Mangrove Snapper

The Mangrove Snapper

By Buck Davidson 

The wake from the flats boat laps gently among the red mangrove prop roots

as you and your guide round a bend in the channel. The boat slows as you

approach an oyster bar protruding out into the gin-clear water, creating an

undercut ledge some 10-12 feet in depth. Anchoring upcurrent from the

promising-looking hole, you drift weightless live bait into the swirling waters,

watching as your line dips under the rocky embankment. Your bait has

barely left your sight when your rod doubles under the surge of a jarring

strike. After a few minutes of tussling with your quarry, a beautiful 14 inch

fish is hauled aboard. The body glistens silver in the early morning sunlight,

with coffee and mahogany overtones very apparent. The scene repeats itself

several more times before the tidal change signals the end of the bite. Supper

tonight will be nothing short of exquisite – the star attractions are swimming in

the livewell: a half-dozen burly mangrove snapper.

The scientific name for the mangrove snapper is Lutjanus griseus – We’re

not fond of throwing around Latin names here, but this is a fish known by

several common names. Mangrove snapper, gray snapper and mango

snapper are probably the most frequently used – but they also bear some

resemblance to the mahogany snapper, schoolmaster and the white grunt.

Folks also tend to make up their own names for these critters, and some of

them are downright imaginative. Whatever name they go by, mangrove

snappers are a hoot to catch on light tackle and, like most members of the

snapper family – fabulous eating. True to their name, juvenile mangrove

snapper inhabit the backwaters of the mangrove estuaries – lurking amid the

roots and ledges, dashing out to ambush prey. When they begin reaching

adulthood, the snappers move offshore and take up residence near areas of

hard, rocky outcroppings and bottom structure.

Mangrove snapper feed on small fish and crustaceans – they will rarely hit

artificial baits and can be very leader-shy. The big ones, especially, can be

darn finicky about eating your bait. They are very quick and can swipe your

bait in a New York minute, so be prepared to set the hook. Use the smallest

hook and lightest line you can get away with under the conditions – rig your

bait so it will swim as naturally as possible. Chumming is a very good idea

and seems to help the snapper become less wary about chomping your bait

down. Just hang a bag of frozen chum over the side of the boat and let the

current carry the scent and yummy morsels into the snappers’ lair. Set your

bait to drift amid the chum and hang on tight.

Mangrove snapper don’t get huge: 2-5 pounders are prime table fare and

they grow to reach about 15. They are quite common, and are one of those

fish you can invite home for supper and not worry about depleting the stock.

To be legal, a mangrove snapper must be 10 inches in length – there is a 5

fish limit and an aggregate limit on snapper. Best bet is to check the

regulations before you go. But you should definitely go – once you try the

first bite of grilled snapper filet, you’ll be glad you did.