Thread: how far for snapper?

You need to ask your captain before the trip instead of surprising him on the day of. Depending on the specifics, he may have no problem changing to target snapper on a 4 hour, or he might tell you it requires some extra $$ to go the additional miles.

Originally Posted by Pierless

You need to ask your captain before the trip instead of surprising him on the day of. Depending on the specifics, he may have no problem changing to target snapper on a 4 hour, or he might tell you it requires some extra $$ to go the additional miles.

I definitely wouldn't spring that on the captain, as i figure he would maybe need to consider different gear/bait/lures. I was just asking to see whether I should even bring it up with him before the trip. If it wasn't remotely feasible, then I wouldn't even inquire about it.

Since the rigs are somewhat close to Ft. Morgan, would it be possible to do snapper fishing AND still have time to drift the dixey bar and try to find some specs as well? or would that be packing too much into one 4 hour trip and putting too much pressure on trying to catch snapper too quickly?

Originally Posted by mforbesiii

Since the rigs are somewhat close to Ft. Morgan, would it be possible to do snapper fishing AND still have time to drift the dixey bar and try to find some specs as well? or would that be packing too much into one 4 hour trip and putting too much pressure on trying to catch snapper too quickly?

The snapper catching could be near instant or could actually take some effort depending on a few factors. If you are talking about the first few days of the season, the water is decent, the seas aren't rough, and you get going early, the snapper will probably be caught very quickly at close in rigs. If you are fairly late in the season on a Saturday, the water is rough chocolate milk, there are a dozen boats tied to every rig... you get the picture.

I personally consider fishing the rigs to be more fun than fishing the bar, but that is just a personal preference thing. I just can't get excited by specks -- I'd rather catch one drag screaming mackerel than a limit of trout. Again, that is purely a personal preference.

Originally Posted by Pierless

The snapper catching could be near instant or could actually take some effort depending on a few factors. If you are talking about the first few days of the season, the water is decent, the seas aren't rough, and you get going early, the snapper will probably be caught very quickly at close in rigs. If you are fairly late in the season on a Saturday, the water is rough chocolate milk, there are a dozen boats tied to every rig... you get the picture.

I personally consider fishing the rigs to be more fun than fishing the bar, but that is just a personal preference thing. I just can't get excited by specks -- I'd rather catch one drag screaming mackerel than a limit of trout. Again, that is purely a personal preference.

Thanks so much Pierless. Apologies for the constant follow up questions, but I guess that is what you get for providing good feedback! We would be going out on Wednesday the 17th of June in the morning. Is snapper season even still open then? While trying to catch snapper, what else can be caught? I don't know the first thing about snapper fishing. Is it something where 2 people can be trying for snapper and two others could be using lighter tackle for other fish that hang out by the rigs? It would be me, my brother in law, his wife and their 10 year old son. So bringing in a huge fish might be tougher for some of the group, who may enjoy catching things like specs or reds or whatever else may be caught by the rigs. What kind of gear is used for snapper? conventional reels on thick boat rods?

No problem. If you are going with a charter boat who holds a reef permit, their season is open then. The recreational season will be closed at that time, so it is doubtful that other boats will be in your way at all. As far as catching other things while snapper fishing, that depends largely on where you go and what your captain is willing to do. Women and kids can pull in big snapper with the right gear and possibly a little assistance, I would not worry about that. In my experience doing charters, the harder pulling the fish, the more fun everyone has almost all the time. You could possibly catch spadefish on light tackle with small pieces of shrimp or squid. King mackerel are a common catch around the rigs. Specs won't be out there. Bull reds are an occasional catch at the rigs, but they are not legal to keep in federal waters. I am not much of a trout fisherman, but honestly I don't expect you'd be tearing them up on the bar reliably in the middle of June. If I'm wrong on that someone correct me. Hopefully you can ask your captain and get an honest answer, or even check a few days ahead of your trip to see what he's been catching.

The rods and reels used for snapper just depends on what your captain wants you to use, ask him. Both heavy conventional setups and spinning reels on jigging style rods are common.