Family Lutjanidae, Snappers
Lutjanus griseus

Description: color dark brown or gray with reddish or orange spots in rows along the sides; dark horizontal band from snout through eye (young only); two conspicuous canine teeth at front of upper jaw; dorsal fins have dark or reddish borders; no dark spot on side underneath dorsal fin.

Similar Fish: cubera snapper, L. cyanopterus.

Where found: juveniles inshore in bayous and grass beds; adults generally nearshore or offshore around rigs or wrecks.

Size: offshore catches common 8 to 10 pounds.

Fishing Hint: Snappers tend to congregate around some sort of structure offshore such as reefs, wrecks, and rigs. They are an opportunistic predatory fish with sharp, conical teeth. Snappers normally feed on crab, squid, shrimp, and small fish. They are generally a bottom dwelling fish and thus a heavy sinker is needed to get the bait down to them, past the triggerfish and spadefish that live in the water column above them. A lot of fishermen use squid to catch their snappers. For the bigger Snappers, try a whole fish in the 6 to 8 inch range, such as small Croakers, Mullet, and Sand Trout. They can be caught on artificial jigs also.

Note: spawns June through August; feeds on crustaceans and small fish.