![]() ![]() Another popular snorkeling destination is on the south side of Key West Marine Park. They are caught year round and are known for their white and flaky fillets. Here, you will find an abundance of both yellow goatfish and yellowtail snapper. Yellowtail snapper is a one of the largest commercial fisheries in the Keys. The islet is marked by an iron lighthouse and offers over 10 miles of coral reefs and marine life. Sand Key is one of the most popular snorkeling destinations. Key West’s most pristine reefs and largest reefs are just several miles off shore. When snorkeling in Key West, both of these species can be found hovering in schools over the reefs. Fished commercially, the yellowtail snapper has been part of the Southern diet for decades, if not centuries. It lives as far north as Massachusetts, though that is rare, and as far south as Brazil, but is concentrated around Florida and the Bahamas. ![]() When the ocean sand is disturbed, many other fish swoop in to feed on the algae present in the cloud. The yellowtail snapper, or Ocyurus chrysurus, is a fish commonly found in Atlantic waters. It creates a sediment cloud that actually feeds many other fish. The yellow goatfish use their barbels in a foraging technique. The yellowtail snapper feeds on worms, crabs, cephalopods, shrimp and gamete, while the yellow goatfish prey on buried invertebrates. These two species also have different feeding habits. In addition, the yellow snapper has a deeply forked tail. Although both feature sleek silvery bodies with yellow strips, the yellow goatfish features barbels or whiskers under the chin, and the yellow snapper does not. Because of their similar coloration, it’s not uncommon for snorkelers, anglers and scuba divers to confuse the two. Snapper fishing is a lot of fun, especially for those looking for light tackle fishing charters in Miami.The reefs in Key West are alive with colorful yellow goatfish and yellowtail snapper. Yellowtailing is not a catch and release fishery, as they have delicious white fillets that never go to waste. Yellowtail Snapper range from 12" to 5lbs, with average fish ranging from 1-2lb range. ![]() The best snapper fishing is usually enjoyed during summer. If there is a strong current, jig heads or split shots can be employed to get baits down to the strike zone. Their name comes from a yellow line that. Small pilchards, chunks of bonito, or silversides are the best baits but just about anything will work if they are chummed up. The deep fork of their caudal fin helps them swim quickly through the water. Yellowtail can be caught during the day as well, though they are much more aggressive at night. The largest snapper shy away from poorly presented baits. We use small hooks, jigheads, and light leader (20lb test) for the best action from finicky fish. Best Rigs and Bait for Yellowtail Snapper if it's light, the deeper range is usually your best bet. If the current is ripping, we prefer going a little shallower. This way you can move around depending on the current. It definitely helps to have a handful of different spots in the 40-90 foot depth. The chum brings in the fish and the oats cloud the water which can the tails bite even when it's crystal clear.Ĭurrent helps for this fishery so the chum successfully flows away from the boat and disperses across the reef. We give the mixture ample time to melt, add water, and when we get to the spot we like to ladle it out every minute or so. We like to use a mixture of oats and chum in a 30 gallon garbage can. Chum gets the snapper frenzied enough to sit right off the stern of the boat (even in 100+ ft depths). Chum is the key to yellowtail snapper fishing in Miami. They can be targeted with light tackle by free lining small baits back into the chum slick. After anchoring, yellowtail are brought up from the bottom with an obscene amount of chum. Schools of yellowtail snapper roam reefs and wrecks from 15' out to 130' in large schools. Best Technique: Heavy Chumming the reefs. ![]()
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