Triggerfish are found in the same type of habitat as red snapper. They feed on crabs, shrimp, sand dollars, sea urchins and mollusks. Anglers usually catch them on squid or cut bait, but triggerfish are also a popular fish for spearfishing. These fish usually exceed depths of 80 feet or more.
Triggerfish Fishing in the Clearwater / St. Pete Beach, Florida Area
Triggerfish are common in the offshore waters out of the Clearwater / St. Pete Beach, Florida area. Most of the offshore fishing charters will head 10 to 20 miles offshore and further to target the bottom structures for a variety of fish. Anglers usually catch triggerfish while fishing the reefs and wrecks out in deeper water. The charter boats that target snapper and grouper will usually run into some triggerfish too.
Triggerfish Fishing Tips
Triggerfish are notorious bait stealers and often frustrate anglers that are fishing for snapper and grouper. Triggerfish have a hard, bony mouth, so you need to make sure you’re using a small, but very strong, sharp hook.
Visit our Triggerfish fishing page to learn more.