Saltwater · Year-round; best in warm months over shallow reefs.
Barred Pargo
Hoplopagrus guentherii
The Mexican barred snapper — the only member of its genus — is a deep-bodied, dark-barred snapper of rocky reefs near coral, a strong fighter and fine table fish from Baja to Panama.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Deepest body of any snapper — 44-46% of its length
- Broad dark bars on a greenish-brown body, fading in large adults
- Distinctive nostril tube/funnel at the front nostril
- Blunt head with a steep profile
- Fins dark-edged; juveniles strongly barred
Habits
- Adults over rocky bottoms near coral reefs, often in caves
- Juveniles in rocky tidal pools
- Feeds on fish and invertebrates, much of it at night
- Solitary or in small groups
Distribution
Where to find them
- Reefs off La Paz and the East Cape
- Rocky reefs off Mazatlán and Manzanillo
- Reef caves off Costa Rica's Guanacaste
- Rocky points off Guatemala and Panama
Where they live
How to catch them
Bottom fishing over rock Boat
Rig: Bottom rig with cut bait over rocky reef near coral
Bait/lure: Cut fish or squid
Key tip: Fish tight to the rocks and caves where barred pargo hold by day.
Night bottom fishing Boat
Rig: Heavier bottom rig fished after dark over reef
Bait/lure: Whole squid or cut bait
Key tip: Barred pargo feed more boldly at night; keep baits on the bottom.
Jigging reef edges Boat
Rig: Vertical jig worked along reef edges and caves
Bait/lure: Metal jig 60-120 g
Key tip: Work the jig close to structure and be ready for a dash back to the rocks.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: 7-7.5 ft medium-heavy boat rod
- Line: 30-50 lb braid
- Terminal: 50-60 lb leader, 6/0-8/0 circle hooks
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
7'6" medium-heavy jigging rod
≈ US$110-170
Works 2-6 oz jigs over rock and reef and still has the backbone to lift a halibut off the bottom.
Line · Budget
50 lb braid with 40 lb leader (200 yd)
≈ US$25-40
Thin braid cuts the current so jigs stay vertical; the leader shrugs off rock and teeth.
Terminal · Budget
Leadhead jigs, swimbaits and two-hook bottom rigs
≈ US$25-40
A leadhead with a swimbait tail is the universal bottom-fish catcher, from rockfish to cod to flounder.
Picks are never paid placements. Prices are guides; price links are coming soon and none is an affiliate link yet.
Typical size
Common to 50 cm; large specimens to 92 cm and 9.6 kg.
On the table
Very good — firm white flesh, prized locally.
Similar species
Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
Plan a trip for Barred Pargo
Build today's plan⚠ Heads-up: Barred Pargo doesn't occur around Vancouver, BC (or is very rare there), so it's not a sensible local target. Your plan stays in Vancouver, BC and is built around the fish that actually live there.