I double my main line with a Bimini twist, then tie the double line to a No. If you're hunting monsters, make sure your entire terminal system can handle the strain. The most important thing about baiting up that I have learnt is to try different ways if the fish aren’t biting on the ones that I know work. I prefer to use a black swivel, as there is a better chance of a snapper not seeing it compared to a brass one. 50 percent. Fish this bait on 6-foot leader. This is a good rig to use with weights heavier than 16 ounces and for fishing over heavy structure. This rig works with egg sinkers up to 16 ounces. When fishing in deep water a paternoster rig is generally employed, as this allows the angler to get the bait to the bottom quicker than the floater rig. The next important factor in your hunt for a trophy snapper is how to present this fresh bait that you have acquired. Knot tying is a very important part of your rig. Tarpon/Cobia on the flats or near inlets: 50 lb to 80 lb mono leader and 20 lb to 40 lb braid/mono main line depending on size of expected fish Although the 10 lb braid main line seems a bit light for battling big snook and reds on the flats, just keep in mind that the true breaking strength of braid is often much higher than its listed value. Using a rig like this takes away all the metal of a ganged rig and allows the bait to float naturally in the water column rather than it being so stiff with four gang hooks. 4 SPRO Power Swivels rated for 230-pound test. Exactly what comprises a typical “snapper outfit” has been widely publicised. Pilchards certainly work well but they can be a one hit wonder and are probably in my opinion more suited to deepwater fishing. Catching Red Snapper in the Spring. Leader Size: With tuna, the lighter the fluorocarbon, the more likely you will be to get bit. With this rig, the fishing line is tied to a barrel swivel. Another good thing about this rig is that the final hook can be threaded through the bait several times before it is set. Pro Tactics for Wahoo. A larger leader becomes bulky and tends to spook the fish. I've seen leaders with broken barrel swivels, leaders that have frayed apart, and small hooks and light leaders that simply had no chance of beating a big bottom fish. Attach the hook, a 1 to 3-ounce barrel weight to the leader line and attach the leader to the fishing line with a pivot. The mangrove or gray snapper is one of the more delectable fish you can eat. First of all remember – they call these fish mangrove snapper for a reason. My favourite baits for snapper fishing are garfish, poddy mullet, and scad. Already a subscriber? Should all of these elements fall into place, you'll find yourself muscling big fish out of the depths and into your cooler. This is a rig that requires quick reaction on the part of the angler. All contents copyright © 2014 Fishing Monthly. Artificial Lures for Catching Red Snapper. I also use the smallest, strongest hooks that will get the job done, especially when fishing for snapper. Boats. You can have all the right lines and tackle you like but without a strong knot holding it all together forget it. Charging life into electric motor batteries, Break out the sea gars: catching garfish for food and bait, A Beginner’s Guide to Northern Moreton Bay Pelagics. Boats. I use 40lb Black Magic Tough fluorocarbon leader, as I generally fish in shallow water close to reefie ledges. The same tends to happen with braid when the fish is at the side of the boat and does a big dive for the bottom. Then I tie on six feet of 40- or 50-pound fluorocarbon and a 5/0 to 8/0 circle hook, based on the bait I'm using and size of the fish. Rigs are fairly simple.There is the simple egg lead rig and my favorite is the snap lead rig. For reef bottom fishing I've found when using Braid all the way down to a rig or leader it reduces bites. When that trophy fish bites you really want them to bite into a hook that is constructed strong enough to withstand the pressure that will be exerted on it. Latest. Depending on your target species, the three-way swivel should be a minimum of 130-pound test. How To. If the angler isn’t ready for this with the drag backed right off, then the fish inevitably gets away. If you want to catch more red snapper than ever this season, watch the TWO videos below. Yellowtail Snappers Favorite Bait – Weighted live bait attracts grouper & mutton snapper often pursuing in the chum.