Mangrove snapper invade local waters, provide action for anglers on boats, land

Anna Maria Island anglers are excited to see good numbers of mangrove snapper making a showing in local inshore and nearshore waters. 

Finding these snappers can be as easy as finding structure like reefs, rock piles, wrecks, piers and bridges — making them a favorite of both anglers in boats and anglers who fish from land. 

A variety of baits are working to attract these feisty little snappers to the hook, depending on your location. 

While fishing piers, many anglers choose to use live shrimp as they are readily available and don’t require much effort to get other than pulling out the wallet and buying them by the dozen. 

Other baits that are working well include small live shiners and small pinfish. These baits are quite effective, no matter where the angler is targeting snapper. 

Combining these baits with a small, lightweight circle hook and some 20-pound fluorocarbon leader should lead to plenty of snapper bites. Usually, the addition of a small egg sinker to the rig is required. 

Mangrove snapper tend to hang around structure on the bottom, although if chummed properly, these fish will rise up in the water column, making them targetable by simply free-lining baits to them. 

In our inshore and nearshore waters, you can expect to encounter mangrove snapper 12-18 inches, with many on the lesser end of the spectrum. Pound for pound the snappers fight quite well so using medium spinning gear is recommended just in case you hook a larger example. 

Finally, don’t forget mangrove snapper must be 10 inches in length with a bag limit of five per day per angler.

On my Just Reel charters, mangrove snapper are the highlight with limits being caught on most days.

“Hatch bait” or small shiners on a half-ounce knocker rig with a 2/0 circle hook are getting the job done yielding catches 12-18 inches depending on location. 

Mixed in with the snapper bite are flounder, Key West grunts and small groupers. On the flats I’m finding redfish along mangrove shorelines. The reds are measuring 18-22 inches. Catch-and-release snook are being found in the same areas as the reds. 

Finally spotted seatrout are being caught on deeper grass flats throughout Tampa Bay.