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. The bag and size limit changes occasionally, so be sure to check them before you go fishing (click here). But you should definitely go - once you try the first bite of grilled snapper filet, you'll be glad you did.

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