Mangrove Snapper Spawn

by Raymond Munoz, Capt. Jax

Ido look forward to the reworks on the fourth, but there are other night time activities in July that I look forward to even more. Full moon shing during the mangrove snapper spawn is amazing fun. Mangrove snapper, sometimes called grey snapper, are one of the most common snapper in Florida and throughout the Gulf and into the Caribbean. ey can be found anywhere where there is structure. ey are known for their excellent eyesight and for this reason are almost always targeted with the lightest possible tackle given the conditions. ey are also amazing table fare with a so , akey white meat that is sweet.

e mangrove spawn is typically in July and August. ere are plenty of methods, but this is the way I do it. On and around the full moon seems to o er the best action. Since we’ll be o shore I’m not picky about the tide but only require that there is current. Any wind is ne, except a West wind. Find some hard bottom in 25 to 55 feet of water. e more structure the better. Set up your chum and let it ride. e yellowtail will likely be a part of this too so we’ll sh both while we are here. A spinning rig with a 6000 series reel is how I roll with the mangies’. e rig is an ounce or two egg sinker on the mainline, to a swivel and a light uorocarbon leader of 15-20 lbs. Make your leader about 18 inches in length. e hook is a 3/0 slice shank J hook by Mustad #92661. is hook is important because it has little barbs on the shank that help to hold the chunk bait in place. I nd that dead chunked pilchards work best at night, even beating out live bait.

With your chum slicked out behind the boat cast a chunk of sardine out into the slick and close the bail when it hits the bottom. Since we are shing yellowtail at the same time, I’ll freeline a much lighter rig with silversides just below the surface and let it dri along in the chum. You can catch big mangroves with this method. If o shore at night is intimidating, mangroves can also be caught on the inside. typically, the sh will be smaller, 12- 15 inches. In parts of the bay and even above the bay our sea grass seems to be making a slow comeback. Find a grassy place with current in 6 to 10 feet of water. Lay out your chum. Use light spinning tackle with 10 lb uorocarbon leader and small wire hooks or a small jig head, maybe 3/16 oz. e preferred bait again is small chunks of pilchards.

Captain Jax Bait and Tackle

490c E 4th Ave, Hialeah, FL 33010

@captainjaxmiami

786.300.5362