Species guide
How to catch Emperor red snapper
Lutjanus sebae
The Emperor red snapper is a large, powerful reef fish known for its deep body and vibrant red color. It is a prized game fish found around coral and rocky reefs in tropical waters. Juveniles often shelter among sea urchins and mangroves before moving to deeper reefs.
Where they live
Found in brackish and saltwater from the Indian to Pacific Oceans, they inhabit coral and rocky reefs, sand flats, and gravel patches at depths of 5 to 180 meters. Juveniles frequent nearshore, turbid mangrove areas and offshore reefs.
Typical size
Up to about 116 cm
What they eat
- small finfish
- hermit crabs
- benthic crustaceans
- sergestid shrimp
Best baits
- fresh cut fish
- prawns
- squid pieces
- live small fish
Best lures
- large jigs
- deep-diving hardbaits
- soft plastic paddletails
- heavy surface poppers
How to fish for them
- bottom fishing
- deep jigging
- live bait fishing
- reef fishing
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