To own your piece of paradise come to Coldwell Banker Tropicana

Costalegre Real Estate

The Colorado Snapper is very similar in characteristics to the Pacific Cubera snapper and can actually be encountered from time to time swimming along or amongst them. Usually though, the Colorado is not encountered nearly as often, especially from shore. Generally, they tend to prefer slightly deeper water than the Cubera and are caught more often jigging or yo-yoing irons or drifting live or dead baits off of the bottom. Once hooked, they will fight almost as much, if not equal to a Cubera of the same size.  

Description: This snapper is very similar to the Cubera in body structure. The red portions and highlights of the Colorado are much more intense however, almost florescent at times. Often, upon close inspection, you can see a blue streak under either eye, similar to that of the Yellow snapper. The canine teeth, although prominent are not as large as those of the Cubera. Their belly is off white to pink with their backs being almost maroon in color fringed with bright red. As its body and fins are mostly red, a school of these fish traveling along en route somewhere is a pretty spectacular sight indeed. The IGFA All-Tackle record is 20 pounds 8 ounces, but I have seen larger ones to at least 35 pounds or more. An average one would be 8-10 pounds.

Fishing Techniques: By Boat: If, for some reason, you are specifically targeting the Colorado snapper try using smaller baits such as large sardines or small caballitos. Personally I have had the best luck catching these fish with Klassic popper and other top-water lures, cast around rocky areas, as well as jigging them off of the bottom in a hundred feet or more using Salas-type irons and spoons. Surf Fishing: As you would for Cubera snapper, cast poppers towards rocky areas devoting a little more time to the channels or alleys between them. As these fish are generally smaller than the Cubera they tend to hide out in slightly shallower areas. They can be also taken on top-water lures along the sandy beaches as well in the late afternoons. Cut bait such as a chunk of squid or a whole shrimp on a bottom rig works also along the sandy beaches particularly in the dirty foamy water at the shoreline. Fly Fishing: These fish can be taken on a fly but water conditions must be very calm as a smaller fish, which are more likely to hit flies, are in the shallows. Try 1/0 to 2/0 poppers and smaller streamers in sardine and anchovy patterns. A 10 weight outfit is probably best.

Edibility & Cleaning: Although this snapper can be delicious, especially baked whole, they have a pretty good bloodline running through their sides. If you are keeping one it is best to bleed it upon capture and fillet it as soon as possible. Fillet as you would any snapper or grouper.

* The abbreviated text on this page is taken from the upcoming book "Fishing - Mexican Style" by Jeff Klassen, is copyrighted and may not be used for purposes other than personal use without the written permission from the publisher.

If you want to go catch your own Colorado Snapper in Barra De Navidad, Melaque or anywhere in the Costalegre Mexico area please check out our Fishing Rates and Packages