Story by Captain Chris Nelson
Photo supplied by Safari 1, Stuart, Florida
When you’re fishing for mutton snapper, use this proven rig for success. Start by anchoring about 50 feet off the structure in the sandy area. Use a 30 pound class spinning or conventional rod set-up.
1) On the end of your line tie on a swivel. Attach a ten to fifteen foot section of 30 pound test line.
2) Thread a swivel onto that section of line so that it can move freely up and down that ten to fifteen foot section of line.
3) On the end of the ten to fifteen foot section tie a bank sinker heavy enough to hold bottom.
4) Now on that free moving swivel, attach a 20 to 30 foot section of fluorocarbon line (20-30 pound test works well).
5) Then attach a #4 circle hook to the end of the fluorocarbon.
6) Now hook your favorite live bait (pilchard, greenie, sardine or finger mullet) in the lips and send the bait on down to the bottom.
You end up having a live bait that can swim freely from the bottom on up to ten to fifteen feet off the bottom. By using the fluorocarbon your terminal tackle is nearly invisible. Try this rig next time you’re looking to catch mutton snappers. A good place and time to use this method is near the patch reefs just off the beaches during the time of year when the sea turtles are hatching. Mutton snappers love eating baby turtles and you’ll notice this when you catch these snappers and check their stomachs back at the filet tables.
Good luck and good fishing.
Captain Chris Nelson
All Hooked Up Sportfishing Charters
Phone: (772) 408-3119
Email: CaptainChrisn@yahoo.com
Located at Harbortown Marina, Ft. Pierce, FL
[easy-social-share]