By Will Schmidt
If you have spent any time bottom fishing you know that occasionally on the heaviest of tackle you can outsmart a big snapper and end up with a solid fish. Other days you can struggle to get even shorts. If you really want to up your game, it is time to lighten up.
When I say light, I mean straight 20 or 30lb mono and light wire 3/0 hooks. You may get broken off at times, but it is worth it for a box full of stud mangos and ARS. My go to big snapper setup is G Loomis IMX Pro Blues 843 casting rod with Shimano Trinidad TN20. This outfit is light, sensitive, and deadly on snapper. Some might like a bit lighter action rod but I have found that even with straight 20lb test you can really put a lot of pressure on these fish and the backbone is nice to get them off the bottom as quickly as you can. A bit heavier is also nice when that grouper inevitably grabs the bait.
Here is a pro tip. One of the key elements for success to get big snapper, especially mangos, is the ability to react fast. Snapper get their name because they will often quickly snap at a bait and then release it. With these sensitive rods and a gear ratio of 6.2 to 1 you can pick up 46 inches of line in a single turn. A sensitive rod and a fast reel means when you feel that tap, you can come tight instantly even in deep water. Remember you must use circle hooks so reeling vs setting the hook is the way to connect to these fish. A fast reel might be the most important tool when snapper fishing.
My go to bait is a live pinfish because, everything eats a pinfish. I like having a livewell full of nice hand size pins. I do also use threadfins both live and dead. Threadfins are great baits, but a good stout live 7 inch thread is remarkably strong and can be tough to get to the bottom as they swim off with your lead. That means dead threads can be easier to get to the strike zone. Cut the heads and tails off and make a thread “plug.” Thread “plugs” are awesome for snapper bait especially when live bait is not available. If hook ups are tough, I will double up my hooks, snelling 2 circle hooks close together and getting both hidden inside the plug to increase my hookup ratio. Regardless, I use 3 to 4 feet of mono leader then a swivel and a 3 ounce lead to hold the rig right on the bottom.
Whether you really want to target big snapper or the bite is just really tough, try going light and you will likely find the results are worth it.
Will Schmidt is a seasoned tournament angler who has been writing about fishing for more than two decades.