Fishing Trips & Hot Spots
Robert Espericueta
Roland Moya
Huge Monster Stingray
Caught & Released
Red Snapper*
Other Names
Pargo, Snapper, Pensacola Snapper

Description
Red snapper are a deep rosy red color, with a dark fringe around the dorsal and tail fins. Adults
average 2-4 pounds but can reach over 50 pounds.

To avoid misidentifying small red snapper as lane snapper, note that red snapper have an angular anal
fin and 14 soft dorsal fin ray. Lane snapper has a rounded anal fin, 12-13 soft dorsal fin ray and 8
narrow yellow stripes that fund the length of the fish.

Life History
Spawning occurs from June through September when adults are about 2 years old. Juveniles are widely
distributed over muddy or sandy bottom and are caught in great numbers during shrimping operations.
Growth is fairly fast, reaching 8 inches in the first year and gaining 3-4 inches each year thereafter.

Habitat
Although as young fish, they may be found on muddy bottoms or inshore, adult red snapper are located
primarily near structure in deeper water. They feed on crab, squid, shrimp and small fish which they find
near artificial reefs, oil rigs and other underwater structures.

Distribution
All Gulf waters

How To Catch
Red Snapper are caught from reefs, rigs and banks along the entire Texas coast. Hand line, manual
reels and electric reels are used, all equipped with heavy weights and multiple hooks. Bait with fresh
squid or cigar minnows; live pinfish or pigifsh will catch larger snapper. This is the most sought-after
offshore fish, representing an important recreational and commercial fishery.

Where To Catch
Reefs, rigs, snapper banks offshore are the best places to catch red snapper.

How To Eat
The flesh of red snapper is excellent and snapper throats are classed as a delicacy.





*All Information Courtesy Of Texas Parks & Wildlife
Bag Limit: 4
Size: 15"-No Limit