State and Federal Waters
1-18-2014
written by Capt. Doug Stanford
Snapper fishing can be a great time for anybody .It does not require a lot of tackle .
The first thing you need to know is the regulations you must follow. You must use a circle hook for snapper in federal waters or state waters of Texas. I usually go with a 7/0 to 10/0 circle hook. If i am fishing State waters i will go with a 7/0 hook . The state water snapper will be smaller than the ones in federal waters . In State waters we are allowed to keep 4 fish per person 15" or greater. They must be measured overall from mouth to tip of the tail . There is no closed season in Texas State Waters . The state waters of Texas extend 9.2 nautical miles from the shore . Or about 75 ' deep. Anything past that is Federal waters .
In Federal waters you can only keep 2 fish 16" or greater measured from the tip of mouth to the inside fork of the tail . The season varies and usually only lasts 40 days This is a link to get the most up to date federal regulations:
..http://http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_fisheries/reef_fish/2013/rs_2014_rec/
Currently :
Federal waters of the Gulf will open to red snapper recreational harvest at 12:01 a.m., June 1, 2014, and close at 12:01 a.m., July 11, 2014.
With that said . My favorite fishing rig for snapper is a double drop with the weight on the bottom . I start with a black 150# swivel tie 100# to 200# mono leader 6' long with a palomar knot . Then drop down 18" and make a surgeon's loop 6". Drop down and tie another 6" surgeon's loop . At the bottom I will tie another surgeon's loop. Tie your fishing line to the swivel .Then take your surgeon's loop and pass it through the eye of your hook go around the shank of the hook 2 times then pull loop tight . Repeat for the next loop down . The bottom loop pass the loop through the eye of a bell sinker and loop it back 1 time . Pull tight on weight to set the line.
I like to use a 5 to '6' medium heavy rod with a Penn 4/0 reel . Spooled with 50# Trilene Big Game green line . Yes it is more fun to use lighter tackle but these fish will pull you into the structure and break off .
The bait varies Squid is messy and will stay on your hook longer . It is not always the best bait .Shrimp will catch them the easiest but will come off quicker. Sardines,cigar minnows and menhaden work well but will come off easily . Live perch catchers the bigger ones but will not get as many bites .
I will use 4 oz to 8 oz weight but it will vary with the current. When dropping down keep a watch on your line as it descends . Often the fish will be holding half way down to all the way on the bottom . These are reef fish and love to be near structure ,whether it is a oil rig ,wreck or manmade reef .Please keep only the first legal fish .Do not cull .When bringing these fish up from deep water they will expand and cannot go back down quickly. You are required by law to deflate these fish before releasing. Do not cull .
Always check the weather before going off shore and have a good working condition VHF radio. Good Luck tight lines and screaming drags .
.http://http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_fisheries/reef_fish/2013/rs_2014_rec/
Currently Federal waters of the Gulf will open to red snapper recreational harvest at 12:01 a.m., June 1, 2014, and close at 12:01 a.m., July 11, 2014.
