Capt. Bill D’Antuono
It’s that time of year again, red snapper madness! The long run offshore means wake up before dawn, call all your fishing buddies, get offshore, get your red snapper limit and focus on other species. American red snapper, or ARS for short, can be found on almost any deep-water stretch of structure. If you’re not catching them, find spots in deeper water. Spearfishing these depths requires special abilities and are limited to divers with elite ability to hunt effectively. We routinely bring back trophies during these trips, so it is very rewarding to say the least!
Concurrently with the ARS opener is gag grouper opener. Larger “gags” will typically be found at the same spots where the ARS are holding. As always, it’s still ‘fishing not catching” and a lot of trial and error can come into play while hunting for these particular species. The run offshore is long, but can be rewarding. It is best to have the proper vessel rigged with radar and gear for the trip since being far offshore can present its own challenges. I recently picked up a Garmin Inreach which will allow me to directly text onshore contacts and track location of the trip. Just an added security blanket in case of an unfortunate event. Offshore Naples will be offering split hook & line trips for ARS throughout the season, so drop me a line and inquire to get on some bucket list fish. As always check my Instagram and website for up-to-date photos of our latest trips.
