect preset drag does not exist for this style of fishing.
Red Snapper Minimum Size Limit. Large haul of Red Snapper brought in on one of the many deep sea fishing charters Destin, FL, has to offer. Minimum size limits are put into effect to assure that juvenile Snapper are able to grow and reproduce in the off-season. The minimum size limit on Red Snapper is 16 inches. Mangrove snapper action going really well offshore from around 100-180ft, but we are seeing more active smaller mangroves becoming more and more common. When its cooler we don’t have as many mangroves, but the average size is bigger.
August 15th is the Sturgeon Moon. I don’t think we will see any sturgeon in this part of the Atlantic but the big East Coast Mangroves will probably make a appearance. On a side note one of our Captains swears up and down he seen a sturgeon leap into the air a handful of months back so you just never know. Like I always say “There’s no fences”. We are coming off of Summer and will see a transition this is still the time of year, when the seas are calm, the water is clear and bait fish are abundant – the full moon can create a mangrove snapper feeding frenzy. With superior eye sight and ideal hunting conditions mangroves will venture all the way to the surface and spread out across the reef to feed on crabs, shrimp, squid, bait fish and anything else they can catch.
Mangrove fisherman have been perfecting their game for years and you will find the best of the best up and down both the East and West Coast especially those fishing aboard party boats. A lot of anglers have a strong mangrove game but here are a few pointers to give you a edge the next time you head out or jump on board a party fishing boat. Mangroves have unmatched eye sight and as they get bigger they become very cautious. You have to lighten up on your leader and use fluorocarbon, but and there is always a but, you can go too light. We grow them big out of Canaveral so if you are fishing directly on the bottom 40lb test is the absolute bare minimum. You should really start with 80lb test and work your way down until you get the bites. If you start breaking fish off you will shut them down.
Sliding sinker rig fished tight to the bottom is the most effective rig for mangroves in this area. Use the smallest weight you can to hold bottom. Drop down to a 50lb swivel and drop down in hook size but make sure you use a strong enough hook that allows you to pull. Mangroves are not as stupid as red snapper, they will find the structure in a hurry. Pay attention to details such as clipping the tag end of you leader short, change any abrasion or fray in your leader because abrasion negates the purpose of your fluorocarbon. Bait presentation and leader length are very important. The very best advice that can’t be stressed enough is pay attention to the details. Everything matters when mangrove fishing.
Mangrove snapper up in the water column are a entire different animal than when they are feeding on the bottom. Everything has to be perfect to catch these fish. Drop down to 20-50 lb test and learn by practicing how to apply perfect drag pressure with your hand because perfect preset drag does not exist for this style of fishing. This can’t be taught because it is a feel and understanding of where in the water column you got the bite, how far the fish has pulled drag to the amount of pressure you apply before breaking the line or the fish gets you all the way back into the bottom. Bait presentation is key, hook has to be hidden and the bait has to fall at the same rate as the chum.
All kinds of baits work for mangrove snapper. Small live baits such as cigar minnows, pilchards, pin fish and grunts are perfect gum drops. More mangroves have been caught on grunt plugs and lips than any other bait there is and the frozen sardine or cigar minnow is a close second.
I could write a entire book on tips and tricks to mangrove snapper fishing but a good place to start is by applying these few simple tips and techniques. If you are aboard a party boat pay attention to what other’s are doing that are catching them and you will find out how thrilling and rewarding this amazing fishery is. It also doesn’t hurt that they taste fantastic also.
Mangrove Snapper Slot Size Chart
Here in my home water of Cape Canaveral our local party boat is running a evening mangrove trip on the 15th the Sturgeon Moon. If anyone is interested this is the perfect opportunity to practice. www.fishobsession.com 321-453-3474
About Captain Greg
Captain Greg has been fishing the waters of Port Canaveral and the Atlantic for over 30 years. He has the largest and most highly rated private charter business in Port Canaveral, Sea Leveler Sport Fishing Charters. Greg and his team of full time captains fish well over 200 days each per year. We have kept detailed catch history for every trip ran since 2010. You can access this history at www.sealeveler.com/reports. His engineer wife, Amber, has analyzed the catch history along with other historical data such as water temperature and weather patterns. Greg uses his fishing experience and knowledge along with his wife’s statistical analysis to bring you the best fishing report available for Port Canaveral. Greg will give you the honest truth on how the fishing has been along with his best prediction of what to expect by using all of this information.
Capt. Greg on the web: https://www.sealeveler.com/
Phone: (321) 794-3474
Mississippi Saltwater Fishing
*Bag/Possession are per person unless stated otherwise. | Minimum Length in Inches | Number of Fish |
| Cobia | 36 FL | 2 |
| Flounder | 12 TL | 10 |
| Red Drumw | 18 TL to 30 TL** | 3 |
| Spotted Seatrout | 15 TL | 15 |
| King Mackerelwww | 24 FL | 3 |
| Spanish Mackerelwww | 12 FL | 15 |
| Tripletail | 18 TL | 3 |
| Sheepshead | 14 TL | 15 |
| Vermilion Snapperwww | 10 TL | 20 (in aggregate) |
| Lane Snapperwww | 8 TL | |
| Tarponwwww | 75 FL | 1 per vessel |
| Gray Triggerfishwww | 15 FL | 1 (in aggregate) |
| Almaco Jackwww | No Limit | 20 (in aggregate) |
| Goldface Tilefishwww | No Limit | |
| Anchor Tilefishwww | No Limit | |
| Tilefishwww | No Limit | |
| Blackline Tilefishwww | No Limit | |
| Blueline Tilefishwww | No Limit | |
| Goliath Grouperwww | No Take | No Take |
| Nassau Grouperwww | No Take | No Take |
| Warsaw Grouperwww | No Limit | 1 per vessel*** |
| Red & Yellowfin Grouperswww | 20 TL | 4 (in aggregate) |
| Black Grouperwww | 24 TL | |
| Gagwww | 24 TL**** | |
| Scampwww | 16 TL | |
| Speckled Hindwww | No Limit | 1 per vessel*** |
| Red Snapperwww See Common Finfish in Mississippi Waters | 16 TL | 2 |
| Gray, Schoolmaster, Cubera, Dog, Mahogany & Yellowtail Snapperswww | 12 TL | 5 (in aggregate) |
| Mutton Snapperwww | 18 TL | |
| Queen, blackfin, silk & wenchman Snapperswww | No Limit | |
| Yellowmouth, yellowedge, misty & snowy groupers | No Limit | 4 (in aggregate)** |
| Rock & red hind groupers | No Limit | 4 (in aggregate)** |
| Greater Amberjackwww | 34 FL | 1 |
| Lesser Amberjack & Banded Rudderfishwww | 14 FL to 22 FL** | 5 (in aggregate) |
| Hogfishwww | 14 FL | 5 |
| Bigeye Tunawww | 27 CFL | No Limit |
| Yellowfin Tunawww | 27 CFL | 3 |
| Swordfish | 47 lower jaw FL | 1 per person/up to 4 per vessel |
| Blue Marlinwww | 99 lower jaw FL | No Limit |
| White Marlinwww | 66 lower jaw FL | No Limit |
| Sailfishwww | 63 lower jaw FL | No Limit |
| Longbill Spearfishwww | No Take | No Take |
| Sharks (large coastals & pelagics)ww/www | 37 TL | 1 per person/up to 3 per vessel |
| Sharks (small coastals)ww/www | 25 TL | 4 |
| Crabs – Hard Shells | 5***** | No Limit |
| Crabs – Soft Shell | No Limit | No Limit |
Size and possession limits are subject to change. Visit dmr.ms.gov for the most current limits. | ||
* It is illegal to sell any seafood taken with a recreational license. ** Range represents minimum and maximum lengths. *** Recreational fishermen may possess one per vessel within four-fish aggregate. **** Recreational fishermen may possess two within four-fish aggregate. ***** As measured from tip of one lateral spine across the back of the shell to tip of opposite lateral spine. w Recreational fishermen may retain only one Red Drum over 30 inches. ww Possession of certain coastal sharks is prohibited. See federal regulations for more information. www For information on federally regulated fish and updated size limits, visit gulfcouncil.org. wwww May not remove fish from water if over 40” in length unless harvesting within specified limits above. TL = Total Length – Straight line distance from tip of snout to tip of tail. FL = Fork Length – Straight line distance from tip of snout to fork of tail. CFL = Curved Fork Length – Tip of the upper jaw to the fork of tail measured along the contour of the middle of the body. Lower jaw FL (for billfish)=Lower Jaw Fork Length. Tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the tail measured along the contour of the middle of the body. Bluefin Tuna limits are variable throughout the season and depend on the size category. Refer to nmfspermits.com or call 888-872-8862 for updated information. All Bluefin catches must be reported to the MDMR Office of Marine Fisheries, 1141 Bayview Ave., Biloxi, MS 39530, or call 228-374-5000. Note: Fishing seasons for some species may be closed by order of the Mississippi Commission on Marine Resources. Advance notice of such closures shall be given. Species caught out of their natural habitat may have size, creel and seasonal limits. | ||
How to Measure a Fish
Total Length
Straight line distance from tip of snout to tip of tail.
Mangrove Snapper Slot Size
Fork Length
Straight line distance from tip of snout to fork of tail.
Federal regulations may differ from state regulations. For federal regulations, contact the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council at 888-833-1844 or gulfcouncil.org.