Mahogany Snapper

Mahogany snappers (Lutjanus mahogoni) are very popular with sport anglers targeting medium-sized fish and can be an important commercial species in some locations. They sport a typically snapper body shape: oval, slightly compressed and with a large mouth at its pointed snout. The species is silvery but often with a deep reddish tint on its fins and back leading to its common name. Mahogany snappers have a distinctive dark “eye-spot” on the lateral line below the posterior dorsal fin. The mouth contains many medium-sized sharp teeth and the eyes are large. There’s not much difference between the sexes in appearance. Mahogany snappers can attain 48 cm. (19 in.) but they are more common around 38 cm. (15 in.), the usual mass being between 0.5 and 1.3 kg. (1-3 lbs.). These snappers feed mostly near the ocean floor on shrimps, crabs, octopus, squid and small fish. During daylight they often congregate in shoals and then, after dark, spread out to hunt food. Mahogany snappers mature at about 18-20 cm. (7-8 in.) and spawn from May to July communally in the water column. There are no major migrations and fish of all sizes are found in the same localities.

Mahogany snappers can be numerous, and their flesh is pleasantly favoured, so it makes absolute sense to pursue them purposefully. They are most easily targeted from small boats or kayaks, drifting over reefs and wrecks, and using light, bass fishing class spinning tackle. Shore or jetty fishing can, however, also produce good results as the species is not particularly large or strong and so can usually be kept from escaping into deep cover or structure. Live or dead natural baits are popular but, increasingly, small plastics and jigs are being used. Small live bait can be very effective as a wriggling food item dropped into a shoal of snapper often elicits an immediate attack by several fish. Live shrimp or fish are excellent but, failing this, cut fillets of fish or squid work well. As the water is usually shallow a bait cast out above a shoal, without a weight, can work well. Alternatively, you can drop the bait from a boat into a shoal using a small weight. In deeper waters, jigging just above the substrate using brightly coloured hard or soft lures can produce good results. Mahogany snappers are not huge, particularly strong or cunning, but they are an excellent and fun species for new anglers.