The Lane Snapper
May 05, 2013
By Florida Sportsman Editor
The Lane Snapper, Lutjanus synagris
Superficially similar to small Mutton Snapper, with which it may be confused. However, the Lane Snapper, in addition to its rosy hues, also has broken yellow bars along the sides, and its fins are mostly yellow.The single black spot on the side is larger, proportionately, than that of the Mutton. The anal fin is rounded.
SIZE
Most run well under 1 pound. Occasionally caught to 5 pounds in deep water. World record 8 pounds, 3 ounces. Florida record 6 pounds, 6 ounces.
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FOOD VALUE
Very good, but flesh is soft and must be kept well iced.
GAME QUALITIES
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An aggressive striker of both natural and artificial baits, the Lane is fun to catch but is not a particularly strong fighter, even for its size.
TACKLE AND BAITS
Only very light tackle provides much sport. Productive baits include live and dead shrimp and also strips of cut squid or cut fish. Small jigs worked slowly near bottom are deadly.
FISHING SYSTEMS
Still Fishing; Casting; Drifting.
OTHER NAMES
Spot Snapper Candy Snapper Biajaiba
RANGE
Found off all coasts of Florida.
HABITAT
Most are caught in fairly deep reef and offshore waters, but in the southern half of the state, they also inhabit nearshore areas, and even bays. During times of warm water, they may come close to shore in the northern sectors as well. Prefers broken or grassy bottom to hard reefs.
Lane & Mangorve Snapper Florida Sportsman Forum Member Lucky_Lane shows off his catch of Lane and Mangrove Snapper after fishing offshore in Stuart using live and dead shrimp along with pilchards as well.
Big Lane Snapper This large lane snapper was caught by FS member K9 1 Time on the Middle Grounds.
Lane Snapper Florida Sportsman member nfairbank with a nice lane snapper caught on an overnight trip out of Venice.
Jupiter Lanes Florida Sportsman member LastMango worked the bottom in 65-75 feet off Jupiter to catch these lane snapper.
