Last Updated on August 11, 2022 by Staff Writer
Tampa Bay is home to a plethora of fish species, but one of the best to target when fishing is the mangrove snapper. Mangrove snappers are delicious, fight hard, and are relatively easy to catch once you know where to look for So if. If you’re looking for a fun and delicious fishing adventure, mangrove snapper fishing in Tampa Bay is the way to go!
Mangrove snapper, also known as gray snapper, mango snapper, or black snapper, are prevalent in the inshore and offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico. They are usually dark brown with reddish or orange spots along the sides of their bodies and are notorious for their sharp teeth located towards the front of their mouths. Most mangrove snapper caught by anglers in Tampa Bay range from one to three pounds.
Live or frozen bait fishing is the most commonly used method for mangrove snapper fishing in Tampa Bay. Shrimp is probably one of the most popular live baits used for mangrove snapper fishing, but they will also eat them frozen. Mud minnows, greenbacks, and pinfish are also excellent live baits.
Light tackle is in order for mangrove snapper fishing. There’s no need for fancy setups when fishing for snapper inshore in Tampa. A 3000 series reel is a good place to start and should work well for most inshore snapper fishing in the bay. Snapper like to hang out near docks, rocks, and other structures, so a braid to fluoro leader combination is your best bet for a line setup. There’s no need for heavy line since these snapper are on the smaller side. 15-20 pound braid should suffice paired with 10-15 pound fluorocarbon.
One of the best places to mangrove snapper fish in Tampa Bay is around the Skyway Bridge. Fish are attracted to the bridge because of the structure and food available there. The Gandy and Frankland bridges usually hold plenty of snapper too. Check the bridge pilings for the heaviest concentrations of fish.
Snapper fishing in Tampa is a great way to enjoy the beautiful weather and scenery while filling your freezer with delicious fish. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and give mangrove snapper fishing in Tampa Bay a try!