The Daily Catch | January 22, 2023

Lane snapper have been extremely abundant in nearshore waters recently, with sightings of lane snapper activity at various depths both nearshore and offshore. Notably, their average size has increased significantly, and the areas where they can be caught have expanded. While cut squid and live shrimp are effective bait, lane snapper are known to bite on almost anything.

Red grouper have also been active in nearshore and offshore waters, particularly in depths ranging from 50 to 80 feet. Although red grouper can be caught in shallower waters, they are typically undersized and require significant effort to catch a keeper. However, keeper-sized red grouper have been caught as shallow as 40 feet of water, but these are rarer occurrences. Beyond 100 feet of water, red grouper activity increases significantly in offshore waters.

Mangrove snapper have been biting consistently in the deepest nearshore waters, with sightings as shallow as 50 to 60 feet of water. Anglers targeting hogfish using live shrimp for bait have also been successful in catching mangrove snapper. We’ve also caught strawberry grouper, gag grouper (although they are out of season, still fun to catch!) vermilion snapper, grunt and porgy.