Identification
Snappers are bright silver with yellow eyes and sharp teeth. You can expect to begin catching snappers when they reach 4 or 5 inches.
Where
Harbors, saltwater creeks and back bays are typical nurseries for marine life, including snappers. Snappers are caught from beaches, docks, bulkheads and jetties.
Spotting Them
Look for small splashes from schools of juvenile bait fish--snappers chase them in the shallows. The snappers' presence is confirmed by flashes of light several inches below the surface.
Cane Poles
The traditional method of snapper fishing is with a cane pole, 7 feet of line, a bobber and hook. Anglers put a small piece of bait fish on the hook and wait for a snapper to bite. When you hook a snapper, lift the tip of the cane pole and the snapper will come out of the water.
Spinning Rods
The same bobber-and-hook setup can be used on a light spinning pole. The spinning pole gives you added range to reach the snappers when they move farther from the beach.
Snapper Poppers
A cone-shaped float is attached 2 or 3 feet ahead of the hook. Instead of bait, snapper poppers come with a hook that has flashy material on it. Used with a small spinning rod, anglers cast the snapper popper and retrieve it, splashing and popping along the way. Snappers are attracted by the noise.
Article Written By Stephen Byrne
Stephen Byrne is a freelance writer with published articles in "Nor'East Saltwater," "Sportfishing" magazine, "Pacific Coast Sportfishing" and "Salt Water Sportsman." As a fishing charter captain, he was also interviewed for a feature in "Field and Stream." Byrne studied environmental science at the State University of New York at Delhi.
