Snapper Are Hungry In Tampa Bay

It’s been a pretty long tarpon season so Nick and I decided to switch things up, at least for one trip. Regretting not night fishing the full moon this week, snapper was the name of the game after hearing the bite was finally picking up in our area. Snapper are fun fish to fight on lighter tackle, and are excellent table fare. Hooking mangos is some of my favorite fishing.

On the boat were our 7’0 medium rods with three to four series reels spooled with fifteen to thirty pound test, thirty pound fluorocarbon leader and 2/0 to 3/0 hooks. This set up combined with a slip sinker to get the bait to the rocks was all we needed. Many people fish with much lighter combos for snapper, but I want my fish on ice and don’t really need a light tackle thrill.

Bait was not a problem on the flats for a change, good sized pilchards and pinfish were netted in short order. A big surprise, as bait has been sparse. Nick and I hit a spot known to be holding good sized snapper, anchored just right, chummed up the water and limited out. It was rough in the bay but worth it. After cleaning the catch and throwing some in the fryer, plus a few beers down the hatch, it turned out to be a satisfying trip.