A healthy Mutton Snapper caught by the author off the Florida Keys
Mutton Snapper Fishing
Lutjanus analis
HOME
Other Species
Mutton Snapper Description
Mutton Snapper are found from New England to South America but are most concentrated in South Florida and parts of the Caribbean. They sometimes are found in groups but are not really a schooling fish, with larger ones tending to be more solitary as is the case with many fish. They are found in a variety of places from inshore estuaries to offshore reefs down to a couple hundred feet. They are one of the wiliest Snappers and can be difficult to fool especially on artificial lures. When hooked, they put up a strong fight with many strong runs towards rocks. They range from a couple pounds to a little more than 20lbs. A fish in the teens is a good sized fish. They bite well at night, especially around a full moon.
Mutton Snapper feed on small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
Mutton Snapper Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 6.5 out of 10 on the Saltwater Scale
Muttons are strong fish and will put you in the rocks if you are not careful. They don't have a ton of stamina.
Mutton Snapper Culinary Rating - High
Mutton Snapper are absolutely delicious with firm white meat that can be cooked a number of ways like most Snapper.
Mutton Snapper Tackle
I would recommend a medium weight saltwater conventional setup rated 15-20lbs or so, maybe heavier if you are targeting the big ones. You could also use saltwater spinning gear. If fishing for them in nearshore estuaries then downsize your tackle. Mutton Snapper are very smart, especially in heavily fished areas, so it is adviseable to use a long leader that is as light as you feel you can get away with and not to use extra snaps or swivels or other gear. Wire leaders will severely limit the number of bites you get so they are not recommended.
Mutton Snapper Techniques
Mullet Snapper can be caught casting lures or bait in very shallow water near rockpiles near shore or bottom fishing farther offshore with bait or jigs. Chum can help bring them up off the bottom and nearer to the boat.
Mutton Snapper Lures
Mutton Snapper are tough to catch on lures and in the interest of full disclosure I have never caught one on a lure. From what I have heard they can be caught on bucktail jigs fished near the bottom and tipped with squid, shrimp, or ballyhoo. Metal jigs can sometimes work if you really know how to work them.
Mutton Snapper Baits
Live baits such as pinfish or goggle eyes work well. Fish them near the bottom. Dead baits such as ballyhoo, shrimp, or squid can also work well. Either fish them on the bottom or flyline them back in the chum slick.
Where to get the big Mutton Snapper
The Dry Tortugas islands in Florida receive light fishing pressure and are one of the best spots to target these.
Other Mutton Snapper Resources
These guys do trips to the Dry Tortugas to target the Mighty Mutton: www.majesticseascharters.com
Lutjanus analis
HOME
Other Species
Mutton Snapper Description
Mutton Snapper are found from New England to South America but are most concentrated in South Florida and parts of the Caribbean. They sometimes are found in groups but are not really a schooling fish, with larger ones tending to be more solitary as is the case with many fish. They are found in a variety of places from inshore estuaries to offshore reefs down to a couple hundred feet. They are one of the wiliest Snappers and can be difficult to fool especially on artificial lures. When hooked, they put up a strong fight with many strong runs towards rocks. They range from a couple pounds to a little more than 20lbs. A fish in the teens is a good sized fish. They bite well at night, especially around a full moon.
Mutton Snapper feed on small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
Mutton Snapper Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 6.5 out of 10 on the Saltwater Scale
Muttons are strong fish and will put you in the rocks if you are not careful. They don't have a ton of stamina.
Mutton Snapper Culinary Rating - High
Mutton Snapper are absolutely delicious with firm white meat that can be cooked a number of ways like most Snapper.
Mutton Snapper Tackle
I would recommend a medium weight saltwater conventional setup rated 15-20lbs or so, maybe heavier if you are targeting the big ones. You could also use saltwater spinning gear. If fishing for them in nearshore estuaries then downsize your tackle. Mutton Snapper are very smart, especially in heavily fished areas, so it is adviseable to use a long leader that is as light as you feel you can get away with and not to use extra snaps or swivels or other gear. Wire leaders will severely limit the number of bites you get so they are not recommended.
Mutton Snapper Techniques
Mullet Snapper can be caught casting lures or bait in very shallow water near rockpiles near shore or bottom fishing farther offshore with bait or jigs. Chum can help bring them up off the bottom and nearer to the boat.
Mutton Snapper Lures
Mutton Snapper are tough to catch on lures and in the interest of full disclosure I have never caught one on a lure. From what I have heard they can be caught on bucktail jigs fished near the bottom and tipped with squid, shrimp, or ballyhoo. Metal jigs can sometimes work if you really know how to work them.
Mutton Snapper Baits
Live baits such as pinfish or goggle eyes work well. Fish them near the bottom. Dead baits such as ballyhoo, shrimp, or squid can also work well. Either fish them on the bottom or flyline them back in the chum slick.
Where to get the big Mutton Snapper
The Dry Tortugas islands in Florida receive light fishing pressure and are one of the best spots to target these.
Other Mutton Snapper Resources
These guys do trips to the Dry Tortugas to target the Mighty Mutton: www.majesticseascharters.com
A colorful Mutton caught in Trinidad on a sardine
