Here we go! Red Snapper season 2014 has been announced and we are all excited! Let’s keep our fingers crossed for calm seas. It’s no secret that the red snapper population has exploded, and the limit of one per person should not be hard to fill.
If you find yourself on a spot that is marking fish but they are not biting, or you are only catching small snapper, it may be because the spot has already been beat up. You may even find yourself fishing in a crowd at that very moment. In this situation, I suggest you lighten up and drift down. I like to use a 5/0 J hook or a 5/0 circle hook on a small knocker rig.
To make the knocker rig, start with a 6-foot stretch of 40-pound fluorocarbon leader, add a ¼-ounce egg sinker, and tie the hook directly to the fluoro. Don’t use a swivel to connect the fluoro to the main line, and if you are using braid, have a good top shot of mono. Cut a pogy, pinfish, strip of cut bait or if you have small live baits use them alive. Pin any of these to the hook and freeline them down directly over the mark of fish. Make sure you do not stop the decent, and as soon as you feel that line start taking off quicker, set the hook.
At this point your angling skills will have to take over and you will need to apply as much pressure as you can to stop that fish without busting it off due to applying to much drag. This tactic normally requires you to apply drag pressure with your hand and can take a little practice. Just try to get a feel for the breaking strength of the line you are using, and err on the side of too little drag. If you bust them off from pure strength, you have no chance. If the wind or current are pushing you along, it will help pull your fish away from the structure or possibly have them feeding farther away from the structure and increase your odds.
I hope these tips will help you land some large red snapper and stock up your freezers. Remember, with this derby-style fishing we will find the Atlantic Ocean has gotten awfully small. Respect the first-come, first-serve courtesy. If someone is on a spot already, go find another. If you are sitting on a common rock, don’t flip out when another boat wants to fish there also. Most people don’t have endless bottom numbers to fish. Don’t forget to vent your throw-backs, and be ready for some great fishing. Good luck out there everyone!
Capt. Greg Rapp has fished his home waters professionally for more than 20 years and is on the water more than 250 days a year. He owns Sea Leveler Sport Fishing Charters. Contact him at (321) 794-3474 or see his website, www.sealeveler.com.
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