Most of the 230 or so species of snapper that make up the Lutjanidae family are found in tropical seas, but a few also occur in warm-temperate waters. They are predatory fish, with sharp, conical teeth, including one or two canine teeth on either side of the front of each jaw.
These canine teeth help to distinguish the snappers from the groupers, many species of which are similar in overall appearance. Large numbers of snapper are taken in shallow coastal waters and over reefs by anglers and spearfishers, and some species are fished for commercially.
FISHING NOTES
Techniques
Cubera, mutton snapper (tambak), lane snapper (tanda), and red snapper (merah) are taken by slow bottom trolling. Cubera and mutton snapper are also brought to surface by chumming, and then taken by spinning with artificial lures. Spinning, with either artificial lures or natural baits, will take gray snapper, lane snapper and mangrove jack (mangrove jack is the most popular species by the local anglers because of its fighting ability).
Cubera, mutton snapper (tambak), lane snapper (tanda), and red snapper (merah) are taken by slow bottom trolling. Cubera and mutton snapper are also brought to surface by chumming, and then taken by spinning with artificial lures. Spinning, with either artificial lures or natural baits, will take gray snapper, lane snapper and mangrove jack (mangrove jack is the most popular species by the local anglers because of its fighting ability).
Tackle
For trolling, try a medium spinning rod with a fixed-spool reel, 6.8 to 9.1 kg (15 to 20 lb) mono line, a 30 cm (12 in) wire or heavy mono leader, and a size 2/0 hook. For spinning, use a light or medium spinning road with a multiplier reel, 6.8 to 9.1 kg (15 to 20 lb) mono line, a 30 cm (12 in) wire or heavy mono leader (use transparent mono for gray snapper), and a size 2/0 treble hook.
For trolling, try a medium spinning rod with a fixed-spool reel, 6.8 to 9.1 kg (15 to 20 lb) mono line, a 30 cm (12 in) wire or heavy mono leader, and a size 2/0 hook. For spinning, use a light or medium spinning road with a multiplier reel, 6.8 to 9.1 kg (15 to 20 lb) mono line, a 30 cm (12 in) wire or heavy mono leader (use transparent mono for gray snapper), and a size 2/0 treble hook.
Baits
Good natural baits for cubera, mutton, red, and lane snapper include shrimp and cut fish such as mullet. Artificial lures used for cubera snapper, mutton snapper, and mangrove jack include bucktails, feathers, and jigs, and plugs with a flashy, silvery finish. These often work best when fished with a jerky retrieve. The best bait to use when fishing for gray snapper/mangrove jack is live shrimp.
Good natural baits for cubera, mutton, red, and lane snapper include shrimp and cut fish such as mullet. Artificial lures used for cubera snapper, mutton snapper, and mangrove jack include bucktails, feathers, and jigs, and plugs with a flashy, silvery finish. These often work best when fished with a jerky retrieve. The best bait to use when fishing for gray snapper/mangrove jack is live shrimp.
Note: Red Snapper, Mangrove Jack & Cubera Snapper
This red snapper occurs at depths of about 37 to 183 m (120 to 600 ft), and its maximum weight is about 16 kg (35 lb). It is found easily in tropical waters. The red snappers forms large schools that swim close to the bottom over rocky ground. These schools are easily detected by sonar.
This red snapper occurs at depths of about 37 to 183 m (120 to 600 ft), and its maximum weight is about 16 kg (35 lb). It is found easily in tropical waters. The red snappers forms large schools that swim close to the bottom over rocky ground. These schools are easily detected by sonar.
The mangrove jack, also known as the silver jack, is an Indo-Pacific species, very popular in Malaysia. It inhabits coral reefs as an adult but spawns, and matures to a weight of about 4 kg (8 lb 13 oz), in mangrove estuaries (river mouth). Like most snappers, its coloration tends to vary with age, size, and habitat.
The cubera snapper or Cuban snapper occurs in the tropical west Atlantic, usually along rocky ledges, at depths of a meter or so down about to about 55 m (180 ft). Young cubera and small adults also enter estuaries and the tidal reaches of streams and freshwater canals. The cubera snapper's overall coloration ranges from grey to purple-brown, and it can grow to a length of 1.5 m (5 ft) and a weight of over 57 kg (126 lb), making it easily the largest Atlantic snapper. Small cubera are good to eat, but can cause ciguatera poisoning?.
