How To Rig Pinfish For Big Mangrove Snapper (And Other Offshore Species)

To get our best fishing spots and tips, plus discounts to our online tackle store, click here to join us in the Insider Club: bit.ly/32NnjmZ
To get the Mission Fishin jig heads we were using on this trip, click here: bit.ly/3gPBFZl
I recently had my best mangrove snapper day ever!
I caught tons of big mangrove snapper off a nearshore wreck using live pinfish and pinfish chunks.
Now when most people rig baits for bottom fishing, they usually use rigs like a knocker rig or a Carolina rig.
These are good rigs, but the one we were using on this day was even simpler than those!
You don't need a weight, bead, or swivel, and the way it's set up you're less likely to get your line tangled as you drop your bait down.
It works well with any sort of baitfish, shrimp, squid, or even cut bait.
See how to tie this simple rig in this video here.
Have any questions about rigging pinfish for snapper?
Let us know down in the comments.

[@Saltstrong]

To get our best fishing spots and tips, plus discounts to our online tackle store, click here to join us in the Insider Club: bit.ly/32NnjmZ

[@eibyvelasquez7088]

I like how you brought out a live pinfish in this video 😂😂😂

[@TridentDriver]

Almost dead tho lol

[@nicstr28]

I use those jigs for everything.

[@edparagonpc]

Unfortunately you can't use J hooks in my area but I'm going to try it with circle hook jigs of the same style and see if that works. Has anyone tried those?

[@LATINBEATSDJ]

i agree with jason collazo below. i fish the tampa bay area. my friends and i are completely confused!!!!!! I thought we are not supposed to be using these type of hooks on reef fish but this is the second video ive seen on youtube that show people using it. did the law change and the fwc didn tell us?

[@dropanchorfishing5831]

Thanks for the Info! I use Jig heads for yellow tail and mangrove all the time. They work great...

[@jasoncollazo3813]

Aren't circle hooks mandatory for reef fish, and aren't mangroves classified as reef fish?

[@kevinyoung947]

No

[@johnhooperjr.480]

Mangrove are not reef fish? I also thought circle hooks the rule with live bait in the Gulf?

[@ramboassgoblin]

@@johnhooperjr.480 "mangrove"

[@mattbackvass]

yes they are

[@mattbackvass]

right in FwC page, under Snapper, the gray snapper is listed, and under gear rules, Note: Gear rules require circle hooks and dehooking to be used in Gulf state waters reef fish fisheries. The requirement to use venting tools in state and federal waters was eliminated in 2014.

[@peterphillips4218]

What weight jigs do you recommend for 60 plus feet of water

[@Saltstrong]

Great question! Make sure to ask this over in the Community (www.saltstrong.com/) where the coaches spend their time.

[@jameskelly5972]

Could u use this rig for flounder also using live minnows?

[@TridentDriver]

You sure could.

[@williamelliott4444]

Ever try the Bottom Sweeper jigs?

[@Saltstrong]

Not yet, but I've heard good things about them.

[@danielfarren7267]

Can you use this rig inshore as well?

[@Saltstrong]

Absolutely!

[@miamiwax5504]

What's the difference between this and a knocker?

[@michaelabbondondolo834]

Good tip

[@hookedonfishingforreel]

What oz jig head would you recommend for the Pin fish?

[@Saltstrong]

Thank you for your question! We have a massive library of fishing tips on our website along with a search feature to let you quickly filter down to find help you're looking for, so just go to www.saltstrong.com/ and use the Search feature in the top menu.

[@hookedonfishingforreel]

@@Saltstrong rather than send me to your page, you could’ve just told me. This is a total turn off!. I’ve been to your page before and bought items. I don’t need to go to your page again. Why couldn’t you just tell me?

[@Saltstrong]

@@hookedonfishingforreelSo sorry for the inconvenience. Our fishing coaches only have time to reply to Comments on our website.

[@TridentDriver]

​@@hookedonfishingforreel So you think youd use the same size jighead for fishing in 2 feet of water that you would in 50 feet?

[@stevenjefferies9415]

how deep were you? Gulf side or bay side? trying to compare for when I go out in Mobile Bay.

[@Saltstrong]

This was in around 30 ft of water on the Atlantic side of FL.

[@CHOPPER030279]

Alabama Grey snapper are a reef fish so you are required to use circle hooks and a reef permit also needed

[@riverarivera9714]

What’s that jig called ?

[@Saltstrong]

It is a Mission Fishin brand jig head

[@webincomeincome8767]

So why are suggesting a j-hook option for snapper. They are considered reef fish.

[@christianruiz9442]

What size hook is this?

[@Saltstrong]

Great question! Make sure to ask this over in the Community (www.saltstrong.com/) where the coaches spend their time.

[@chrismidland5973]

Didn’t look that deep? 30ft or so?

[@Saltstrong]

Great eye! It was 30 ft.

[@chrismidland5973]

Was curious cuz it’s about 80ft for our closer reefs in Destin, fl. Probably better to just chum them up to the surface and free line some bait, no?

[@Hisslave1]

@@chrismidland5973 I'm east of you a bit Chris but chumming and freelining is my favorite way to fish, especially for black snapper (mangos). Not only is it the most fun way to catch 'em, but usually the most productive, especially with the big 5-10 pounders.

[@Kike0226]

Didn't you guys never heart the words catch and release like you really need all those fish for food sad

[@Saltstrong]

We of course do a lot of catch and release fishing. This trip involved a big group who all loves to eat fish so we kept the right amount to make sure that none of it went to waste.

[@Hisslave1]

Didn't you ever keep a mess of fish? Don't be a jerk.

[@fixerofthings]

They can keep as many fish as the FWC scientists say they can.

[@alligator801]

Enrique Jaramillo Yeh... I heart the words!

[@nicstr28]

I cant stand the "why you keep the fish" Karen's. I will keep my limit of ANY fish that I like to eat. I will eat them fresh and I will eat them frozen. I will keep a snook a day if I catch a snook a day. I will keep 5 manga a day if I catch 5 a day. I dont keep mangs under 14-15". Anybody wants to judge me for that will get judged to embarrassment. I CANT STAND the catch/release only crowd. Those are the people that sanitize their hands after every fish they touch and wipe down their white claw after every sip. Clowns. Do as you wish and leave other people the hell alone.