Undeniably, fishing in itself is a pleasure that is hard to top. Being able to eat your catch, too; now there is a true experience that dates back to caveman days: “I catch….I eat”. When in Florida, snapper fishing is a must do trip that will cap off your Florida vacation.
Florida waters are home to several varieties of snapper. Some snapper prefer shallower waters, 200 feet and less, while others are deep water dwellers, found in waters from 500 to 1000 feet in depth. One common thread of the snapper species is their bottom living habits, so fishing for snapper is a bottom fishing experience. Within the species, each has their own habits which must be learned in order to successfully locate and reel them in. Some prefer rocky crevices on the ocean bottom in which to troll, others take up habitation in wrecks and yet others stick to reefs, canals and mangroves.
Shallow water snapper varieties include yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, lane snapper, school master and mangrove snapper. Some of this category also can be found along reef lines, such as school master, yellowtail and lane snapper.
Among the deeper water snapper families are the yellow-eye, cubera, queen, and vermillion snapper. Many of these will be located in large numbers in and around deep water wrecks, along with other varieties of Florida fish.
Another key to having a great Florida snapper fishing experience is to know the snapper’s feeding preferences. Chum works very well with certain varieties like the Mangrove and School Master, while others will turn up their noses (figuratively speaking, of course) at chum yet feast voraciously on shrimp and squid.
The type of fishing equipment you use should be appropriate to the variety of snapper, as well. Some of these snapper put up a pretty good fight. Once an area has been identified as a “hot spot” for the bottom dweller, bumping the bottom with your line achieves great results. Generally, it will take only a few minutes in a hot spot to get your first strike. Patience is the key in reeling in a large snapper, some of which, like the Red Snapper, can weigh in at more than 50 pounds, although average sizes are 5 to 25 pounds. You will want to be aware of legal size limits before your fishing venture begins.
Different varieties of the snapper species spawn at various times of the year, conveniently creating a long Florida snapper fishing season. Two of the earliest are the yellowtail snapper and the mutton snapper, with the best times of angling being spring and early summer. One of the latest varieties is the vermillion snapper that spawns in the winter.
After your Florida snapper fishing trip is over, the enjoyment will continue as you feast upon your catch. Grilled, fried, baked, or even raw, snapper is just plain good eating. No one in your family will complain about your fishing habits when you bring home results like this! So be sure to include a snapper fishing trip in your next vacation to Florida.
By: Craig Petersen
Posts Tagged ‘Florida Waters’
Florida Snapper Fishing
April 25th, 2010Florida Sport Fishing – 4 Great Resources For Fishing Enthusiasts
October 29th, 2009
There is a mass of sport fishing hot spots to be found along the coasts of Florida so this is where many sport fishing enthusiasts flock to year in, year out. There are places like the Florida Keys, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and off the coasts around Cabo San Lucas. Sport fishing is an activity popular in Florida for many outdoor enthusiasts who can charter boats for an excursion out on the ocean for the day.
1. Sport Fishing Categories in Florida
There is a vast range on offer in species that can be found in Florida waters for all those who love sport fishing. The sport fishing options that are available in this area which you will find on fishing charters are:
. Catches of Blackfin Tuna
. Evening Swordfishing
. King fish
. Sailfish
. Snapper
. Tackle Sportfishing
. Wahoo
2. The Florida Sport Fishing Regions
In each region of Florida you will find many different beaches and coastal areas. You can find idyllic spots located around Florida to suit both beginners and experts, to catch sizeable fish and to enjoy the beaches. The popular spots include:
. Central Florida: Belle glade, Deland, Haven, Kissimmee, Leesburg, Ocala, Orlando and Winter Haven
. East Central: Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Ft. Pierce, Melborne, New Smyrna, Sabastian, Stuart, Titusville and Vero Beach
. Florida Keys: Key Largo, Key West
. Northeast: Fernandina Beach, Flagler Beach, Jacksonville, St. Augustine
. Northwest-Big Bend: Cedar Key, Crystal River, Hernando Beach, Homosassa Springs, Perry, Spring Hill, Steinhatche and Suwanee
. Panhandle: Apalachicola, Destin, Ft. Walton Beach, Panama City, Pensacola, Port St. Joe, St. Marks and Tallahassee
. South East: Biscayne Bay, Boca Raton, Everglades, Ft. Lauderdale, Jupiter and Miami Beach
. Southwest: Everglades City, Flamingo, Ft. Myers, March Island and Naples
. West Central: Boca Grande, Clearwater, New Port Riche, Pine Island, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Tampa Bay and Venice
3. Sport Fishing Tournaments of Florida
The Florida has many competitions and fishing tournaments which are hugely popular all around. This hive of activity is fun and offers something exciting for those who want to show off their talent locally. Top of the fishing tournaments that you will in the area of Florida are:
. Bahamas White Marlin Open
. Florida Billfish Masters
. George Bush Cheeca Lodge Bonefish Tournament
. Harbor Docks Open
. Islamorada Sailfish Tournament
. Islamorada Swordfish Tournament
. Senorita Shootout
. Take Stock in Children Backcountry Challenge
4. Baitshops and Marinas for Sportfishing in Florida
Throughout the state of Florida there are baitshops and marinas galore so that you pick up the best in catches and lures for your gear. There are so many shops or stores to choose from that will to manage your supplies and fill your list of equipment from Marco Island right to Naples. The basic supplies for sportfishing are bait, rigged and unrigged ballyhoos, castings for flyfishing, knot equipment, standard lures and spinners. For Marco Island and the western Florida area the main supply shops to be found include:
. 4Yacht in Ft. Lauderdale
. Bayfront Marina
. Cedar Bay Marina
. Esplanade Marina, which is on the shores of Marco Island
. Gulfshores Marina
. Sunshine Ace Hardware
By: Abhishek Agarwal
Key Resources for Florida Sport Fishing
October 14th, 2009
Sport fishing enthusiasts congregate on the coasts of Florida year after year for the multitude of sprots fishing hotspots in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, the Florida Keys, and off to the coasts of Cabo San Lucas. From charter boats to daylong excursions on the ocean, sport fishing in Florida is a popular activity for thousands of outdoor enthusiasts.
Types of Sport Fishing in Florida
Florida waters offer an abundant range of species for sport fishing enthusiast. The most common fishing charter and types of sport fishing options in the Florida area include:
• Sailfish
• Tackle Sportfishing
• Evening Swordfishing
• Catches of Blackfin Tuna
• King fish
• Wahoo
• Snapper
Regions for Florida Sport Fishing
Each separate region of Florida offers a variety of beaches and coast lines. Perfect for beginners and experts, the beaches and locations around Florida offer idyllic spots for catching the most noteworthy fish. The main areas in Florida include:
• Panhandle: Pensacola, Ft. Walton Beach, Destin, Panama City, Port St. Joe, Tallahassee, St. Marks, and Apalachicola
• Northwest-Big Bend: Perry, Steinhatche, Suwanee, Cedar Key, Crystal River, Spring Hill, Hernando Beach, and Homosassa Springs
• West Central: Boca Grande, Venice, Tampa Bay, Clearwater, New Port Riche, Pine Island, St. Petersburg, Sarasota
• Southwest: Flamingo, Everglades City, Ft. Myers, Naples, and March Island
• Central Florida: Belle Glade, Winter Haven, Kissimmee,Leesburg, Orlando, Ocala, and Deland
• Northeast: St. Augustine, Flagler Beach, Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach
• Southeast: Jupiter, Evergaldes, Miami Beach, Biscayne Bay, Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton
• Florida Keys: Key Largo, Key West
• East Central: Daytona Beach, Sabastian, Vero Beach, Cocoa Beach, Titusville, New Smyrna, Stuart, Ft. Pierce, and Melborne
Sport Fishing Tournaments in Florida
Fishing tournaments and competitions are a popular activity throughout the Florida area, and offer some fun and exciting ways to share local talent. The top fishing tournaments in the Florida area include:
• Islamorada Swordfish Tournament
• Islamorada Sailfish Tournament
• Take Stock in Children Backcountry Challenge
• George Bush Cheeca Lodge Bonefish Tournament
• Florida Billfish Masters
• Bahamas White Marlin Open
• Senorita Shootout
• Harbor Docks Open
Marinas and Baitshops for Sportfishing in Florida
You’ll find dozens of marinas and baitshops for the most suitable catches and lures throughout Florida. From Marco Island to Naples, there are a number of shops and stores to help manage the supplies and equipment list. Basic supplies for sportfishing include rigged and unrigged ballyhoos, spinners, castings for flyfishing, knot equipment, and standard lures and bait. Key supply shops in the Marco Island and western Florida area include:
• Bayfront Marina
• Cedar Bay Marina
• Esplanade Marina, situated on the open shores of Marco Island
• Gulfshores Marina
• 4Yacht in Ft. Lauderdale
• Sunshine Ace Hardware
By: Eliseo Lao
