{"id":13260,"date":"2018-01-12T06:59:43","date_gmt":"2018-01-12T12:59:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/?p=13260"},"modified":"2025-06-07T19:25:37","modified_gmt":"2025-06-08T00:25:37","slug":"captiva-fishing-snapper-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/?p=13260","title":{"rendered":"Captiva Fishing, Snapper!"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Snapper,<\/a>
Snapper, Warmer, Near Offshore Structure, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Thursday, January 11, 2018.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, January\u00a0 11, 2018: Snapper.<\/h2>\n

\"CaptivaRentals.org:<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Captiva Fishing Report, Thursday, January 11: Snapper, Near Offshore Structure, Warmer, Catch & Release;\u00a0Red Tide Report<\/a> <\/strong>(Caloosahatchee freshwater runoff impact continuing to lessen a bit; some Red Tide but it is broken up and largely dispersed); more fishing reports from other areas and Captains below.<\/p>\n

Thursday, January 11: Snapper, Structure, Catch & Release, Warming Up – Less Worried About The Snook. Looks like we will be okay.<\/p>\n

Please also visit the\u00a0Sanibel<\/a>,\u00a0Fort Myers<\/a>,\u00a0Florida Fishing Report<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Cuban Fishing<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>sites.\u00a0 <\/strong>Better water moving north of Sanibel up through Captiva & North Captiva.<\/p>\n

Please click here to\u00a0Book A Charter<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or call\u00a0239-472-8658 <\/strong>and here for\u00a0Live Sanibel Traffic Cams<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

\"Schoolmaster<\/a>
Schoolmaster Snapper, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Thursday, January 11, 2018, [File Photo – Thursday, December 28, 2017].<\/figcaption><\/figure>“The\u00a0schoolmaster snapper<\/b>\u00a0(Lutjanus apodus<\/i>) is a colorful, subtropical fish found over coral reef areas along the coasts of\u00a0Florida<\/a>, the\u00a0Bahamas<\/a>, and the\u00a0Caribbean<\/a>, though it can range northward along the Atlantic coast of the United States.[1]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0Adults are 12\u201314 in (30\u201335 cm) long and weigh 1.0\u20132.0 lb (0.4\u20130.8 kg), though rare individuals can weigh 8 lb at 24 in long.<\/p>\n
\"Mutton<\/a>
Mutton Snapper, Offshore, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Wednesday, December 20, 2017.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It has a robust, slightly compressed body, with a pointed head. Its color varies from silvery to bronze. Fins and tails are yellow and the snout contains blue stripes. As the common name suggests, schoolmaster snapper live in groups of dozens of subjects. They keep a short distance from the seafloor at depths between 10 and 90 ft, prefer the cover provided by coral reefs during the day, and expand their range to seagrass beds at night. The schoolmaster snapper is sometimes called the\u00a0barred snapper<\/b>\u00a0or the\u00a0caji<\/b><\/i>. Like other snapper species, it is a popular food fish.<\/p>\n

\"Mangrove<\/a>
Mangrove snapper, 7-17-14, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The schoolmaster snapper is found in coastal areas of Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. It lives in shallow, clear, warm, coastal waters over coral reefs, sand with plants, and mud in mangrove areas or other reef-associated bottom types. Juveniles stay over sand bottoms with or without seagrasses, and over muddy bottoms of lagoons or mangrove areas. The young tend to be in littoral (shore) areas, grass plains and from time to time enter briny waters. They may be seen resting in accumulations during the day. The groups of juveniles in shallow coastal waters, as they grow, move into deeper and deeper water. Large schools are often noticed by divers over shallow wrecks and certain coral patches, and this behavior inspired the common name.<\/p>\n

\"French<\/a>
French Snapper or Grunt, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Adults usually stay near shore at depths ranging from 0 to 200 ft (2\u201360 m) and shelter around\u00a0elkhorn<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0gorgonian<\/a>\u00a0coral. Large adults are sometimes found on the continental shelf. Typical depths are up to 12 ft (4 m).[2]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0reported that at night, schoolmaster snapper may increase their range to twice the daytime range, mostly by visiting seagrass beds.<\/p>\n

\"Snapper,<\/a>
Snapper, 9-12-14, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing & Fort Myers Fishing Charters & Guide Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The schoolmaster snapper has a husky, moderately deep body with a pointed head. Its thickness can be more than a third of its\u00a0standard length<\/a>. The head is large, and as long as the body is thick; the representation is straight from snout to the backside, and regularly curved to the large, unforked tail. Its triangular snout is long and pointed, with a large mouth. One of the upper pairs of canine teeth is clearly larger than back teeth in the lower jaw and can be seen when the mouth is closed. There are 40 to 45, usually 42 to 44, tubed scales in the lateral line. The interior scale rows on the back are parallel to lateral line.<\/p>\n

\"Mangrove<\/a>
Mangrove snapper, 7-18-14, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The soft\u00a0dorsal<\/a>\u00a0and anal fins have scales. The single dorsal fin has 10 spines and 14 soft rays; the spiny portions of the fin are not deeply engraved at the junction with the soft portion. The anal fin has three spines and eight soft rays that are rounded from the tail. The caudal fin is emarginated. The 16 or 17 rays of the pectoral fins are longer than the distance from the longest point of the snout to tail edge of preopercle, reaching the level of anus.<\/p>\n

\"Mutton<\/a>
Mutton Snapper, Cayo Costa, 10-31-14, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing & Fort Myers Fishing Charters & Guide Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The color is olive gray to brownish on upper back and upper sides, with yellow to reddish mite around the head. The lower sides and belly are lighter; there is no dark lateral spot below the anterior part of the soft dorsal fin. There are 8 narrow, light vertical bars on the side of the body which may be faded or absent in large adults. A solid or broken blue line runs beneath the eye; it may also disappear with growth. From the upper jaw to the tip of the fleshy opercle, the line is often broken into parts that resemble dashes and spots. The fin and tail is bright yellow, yellow-green, or pale orange, and the snout contains blue stripes.<\/p>\n

\"Snapper,<\/a>
Snapper, 4-1-14, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rooker reported the diet of small\u00a0L. apodus<\/i>\u00a0(<70 mm) consisted of crustaceans (more than 90%), specifically amphipods and crabs. Larger schoolmaster snapper preferred smaller fish (more than 50% by weight) and also ate crabs, shrimp, and stomatopods. He attributed the difference in eating habits to the fact that the bigger fish could open their jaws wider for bigger prey.[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Schoolmaster snapper are\u00a0gonochorist<\/a>, meaning males and females are separate. They spawn over most of the year, with the majority of the spawning happening during middle to late summer. They spawn during April\u2013June off Cuba. They reproduce by spawning in open water with both male and female fish releasing their gametes at the same time. The fertilized eggs then settle to the bottom, where they are left unguarded.<\/p>\n

\"French<\/a>
French Snapper, 3-23-14, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Most mature schoolmaster snapper average a pound (0.4 kg) or less in shallow water. Big individuals on the deep reefs may reach six or seven pounds. They can grow up to 8 lb and 24 in (62 cm) long, but individuals 12\u201314 inches (35 cm) long are more commonly observed.<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Weight: length relationship for schoolmaster snapper\u00a0L. apodus<\/i>[4]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

As fish grow longer, they increase in weight, but the relationship is not linear. The relationship between length (L) and weight (W) for nearly all species of fish can be expressed by an equation of the form:\u00a0\"W=cL^{b}!,\"<\/p>\n

Invariably, b is close to 3.0 for all species, and c varies between species. A weight-length relationship based on 100 schoolmaster snapper ranging in length from 2 to 7 in (50 mm to 180 mm) found the coefficient c was 0.000050015 and the exponent b was 2.9107. This relationship suggests a 12.5-inch schoolmaster snapper (320 mm) will weigh about 2.2 lb (1 kg).[4]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

\"Snapper,<\/a>
Snapper, Floyd, 12-1-14, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing & Fort Myers Fishing Charters & Guide Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Schoolmaster snapper, along with other snapper species, are sought by both recreational and commercial fishermen. Their food quality is reported to be excellent.<\/p>\n

Fishing regulations in US state waters are specific to each state, but they have similarities. For example, the minimum length in Florida for schoolmaster snapper is 10 in (about 25 cm) total length with a catch limit of 10 per fisherman per day. However, the 10-fish limit is an aggregate for all species of snapper.[5]<\/a><\/sup>Louisiana and South Carolina have similar limits except the minimum length is 12 in (about 30 cm) total length, and non-stainless steel circle hooks and natural bait are required.[6]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0These regulations are consistent with current US guidelines for schoolmaster snapper caught in federal waters.[7]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0The guidelines change from time to time. In certain marine protected areas,[8]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0fishing is not allowed to help specific species maintain or recover healthy populations.<\/p>\n

\"Grouper<\/a>
Grouper & Snapper, 1-1-15, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing & Fort Myers Fishing Charters & Guide Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Light spinning and baitcasting tackle are used to fish for schoolmaster snapper. Live shrimp and baitfish, as well as shrimp pieces and cut bait, are the best natural bait. While jigs make for the best artificial bait, artificials are rarely used and rarely successful.<\/p>\n

Larger schoolmaster snapper whose white vertical bars are faded might be mistaken for dog snapper. The schoolmaster, however, does not have the white cone-shaped patch on the gill that identifies the dog snapper. Though different in appearance, schoolmaster snapper have habits similar to those of the\u00a0mangrove snapper<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Please see more information here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Snapper,<\/a>
Snapper, 2-8-15, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing & Fort Myers Fishing Charters & Guide Service.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Please click here to\u00a0Book A Charter<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or call\u00a0239-472-8658 <\/strong>and here for\u00a0Live Sanibel Traffic Cams<\/a>. <\/strong>\u00a0Redfish, Click\u00a0here for\u00a0College Of Fishing\u00a0Hats & Apparel<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re located in Castaways Marina, Santiva, Sanibel Island, just before the Blind Pass bridge to Captiva Island.<\/p>\n

\"Snapper<\/a>
Snapper 3, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Thursday, 7-23-15 ~ #Sanibel #Captiva.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a fierce storm, Turner Beach, the beach adjoining the Pass, is frequently covered with a bounty of shells from Olives to Fighting Whelks to the more common Conchs. The fishing is also renowned for sharks in the summer, tailing redfish on the bayside flats and snook under and off the Blind Pass bridge. Because Turner Beach faces Westward, the sunsets are spectacular and a popular viewing point for residents and visitors alike.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\"Bradley,<\/a>
Bradley, Big Snapper, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Friday, 1-22-16 ~ #Sanibel #Captiva.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And you can like us on\u00a0Facebook<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Fair winds and following seas,<\/p>\n

Captain Joey Burnsed ~\u00a0please click calendar<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0at the upper left\u00a0or call\u00a0239-472-8658<\/strong>\u00a0to book a Sanibel & Captiva Islands, Boca Grande or Fort Myers fishing guide trip or shelling charter.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\"Snapper,<\/a>
Snapper, Jean, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Saturday, 1-30-16 ~ #Sanibel #Captiva.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, January\u00a0 11, 2018: Snapper. Captiva Fishing Report, Thursday, January 11: Snapper, Near Offshore Structure, Warmer, Catch & Release;\u00a0Red Tide Report (Caloosahatchee freshwater runoff impact continuing to lessen a bit; some Red Tide but it is broken up and largely dispersed); more fishing reports from other areas and Captains below. Thursday, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13261,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13260","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","post_format-post-format-image"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13260","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13260"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13260\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19942,"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13260\/revisions\/19942"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13261"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13260"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13260"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/captivafishing.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13260"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}