Fish

African red snapper (Gambian snapper)

Pargo rojo africano

Lutjanus agennes

SaltwaterBrackish

At a glance

Typical size

5–30 lb.

Depth

Shallow lagoons to deep coastal reefs.

Best time

Dawn, dusk and night.

Found in

2 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A big, heavy snapper, reddish to bronze-red with darker red-brown on the back, a pointed head, big canine teeth and a slightly forked tail. The giant snapper of West Africa.
Typical size: 5–30 lb.
Maximum size: About 4½ ft (139 cm) and about 130 lb (60 kg) published.
Diet: Fish, crabs, shrimp and octopus.
Behavior: Adults live on rocky bottoms and inshore reefs and are common in brackish lagoons; young fish move into the lower courses of rivers.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Morocco & West Africa and Gulf of Guinea & Central Africa. From Senegal and Cape Verde to Angola: rocky reefs, river mouths, mangrove channels and lagoons (Port-Gentil, Bijagós, Sierra Leone River, Gambia).
Habitat: From Senegal and Cape Verde to Angola: rocky reefs, river mouths, mangrove channels and lagoons (Port-Gentil, Bijagós, Sierra Leone River, Gambia).
Depth: Shallow lagoons to deep coastal reefs.
Fishing depth: 10–100 ft over rocks, wrecks and channel edges.
Best season: Year-round.
Best time: Dawn, dusk and night.
Best tides: Moving tides at channel and lagoon mouths.
Best weather / conditions: Calm seas for reef fishing.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Live small fish, crabs, octopus and fish fillets.
Best artificial lures: Jigs, deep-diving plugs and big soft plastics near structure.
Tackle setup: Heavy bottom or jigging rod with a strong reel.
Hook size: 5/0–8/0 circle hooks.
Line: 50–80 lb braid.
Leader: 60–100 lb fluorocarbon.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Leader Hooks Weight Tool

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: From Senegal and Cape Verde to Angola: rocky reefs, river mouths, mangrove channels and lagoons (Port-Gentil, Bijagós, Sierra Leone River, Gambia).
Rig up: Heavy bottom or jigging rod with a strong reel. 60–100 lb fluorocarbon.
Pick your bait: Live small fish, crabs, octopus and fish fillets. Lures: Jigs, deep-diving plugs and big soft plastics near structure.
Fish it: Fish live bait or jigs tight to rocks, wrecks and channel edges; lift hard as soon as it bites, before it reaches cover.
Time it: Dawn, dusk and night. Moving tides at channel and lagoon mouths.

Fishing techniques: Fish live bait or jigs tight to rocks, wrecks and channel edges; lift hard as soon as it bites, before it reaches cover.
BigJoe's tip: Big African red snapper often hold on rocky points right next to tarpon water — a live bait on the bottom there can produce a giant.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Excellent white meat — grilled whole, fried or in stews.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Big canine teeth and sharp gill covers.
Regulations: Local country rules apply; little is known about its status (Data Deficient), so release big fish. Licensing is handled country by country and is usually arranged through the charter boat or lodge; national parks and marine reserves (such as Loango in Gabon and the Bijagós in Guinea-Bissau) have their own rules, often catch-and-release.
Conservation: Release the biggest snapper; they're slow to replace.

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Sources & photo credits