How to Fish For Lane Snapper

How to Fish For Lane Snapper

night fishing image by Aimee Kirkham from Fotolia.com

Lane snapper (Lutjanus synagis), is also known as candy striper, rainbow and Mexican snapper. The snapper is found in western portions of the Atlantic, stretching from North Carolina south to Brazil and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Its upper sides and back are reddish-pink, with horizontal stripes colored yellow or pink and a large, black spot just below its dorsal fin. It is not a large snapper, with average length of 14 inches, and it has a reputation for striking ferociously. Even novice anglers will have luck landing a lane snapper.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • Baitcasting rod
  • Spinning rod
  • 6 to 12 pound test line
  • Shrimp
  • Baitfish
  • Squid
  • Jig
  • Chum
  • 20 to 30 pound test
  • Monofilament leader
Step 1
Fish for lane snappers (evenings are best) inshore where bottoms are sandy with vegetation and seagrass beds and the presence of shrimp in the area.
Step 2
Use a light tackle baitcasting or spinning rod, when fishing inshore waters. Rig up with a 6 to 12 pound test line.
Step 3
Bait your hook with live shrimp, cut shrimp, cut baitfish, or squid, when using natural bait. Rig up with a jig, if using artificial bait to catch lane snappers.
Step 4
Find lane snappers offshore in deeper waters around shipwrecks and reefs. According to the Museum of Natural History, lane snappers inhabit waters that are as deep as 1,300 feet.
Step 5
Chum the water approximately 10 minutes before fishing. This will bring the lane snappers, as well as other fish, closer to the surface.
Step 6
Rig your rod with a heavy-duty monofilament leader, and change out your line for a 20 to 30 pound test. You will need a heavier rig when fishing in deep, offshore waters.
Step 7
Utilize the same bait for catching lane snappers offshore as you would for inshore fishing. Shrimp, squid and cut baitfish will all work well.

Tips & Warnings

 
Once a lane snapper establishes itself in a particular area, it rarely relocates to another place.
 
Juvenile lane snappers primarily live inshore within seagrass beds and where the ground is sandy.
 
All species of snappers feed most actively at night.
 
Grouper prefer the same bait used for catching lane snapper.
 
Periodically check your line for nicks, as the snapper's teeth are sharp. Pull out fresh line and re-rig if nicks are present as they will weaken the line and you run the chance of it breaking.
 
Check local regulations regarding the minimum size and bag limit concerning lane snappers.

Article Written By Joyce Starr

Joyce Starr is a professional writer from Florida and owns a landscaping company and garden center. She has published articles about camping in Florida, lawn care and gardening and writes for a local gardening newsletter. She shares her love and knowledge of the outdoors and nature through her writing.

Write for Trails.com
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