How to Catch Red Snapper

EDITOR'S NOTE: Mike Parker, the captain of the "Silver King," a charter boat based out of Destin, Florida, rarely fishes more than 10 miles off the beach, unlike many other charter-boat captains. And Parker daily produces really good numbers of bottom feeders and pelagic species. This week we'll look at how, where and when Parker fishes.

Question: Mike, what bait do you like to use for red snapper?
Answer: I prefer to fish with live herring, live cigar minnows or a live pinfish. If I can't get live bait, I like to use cut bonita strips or cut dead cigar minnows.

Question: How will you rig for snapper?
Answer: I use 40-pound test main line with a 5- to 8-ounce slip lead up the main line. Below the slip lead, I'll tie on a barrel swivel and to the other end of the barrel swivel, I'll tie 2 to 3 feet of 30- to 40-pound-test monofilament leader. Or, I'll use fluorocarbon leader to keep the line as invisible as possible. On the end of the leader, I'll tie a circle hook and then bait my live bait just in front of the eyes.

Question: Why do you like a circle hook instead of a straight hook?
Answer: The circle hook will catch the snapper in their mouths and rarely in the gut like a straight hook often does. Since we're releasing all our undersized snapper, doing as little damage to those fish as possible is very important to me. Another advantage to using a circle hook is that once you're hooked-up, vary rarely will the snapper throw the circle hook. I've also noticed that you lose fewer fish with the circle hook than with the straight hook.

Question: When you fish with the circle hook, when and how do you set the hook?
Answer: When the snapper has taken the bait, the fish will bounce the rod tip two or three times. You really have to fight the urge to pull back on the rod and set the hook. But instead of setting the hook when you feel the bite, wait for the snapper to take the hook. Then when the snapper has the hook in the right position in its mouth, the rod will begin to bend. As the rod starts to bend, begin reeling. Don't pull the rod up. The number-one rule to remember when you fish a circle hook is never to jerk up on the rod to attempt to set the hook like you do when you're bass fishing.

Question: When you've got the fish on, how do you fight it to the boat?
Answer: The first 10 seconds after you're sure the snapper is on the line, lift and reel down, and then lift and reel down some more. Then after you've got the snapper off the bottom, just reel slow and steadily.

Question: How do you get the snapper onboard?
Answer: I prefer to use a dip net to land snapper. If I don't have a dip net onboard, I'll try and gaff the fish in the mouth to keep from damaging any of the meat.

To learn more about Captain Mike Parker's offshore fishing trips, call (877) 827-7667, or go to the www.destincharterboats.com website.