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