What type of bait does the Red Snapper prefer?

Because the Red Snapper will eat almost anything, the fishermen never quite knows what to expect when trying to land this particular type of fish.  The Red Snapper is caught commercially and recreationally using primarily multi-hook geer with electric reels.  Though the Red Snapper will eat almost anything, it prefers small fish and crustaceans.  Though there is no doubt that the Red Snapper can be caught using artificial lures, it is widely known that the fish will attack the aritifcial bait with far less enthusiasm and vigor.  As a result, it is generally preferable to use live or natural bait.  The Red Snapper typically feed on smaller fish, such as squid, shrimp, and eels.  It’s also interesting to note that the Red Snapper gets more line shy the older it becomes.  Though smaller, natural bait is typically used when fishing for Red Snapper, it’s important to remember that if your goal is to catch a bigger Red Snapper, then you need to use bigger bait.  Big snapper have a greater appetite and will be more likely to be tempted by larger baits, such as whole pogies, whole white trout, croakers, or chunks from hardtails and bonita.  Another benefit to fishing with larger bait is that there is less chance that you will catch a Red Snapper that is underweight, thus cutting down on the time it takes to throw it back and rebait your hook.  Other effective baits include cigar minnows, live pinfish, or live pigfish.  The Red Snapper is the most sought after offshore fish and is typically caught from reefs, rigs, and banks along the coast. 

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