There is a new amendment that becomes effective 4/1/08 – ( 68B-14.0035 ) regarding size limits for Amberjacks, Black Sea Bass, Gray Triggerfish, Grouper, Hogfish, Red Porgy and Snapper.  

The purpose of the amendment seems to be an attempt to clarify the Commission’s Reef Fish rules, making it consistent with federal reef fish regulations for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico – and additionally to try to remedy the problem of overfishing the species, by modifying the bag limits.

As far as our favorite Yellowtail Snappers go, the rule appears unchanged (12”). To find out more about this amendment just visit this link –

http://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleno.asp?id=68B-14.0035&PDate=1/4/2008&Section=2

Remember that the daily bag limit is 10 snapper per harvester, per day. Also, a good rule to fish by is that if you feel the need to measure the fish, it may be better just to send it back into the water.  Too many people keeping such small fish = overfishing.  

Some Yellowtail Snapper fishing tips - chum, lots of chum! To keep it flowing, use two bags - one on each side of the transom - menhaden chum works fine. We also like to add an occasional box of silversides or glass minnows - that can really spark them up!

Following are a few easy tips for catching Yellowtail Snapper in the Keys. It is not too complicated to catch this abundant species of snapper. You may have to make minor adjustments in technique depending on the weather, or time of day, but they are one of the easiest fish to catch and great to eat.  

One of the most important things for catching yellowtail snapper is the chumming. One chum bag is good, two are even better for keeping a steady flow. Many yellowtail anglers like to use rolled oats mixed with sand in addition to the ground chum, which helps to cloud up the water (when it is clear). The rolled oats are usually soaked in water for one to two days before using. The mixture is either ladled into the water at regular intervals in addition to the chum, or formed into a ball and sent out with the line, by wrapping some line around the ball a couple of times. Using the oats is not a must, but sometimes it helps. Very often, you can be just as successful by keeping enough chum flowing.

To help hide the fishing line from these keen eyed snapper, 12-20 lb. test clear monofilament line with 10-15′ of fluorocarbon leader of the same test will work well.  Attach the fluorocarbon leader directly to the main line using the blood knot or the uni-knot – don’t use swivels. Various types of bait work, from live (or dead) shrimp, to strips of ballyhoo. You may need to vary the amount of weight used, depending on weather and current conditions - sometimes just using a lightweight jig is all you need. Yellowtails seem to be attracted to the little fluorescent yellow or green jigheads. On a good day though, a no. 4 hook and shrimp may be all you need!

When fishing, try to remember to keep slack in the line, letting it out without any resistance and with about the same speed as the current, keeping your bait in the middle of the chum slick. When the yellowtail bites, the line will come off quickly - just let the fish run a few seconds, before closing the bail and reeling.

More fishing tips to be added - bookmark this site and check back soon!