How To Catch MUTTON SNAPPER the easiest way RIG, BAIT, DRIFT FISHING BASICS & TACTICS

In this short seminar, I go over what I consider to be the easiest way to catch Mutton Snapper. I go over detail how to fish for them, where to find them, and what to fish with on order to catch Mutton Snapper. A prized catch when deep sea fishing. The advice and tips in this video have been gathered through years of experience, and are shared to help you catch more fish. I go over what I consider to be the most productive technique, drift fishing with a mutton rig, along with the best bait to use, and advice on where to target them.
Ever wanted to go out and catch Mutton Snapper, but you didn't even know how to get started? what to look for? How to get into the bite and have some fun? Or maybe you're just looking for some inside info or a different perspective... Then this episode's definitely for you.
Enjoy ;)
Tight lines & good vibes.
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[@Mike_44]

Great detailed tips! Your channel is so underrated, deserves more views. Thanks for another awesome tutorial.

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a million for watching and leaving some stellar feedback. I truly appreciate the compliment and your support for the channel. Makes all the endless nights and effort 100% worthwhile. Really can't thank you enough. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@mariop.2758]

@@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing god bless you..

[@krzyhrsefla]

Super job on the step by step instructions!!!! Nothing like the cheers on the boat when a Mutton emerges from the depths.

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a boat for watching another one. Oh yeah, big muttons always make big smiles.... they always surprise everyone. Thanks again for being a great supporter of the channel. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@cl89521]

Great info once again! Thanks Heath!

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a million for watching and always being here. I truly appreciate your support and can't thank you enough. Makes all those sleepless nights and endless effort completely worthwhile. Thanks again for everything. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@johnharrison5615]

Fantastic content. Plan to give it a try tomorrow. Thanks, Heath!

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a million for watching and leaving some great feedback. Glad you have faith in my info. Hope it works out for the best for you. Always a pleasure hearing from you and having your support for the channel. Good luck on your fishing trip. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@ronmelton9706]

Great info Heath.... thanks for sharing!

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a million for watching and leaving some excellent feedback. Always great to hear from you and have your support for the channel. Can't thank you enough for always being here. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@remax5starrealty-dadebrowastua]

Great video! Thank you

[@jasonnguyen5150]

Another great video!

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a million for watching and leaving some great feedback. I truly appreciate it and the support for the channel. Makes all the effort completely worthwhile. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@rob2388]

Thank you sir!

[@EC-jk4wv]

Most informative videos on the net. Headed to Islamorada next weekend to try technique.

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a million for watching and leaving a great comment. Good luck on your fishing trip. This tactic will definitely help increase your hook up ratio. Thanks agin for your support of the channel. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@josecapablanca2351]

Great job Heath. I always enjoy getting your perspective and your tricks of the trade. I normally use ballyhoo plugs or live but I'll try the Spanish sardines. Good luck

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a boat load for watching and leaving some excellent feedback. Always a pleasure to hear from your and have your support for the channel. I truly appreciate you always being here. Any natural bait works good.... bonito plug, ballyhoo, speedo, threadfin.... but I find the frozen sardines to be most effective. It's a personal preference, something else may work better for other folks. Thanks for having trust in me. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@iamremy-kl3xm]

Great tips thanks for sharing 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a boat load for being the enthusiastic runner up. Your longtime support for the channel is most excellent and is truly appreciated. It's what keeps me going. I can't thank you enough. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@stevencooper5283]

Great video! 👍🏾

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a million for watching and leaving some great feedback. I truly appreciate it and your support for the channel. Thanks again. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@edberry3516]

I'm first! Awesome video!

[@iamremy-kl3xm]

I’m 2nd

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a million for watching and being first!! I truly appreciate your enthusiasm and support for the channel. Truly makes all the endless nights and effort completely worthwhile. Thanks again. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@jilliancollins5598]

I finally got to say now that’s mutton snapper baby!! Lol I pulled up my first keep mutton in Jupiter Sunday!! Ty for the education!!

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a million for watching and leaving some great feedback. That's completely awesome... Some times I get a little carried away in excitement, glad you got a chance to share that with me. Hope you had a great meal. Thanks again for you support of the channel I truly and sincerely appreciate it. Keep up the great fishing. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@timmc2886]

Great stuff Heath! Live Pilchards will keep the the trash away and help score larger fish!

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a million for watching and sharing. 100% correct live bait always does the trick. Always a true pleasure to hear from you and have your support for the channel. Makes all the effort completely worthwhile. Thanks again for adding your insight. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@mariop.2758]

Thanks! I caught one at Deerfield pier but was unable to land it as I was using a tuna hook.

[@aquaman461]

Great information Heath...crazy how much you know and how much I realize that I dont😉 Keep up the great work Heath. My local fishing group always discusses how much we enjoy your videos and we want to support our locals!!! Say hello to the " slayer"!!!!

[@jeromecalderone4526]

Second AquaMans comment we actually thought we saw you out there today for a second. Ocean was thrilling today.

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Cannot thank you enough for watching and supporting the channel. I really believe in trying to keep things simple. I do not know everything, not even close. But I do know that I love sharing with everyone. To me fishing isn't some big secret that I want to keep locked away and take to the grave. I truly want everyone who's interested to be able to go out and have some fun, get the family involved, bring home some great dinner. Thanks again for always being. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

I wish I was out there... the inlet looked beautiful... fortunately I was at work. Then I took Avi out for his 18th birthday dinner. Tight lines ;)

[@aquaman461]

@@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing awesome. Happy Birthday Avi!

[@miamiwax5504]

I wish other youtubers put in 1/4 the effort into teaching that you do!

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a million for watching and leaving a stellar comment. I truly appreciate that input. Made my day :) Always great hearing from your and having your most excellent support for the channel. Can't thank you enough. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@1539Mickey]

Hi Heath, great video. The fish finder rig is very easy to use under many conditions , even fresh water fishing. Hope the family is well and good luck, Mickey

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Hi Mickey, thanks for watching and always sharing. Fish finder rigs and their modifications are the backbone of bottom contact fishing. Having a solid foundation of knowledge, for any angler about technique for hunting the ocean, or lake, or stream, is a step in the right direction. I try not to other-think or complicate things too much. The family is good. Avi turned 18 yesterday. Hope your family is good as well, and preparing for the move is going smoothly. Take care :)

[@1539Mickey]

Hi Heath, Congratulations to Avi on his 18th birthday. Glad the family is well. The move is a lot of work but so far fairly smooth. Keep those videos coming. Take care, Mickey

[@TomRFL]

Great vid and a nice mutton 👍

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a ton for watching and always being here. I truly appreciate your most excellent support for the channel. That was a big boy. Always a true pleasure to hear from you, I can't thank you enough. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@TheTrashPirates]

Sweet! Going to John Pennekamp this week. I will do exactly as you described. Thank you!!

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

You should watch some.of my Florida Keys fishing videos for some helpful advice. Tight lines

[@TheTrashPirates]

@@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing I have watched a few from you however, send me the link just in case. Thank you!

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Here's a few from Key Largo that may be helpful: How to troll a clark spoon on the patch reefs kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2rMnItviK6ao9U How to troll the patch reefs kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGPOimaVlLOnn6c Trolling the patch reefs for giant mutton snapper kzbin.info/www/bejne/aH3ahaaZiLyhj9E Offshore trolling hot tuna bite kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJakpqx-ebxgb7c Offshore trolling for big Mahi kzbin.info/www/bejne/jV7cdXR-YtB1gNE How to troll for yellowtail snapper kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJu3kmilba-lepo slow pitch jigging for giant mutton snapper kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5fGcqiDoJ2La8k

[@davpink]

Love your videos! Question on this one: do you prefer the octopus style hook to the inline even when not using a snell?

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a boat load for watching and asking a great question. Yes I do. I like the setting action of the octopus hook. I never snell it. Been fishing with this set up for decades. I guess it's a classic case of old dog, new trick. Thanks again for your support of the channel. I truly appreciate it. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@pescamarescaptainalex4457]

👊👏

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Hi Alex. Hope the yellowtail fishing went good for you and the weather was on your side :)

[@captgjtunney]

HI Keith - quick question ... do you let the weight sit on the bottom or just close to the bottom? If on the bottom, do you get snagged a lot? Thanks for the great video as always.

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a million for watching and asking a great question. You let your weight all the way to the sea bed. You always keep letting out line to prevent getting hung up. When the fish strikes, it will lift your weight up of the ground. Now, ever once in a while you will hook the bottom, but that's all part of fishing. More often than not, though, if you keep letting line out and don't drag your bait through the water, you won't get hung up, and you'll increase your hook up ratio. Always a pleasure to hear from you and have you support for the channel, makes all the effort 100% completely worthwhile. Hope this info helps. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@drpando]

@@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing Yeah, but how are you keeping your boat in one place (not dragging the rig) in 50-60ft (or more) of water. even the slightest drag increases the snag ratio. Constantly in and out of gear to try and plant the boat over a spot (not using an anchor)? All the while trying hold your rod? Sounds like a 2-person deal would be optimum (one fishing, one driving). I see you're not by yourself, so is the other person holding the boat over a spot?.

[@paidslave1217]

Thanks for shaving! Finally lol

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

LOL you got me. Thanks a million for watching and leaving some hilarious feedback. I truly appreciate your support for the channel. Always a pleasure to hear from you. Can't thank you enough. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@andrewrollins4898]

When tying a knot to bent eye style hook, it's better to use a Snell knot.

[@andrewrollins4898]

When is the best time of year to fish the patch reefs for monster Mutton Snapper?

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

I'm not a fan of the Snell knot... It's more for show than anything or for tying multiple hooks on one line... But yes you can use it... It's super strong

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Best time for patch reef fishing is always November through January

[@andrewrollins4898]

@@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing I became a believer in how to properly tie on a bent style hook after a commercial fishermen demonstrated to me how it works using a cup. Using knots not meant for a bent style hook loses fish and increases the chance of a gut hooked fish. The clinch knot demonstrated in the video pulls the hook tip away from the fish instead of into the fish. Obviously, one can catch a fish tying on a hook anyway a person wants. But using the proper hook with the right knot catches more fish and humanly.

[@PetClipdog]

Thank you Teacher!!!. Why do you cut the head of Sardine? Thank You.

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a million for watching and asking a great question. Cutting the head off the sardine, turns it into a bait called a plug, doing this and trimming off the tail, gets the scent out into the current a little quicker, for attraction... also, it helps prevent the bait from spinning as you let it out, so it doesn't look unnatural. Hope this helps. Always a pleasure to hear from you and have your most welcome support for the channel. I truly appreciate everything. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@leelunk8235]

THANK YOU DADDY

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Uhhh?

[@leelunk8235]

@@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing LOL

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

@@leelunk8235 😁

[@xa8047]

Would you go over the Mercedes reef

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a million for watching and giving a great idea. So, I grew up in Pompano... I did numerous dives on the Mercedes, which is a wreck, when it stood upright, years later a hurricane split it in to 2 pieces. I could definitely go over where it is, how to find it, and how to fish it. Thanks again for the idea. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@1guy1controller63]

Can you use braid as mainline with fluoro as a leader?

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Yes you can definitely use braid as your main line

[@martinnovotny3655]

Hi are frozen food grade smelts good as a bait for any fish here in Florida? Thnx

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

I've honestly never heard of them being used as bait down here on the SE coast of Florida. Maybe more up north or on the west coast. Sorry I couldn't really answer your question.

[@martinnovotny3655]

@@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing Thank you sir :-) Understood.

[@albertwanner2764]

Hello Heath, when drifting for Muttons, and your constantly letting out line, when is the point where you stop letting outline and checking your bait?

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a million for watching and asking a great question. That's always on an anglers mind. Personally I usually give it as as long as I can go until I lose my patience with it. Also you have to remember if you're using monofilament it's going to stretch when you get a hit so just keep that in mind if you let out several hundred yards of line that initial stretch you might not even feel the fish head so I would say it's probably best practice to let out a couple hundred feet maybe get out to about 300 ft or so and then probably retrieve it if you don't feel a bite. Hope this helps. Thanks again for taking out time for your life to stop by watch and chat with me. Truly and sincerely appreciate your support for the channel. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@albertwanner2764]

Thankyou Heath!

[@albertwanner2764]

That's awsome fishing science

[@albertwanner2764]

I understand now why you only need to use an ounce or so of weight....It finally clicked for me lol!

[@albertwanner2764]

And I would definitely use braid up to my long mono or fluorocarbon leader

[@jbones1388]

Yummy

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

100% correct :)

[@JoseHernandez-tz4cs]

How long should the liter be?

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a million for watching and asking a great question. The average leader length I use is between 25 and 35 ft long. Hope this helps. Thanks again for your support of the channel I truly and sincerely appreciate it. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@killtrocity6857]

I thought the way to catch mutton snappers was down in Tampa after 2:00 am... I been proven wrong today...

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a million for watching and leaving some hilarious feedback. I truly appreciate your support for the channel. Makes a the endless nights and effort completely worthwhile. Thanks again for everything. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@mariop.2758]

Not in south Florida .. they come out earlier for us in the Atlantic 😉 I should’ve tires mine last night but the excitement was full strike on my international 20

[@befmx31]

Heath, don't take this the wrong way because I am asking sincerity. I don't get the "don't anchor but drift" thing going on here. You let you sinker sit on the bottom all the while continuing to let line out so the bait stays in the same spot as you drift away from your bait? If that is true why not just anchor then? Thanks.

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a million for watching and sharing your question. No offense taken, I love explaining this stuff. So when you are drifting, you sinker falls much faster than your bait, thus increasing your leader length to double, if not triple what you started with, drifting out, helps expedite this process, because of your flow with the current. Next, you keep letting out line, because you don't want to drag your bait down back to the sinker and have it pull against the current. This looks unnatural. Mutton Snapper, have keen eyesight and even better hearing... So any clanking from hardware can quickly spook them. Not to knock anchoring, but when in pursuit of Mutton snapper, you don't want to be locked into one place. If I was yellowtail snapper fishing and wanted to get out a good chum slick, I would definitely anchor... But with the muttons, you're gonna have to search around to find them, and then once you do, they are not a schooling fish, they are usually solitary. So if you're anchored and you happen to attract one... that's pretty much it. Hope this helps you understand my reasoning a little more. Thanks again for your support of the channel. I truly and sincerely appreciate it. Tight lines & take care ;)

[@befmx31]

@@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing thank you for the great explanation.

[@manuelpinzon9854]

What kind of Boat is that one ?

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

My boat is a Key West 1720cc

[@thebrain4239]

You always catch more fish when anchored !!!

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

🤔

[@captgjtunney]

Oops ... Sorry about the name Heath!

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

No worries :)

[@ChasingDreamsLivingLife]

Letting out line while you drift doesn't really make sense. IF you start up current of your structure, and you let out your line to the bottom, and then you start to let out line....AS you drift, you will never bring your bait over the top of the structure..... You'll be letting out line at the same rate as the drift of your boat. Your bait will stay in the same position or vicinity that you dropped it. OR maybe I am confused... Maybe you could clarify. You mention continually letting out line as your drift.... I don't see how this is effective. THIS IS though the method to do while you are anchored.

[@SouthFloridaSaltwaterFishing]

Thanks a million for watching and bringing up a good point. So, to explain a little more, your sinker doesn't go straight down, it will glide in the current slightly, thus putting you closer to your desired destination. Next, your bait will drift with the current, same direction you are going in with your boat, back over your structure.. If you can envision an almost v-shaped pattern of line between your rod tip to sinker and back to your bait. This is how your bait ends up over the structure, when you start a drift up current. your bait will not go against the current, your free floating sinker will deploy much faster than the drifting bait, thus making your leader almost three times as long as you originally tied it, giving your bait a chance to drift back over the structure and give as natural a presentation as possible. Which is why you always keep letting line out when you drift, you don't want you bait to look like it's dragging against the current. Hope this helps. Always a true pleasure to hear from you and have your most excellent support for the channel. I truly appreciate it. Makes all the endless effort and sleepless nights 100% worthwhile. Thanks again for everything. Tight lines & take care ;)