The author's largest Golden Snapper (Fingermark), caught on a Gulp Plastic near Ayr, Australia.
Golden Snapper (Fingermark)
Lutjanus johnii
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Golden Snapper (Fingermark) Description
Golden Snapper, also known as Fingermark or Fingermark Bream, are a tropical Snapper species found in the Indo-Pacific from East Africa to Fiji, more or less. They are a very popular food and sport fish in Australia, which is the only place I have caught them. Like most Snapper, they fight very hard for their size and are a worth adversary on medium and light tackle.
Like many inshore species, they start out in the estuaries and migrate farther out to the reefs as they mature. They are primarily an inshore fish, although they go farther offshore to spawn. They are extremely slow growing and typically do not reach sexual maturity until approximately 6-8 years. The combination of this plus their popularity as a food fish makes them vulnerable to over fishing.
Golden Snapper often suffer from barotrauma when caught from greater depths, so care needs to be taken if you are fishing deeper and plan to release them.
Golden Snapper Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 7.5 out of 10 on the Saltwater Scale
Golden Snapper, like nearly all snapper, are tough pound for pound adversaries. Like most snapper, they head for the rocks when hooked and you have to turn them away before they get there or kiss your line goodbye.
Golden Snapper Culinary Rating - High
Golden Snapper are absolutely delicious with firm white meat that can be cooked a number of ways like most Snapper.
Golden Snapper (Fingermark) Tackle
The size of tackle depends on where you are pursuing them. If you are targeting the smaller ones in shallow water with few snags, then a lighter spinning outfit in the 2000 size might be fine. You will want to up the gear a bit if there are a lot of snags around, and if you are fishing for the larger ones on the reefs you might go up to a 4000 size reel and 50lb braid.
Golden Snapper (Fingermark) Techniques
Golden Snapper are an aggressive fish and can be caught in many ways including trolling (use a deeper diving lure that swims right at their level), jigging, casting, and bottomfishing with bait.
In many areas, especially where they are heavily pressured, anglers like to target these fish at night. However, they will also bite during the day as the pictures on this page attest.
Golden Snapper (Fingermark) Lures
Golden Snapper will hit a variety of lures. Most of mine have been caught on soft plastics jigged near the bottom with leadheads. The Gulp Jerk Minnow or equivalent works well, with color being dictated by water clarity. They also hit metal jigs and hard and soft vibes jigged near the bottom.
Trolling with swimming plugs can be effective. Make sure your lure dives deep enough to run at their level.
Golden Snapper (Fingermark) Baits
Golden Snapper hit a wide variety of live and dead baits. Live squid or baitfish such as herring are good. They will also hit dead bait but live is better. If using dead bait, then use the freshest bait you can.
Where to get the big Golden Snapper (Fingermark)
Australia is a great place to catch big ones.
Other Golden Snapper (Fingermark) Resources
If you are in Australia near Queensland, this guy is the man and can put you on fish: https://www.facebook.com/Jcsfishing/
Lutjanus johnii
HOME
Other Species
Golden Snapper (Fingermark) Description
Golden Snapper, also known as Fingermark or Fingermark Bream, are a tropical Snapper species found in the Indo-Pacific from East Africa to Fiji, more or less. They are a very popular food and sport fish in Australia, which is the only place I have caught them. Like most Snapper, they fight very hard for their size and are a worth adversary on medium and light tackle.
Like many inshore species, they start out in the estuaries and migrate farther out to the reefs as they mature. They are primarily an inshore fish, although they go farther offshore to spawn. They are extremely slow growing and typically do not reach sexual maturity until approximately 6-8 years. The combination of this plus their popularity as a food fish makes them vulnerable to over fishing.
Golden Snapper often suffer from barotrauma when caught from greater depths, so care needs to be taken if you are fishing deeper and plan to release them.
Golden Snapper Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 7.5 out of 10 on the Saltwater Scale
Golden Snapper, like nearly all snapper, are tough pound for pound adversaries. Like most snapper, they head for the rocks when hooked and you have to turn them away before they get there or kiss your line goodbye.
Golden Snapper Culinary Rating - High
Golden Snapper are absolutely delicious with firm white meat that can be cooked a number of ways like most Snapper.
Golden Snapper (Fingermark) Tackle
The size of tackle depends on where you are pursuing them. If you are targeting the smaller ones in shallow water with few snags, then a lighter spinning outfit in the 2000 size might be fine. You will want to up the gear a bit if there are a lot of snags around, and if you are fishing for the larger ones on the reefs you might go up to a 4000 size reel and 50lb braid.
Golden Snapper (Fingermark) Techniques
Golden Snapper are an aggressive fish and can be caught in many ways including trolling (use a deeper diving lure that swims right at their level), jigging, casting, and bottomfishing with bait.
In many areas, especially where they are heavily pressured, anglers like to target these fish at night. However, they will also bite during the day as the pictures on this page attest.
Golden Snapper (Fingermark) Lures
Golden Snapper will hit a variety of lures. Most of mine have been caught on soft plastics jigged near the bottom with leadheads. The Gulp Jerk Minnow or equivalent works well, with color being dictated by water clarity. They also hit metal jigs and hard and soft vibes jigged near the bottom.
Trolling with swimming plugs can be effective. Make sure your lure dives deep enough to run at their level.
Golden Snapper (Fingermark) Baits
Golden Snapper hit a wide variety of live and dead baits. Live squid or baitfish such as herring are good. They will also hit dead bait but live is better. If using dead bait, then use the freshest bait you can.
Where to get the big Golden Snapper (Fingermark)
Australia is a great place to catch big ones.
Other Golden Snapper (Fingermark) Resources
If you are in Australia near Queensland, this guy is the man and can put you on fish: https://www.facebook.com/Jcsfishing/
An average size Golden Snapper (Fingermark) taken while bottom fishing.
This healthy Golden Snapper (Fingermark) fell for a soft plastic cast and retrieved near an inshore reef.
This Golden Snapper (Fingermark) was caught near the mouth of a river near Ayr, Australia.