The recreational season for American red snapper closes at midnight Oct.31. Most of the consistent action will be found in waters deeper than 135 feet. You can locate them around structures such as wrecks, ledges and springs.

They also can be in depressions or humps in areas with shrimp. Many times, they will be suspended in the water column instead of hugging the bottom.

Red snapper will bite anything from live pinfish to dead sardines. One of the top producers is a 4-ounce white nylon jig tipped with a sardine.

A 4/0 grouper outfit with a 50-pound test will work. When using live or dead baits, a 13/0 circle hook is a great choice.

When a big one bites, the fight usually lasts all the way to the surface. However, they are one of the tastiest fish found in the Gulf. They are outstanding grilled and hard to beat either broiled or pan sauted in butter and garlic.

The minimum size is 16 inches with a bag limit of four per person. Most of the fish we have caught are heavier than 6 pounds with the larger ones running up to 16 pounds.

-- Tom Turke charters The Mixed Bag out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 854-5779.

Back to Sports

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright

From the Times sports desk

Bucs
Bucs to use week to heal

Titans D may force Bucs to think big

Lightning
Defeat leads to anger

Devil Rays
Spring swoon gives way to autumn surge

LaMar pleased at second half

College football
Amazing: The making of Wide Right

Close calls

Practice reports

UCF to C-USA: Take that!

Baseball playoffs
Seattle: Success story

AL notebook

NL notebook

On the air
On the hunt for Fox Family

NFL
Rams remain unbeaten with ease

Motorsports
For Gordon, safety is the priority

Outdoors
Daily fishing report

Preps
Girls get more than a kick from football

Bulldogs romp on quick TDs

Palm Harbor U. builds powerhouse

From the wire

From the state sports wire Jacksonville's Spicer placed on IR after leg surgery
FIU-Western Kentucky game postponed because of Jeanne
Brown anxious to face old team for first time
Dolphins' desperate defense readies for Roethlisberger
Former Sarasota lineman sheds tough-guy image with Michigan
Rothstein rejoins Heat as assistant
No. 16 Florida has history on its side against Kentucky
FSU and Clemson QBs both off to slow starts