These tasty specimens are fish from the snapper family.  Mangrove Snapper, also known as Grey Snapper, can be caught inshore during the summer months, often mixed in with redfish, or congregating along structure in schools ranging in size from 10 to 100 fish. The orange-brown coloration helps them blend into the grass flats and mangroves where they reside.  Sharp teeth, and the fish’s tendency to chomp at the air make them a risk to a fisherman’s hands; They bite, and they bite hard.  Serrated plates over the gills present a risk when attempting to handle the fish.  Their feisty and energetic nature increases the risk of mishandling them, which often causes slices or cuts to the hand.

When fishing for mangrove snapper it can be a challenge to find a school of fish large enough to put in the cooler.  The minimum length to keep the mangos is 10 inches in state waters.  It’s possible to fish 5 different snapper spots where you catch 35 snapper, but only catch one keeper. The bigger ones are targetable in deeper water where the temperatures are cooler, places like channels, dredges, pilings, and reefs.  Despite a meager battle on a 7 foot rod with a 3000 size reel, they are worth catching.  That’s mostly because, the fish are extremely tasty, flaky fish.