SNAPPER, NORTHERN RED

N, R, S -

SNAPPER, NORTHERN RED

Scientific Name: 
Lutjanus campechanus
Salt/Fresh: 
Salt
Also Known As: 
Red Snapper; Pargo Colorado; Vermelho; Pargo del Golfo; Huachinango del Golfo; NORTHERN RED SNAPPER; Acara Aya; Boca Negra; Chillo; Cora; Luciano-do-golfo; Pargre Fine; Pargo; Pargo Guachinango; Parge Real; Roodvis; Sarde Rouge; Vermelho; Vivaneau Campeche; Vivanot Jolle-bleu
Rating: 
Countries: 
Other Countries
United States
Description: 

The Northern Red Snapper reaches an average length of 24 inches (60cm), with a maximum length of 39 inches (100cm) and may weigh up to 20 pounds. Sexual maturity is reached at 2 years, at which time northern red snapper are typically12-16 inches (30-40cm) in length. Maximum age is estimated at 40-50 years. The Northern Red Snapper is a popular game fish and is highly prized table fare. Eight million pounds of this snapper are caught in American waters each year. Most commercial fishing is done with electric and hydraulic reels with anywhere from 2 to 40 hooks on each line. 

How To Identify: 

The Northern Red Snapper's body is very similar in shape to other snappers, such as the mangrove snapper, mutton snapper, lane snapper, and dog snapper. All feature a sloped profile, medium-to-large scales, a spiny dorsal fin, and a laterally compressed body. The Northern Red Snapper have short, sharp, needle-like teeth, but they lack the prominent upper canine teeth found on the mutton, dog, and mangrove snappers. The Northern Red Snapper reaches maturity at a length of about 39 centimetres (15 in). The common adult length is 60 centimetres (24 in) TL, but may reach 100 centimetres (39 in). The maximum published weight is 22.8 kilograms (50 lb), and the oldest reported age is 57 years. Coloration of The Northern Red Snapper is light red, with more intense pigment on the back. It has 10 dorsal spines, 14 soft dorsal rays, three anal spines and eight to 9 anal soft rays. Juvenile fish (shorter than 30–35 cm) can also have a dark spot on their sides, below the anterior soft dorsal rays, which fades with age.

How To Catch: 

The Northern Red Snapper is a hard-fighting fish that uses strong, head-shaking tactics rather than long runs. Some Northern Red Snapper  are common in fairly  shallow water, about 50 or 60 feet, permit the use of light ocean tackle, or even heavy spinning and baitcasting tackle. Much Snapper fishing, especially on long-range headboat and charterboat trips requires deep drops in strong current.This means that only very heavy rods and strong lines of 50- or 80-pound test can handle the heavy weights needed to do the job. As for baits, dead Cigar Minnows, Pilchards or cut fish and squid do a good job, although in heavily fished spots it will probably be necessary to use live small baitfish to catch snapper of a decent size.

Where Found: 

Internationally

The Northern Red Snapper is found in the Gulf of Mexico and the southeastern Atlantic coast of the United States and much less commonly northward as far as Massachusetts.

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