Grayish-red to brownish snapper with a reddish tinge and sharp canine teeth; wary and sharp-eyed. Jetty fish are often 0.5-2 lb, offshore reef fish 3-10+ lb.
⚖ Texas & federal limits Bag, size and season rules apply — several offshore species run on federal seasons that open and close by the year. Check the current TPWD Outdoor Annual →.
On the water
WhenLate spring through fall; a summer staple on the jetties and around nearshore rigs, feeding best in low light and moving water.WhereJetty rocks, channel structure, platforms, wrecks, and reefs from the jetties out to the offshore banks; holds tight to hard structure and shade.HowFish light and stealthy: freeline or lightly weight a live shrimp or small baitfish tight to the rocks or rig legs, with as little leader and hardware as you can get away with. Chum to fire them up.BehaviorStructure-bound, cautious predator that ambushes shrimp, crabs, and baitfish around rock and reef - notoriously line-shy, which is half the challenge.The fightA fast, powerful dash straight back to structure - stop that first run or you're cut off.
Baits that work
Live/dead shrimp
Live pinfish, cigar minnows, and small croaker
Cut squid and cut bait
Small jigs
Tackle
Rod & reelMedium 7 ft spinning or conventionalLine20-30 lb braidLeader20-30 lb fluoro (drop lighter when they're shy)Terminal1/0-3/0RigKnocker or freeline rig
The bait clock
☀ DawnLive shrimp freelined to the rocks
Low light makes wary fish less leader-shy.
☼ MiddayLive bait tight to structure, light leader
Mangrove (gray) snapper: gray-bronze, often a dark stripe through the eye, no lateral spot, canines up front. Lane: pink with yellow stripes and a black spot above the lateral line.
Handling & releaseJetty fish handle fine; deeper reef fish can show barotrauma - use a descending device or venting tool to release them. Mind the canine teeth.On the tableWhite, mild, sweet - a top-tier eating snapper.As baitNo - fine table fish.
