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