| Snappers are found in the tropical and | | | | the chum so that they will feed on the bait |
| subtropical regions of all the oceans. One of | | | | of your hook. |
| the most popular and best eating of the | | | | |
| snapper species, the yellowtail snapper | | | | Sandball for Yellowtails & Flat Lining - |
| ranges as far north as the Treasure Coast but | | | | Filet your ballyhoo & squid & then cut them |
| are in their greatest abundance in the | | | | into strips. Then mix your chum & sand for |
| Bahamas and the Florida Keys. During days | | | | sandballs - 60% sand & 40% chum. Make sure |
| around the full moon, you will probably have | | | | your chum is oily. Always add the chum to the |
| excellent catches of the mutton snappers. | | | | sand. Mix chum until there are no dry areas. |
| | | | Mixing some oats into the sand/chum will help |
| Yellowtail snapper is one of the best eating | | | | you catch more yellowtail. |
| fish in the entire tropical roster of fish | | | | |
| only eclipsed by the pricey yellowfin tuna | | | | Put the hooked ballyhoo bait into the middle |
| steaks. The small size of the fish adds only | | | | of a sandball. Wrap your line around the |
| to its succulent taste. Typical catches of | | | | sandball & then throw your bait out into the |
| yellowtail range from the 10-12 lb size. This | | | | chum slick. Let the line feed out as the |
| fish is so versatile that it can be cooked in | | | | current goes until you feel the fish strike |
| any number of ways with any number of sauces | | | | the line & pull on your bait. |
| & still come out superbly delicious. | | | | |
| | | | Fishing Tackle - Use the smallest hooks, 1/0 |
| Yellowtails are characterized by its yellow | | | | or smaller, you can find & small conventional |
| mid body stripe that extends into its yellow | | | | reels. Shimano 10 lb spinners for fighting |
| tail, the sleek and abundant yellowtail | | | | those yellowtail, so everyone gets to enjoy |
| snapper swims in loose groups well off the | | | | the challenge. We also recommend bright |
| bottom. There is a 12-inch minimum size limit | | | | colored jigs to attract the fish. |
| and 10 snapper aggregate bag limit. June will | | | | |
| be a good time, weather permitting, for night | | | | 12- 15 lb test is the best for these fish. |
| offshore fishing for mangrove, lane and | | | | Use a pink line so that the fish cannot see |
| yellowtail snapper. | | | | the line in the water. A #4 hook up to a 1/0 |
| | | | and a 1/8 oz weight will be best on your rig |
| Bait for Yellowtail Snappers - Weighted live | | | | for flat lining or sandballing. |
| bait will produce grouper & mutton snapper | | | | |
| sometimes following in the chum slick. | | | | Finding Yellowtail - Look for a sharp drop |
| Depending on the time of year you might also | | | | off on the edge of the reef. This is where |
| catch Kingfish and Cero Mackerel. Use Live | | | | you will find small stacks of fish & plenty |
| Ballyhoo whenever possible. | | | | of bottom life to support the bait fish. Your |
| | | | Loran or GPS will tell you where the best |
| When yellowtails pull drag on 20 pound spin | | | | drop offs are. |
| tackle, you know you have a good yellowtail | | | | |
| on. Cut pieces of squid, small pilchards and | | | | Conclusion |
| even live shrimp are productive baits for | | | | |
| yellowtail snapper. Sardines, silverside and | | | | Swordfish, Marlin, Sailfish, Dolphin, Cobia, |
| glass minnows will also work well. | | | | Wahoo, Tuna and Kingfish are just a few of |
| | | | the species we catch off the Southeast |
| You'll also need frozen chum to put in bags | | | | Florida Coast. We catch Most of our dolphin |
| to chum up the water behind the boat. Chum up | | | | while fishing for Tuna. Whether gunning for |
| the water heavy at first. When you start to | | | | tuna, marlin or dolphin, Fish 'em all with |
| get a good bite of yellowtail, ease off on | | | | Live Bait!! |