Where to fish for red snapper
362 charters name red snapper on their own website, across 129 towns in 2 states.
State records for red snapper
The heaviest red snapper each state has certified, biggest first.
| State | Weight | Where | Year | Angler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 50.25 lb | South Timbalier Block 185 | 1996 | Capt. Doc Kennedysource |
| Florida | 46.5 lb | Destin | 1985 | Lane Nichols IIIsource |
| Alabama | 44.75 lb | — | 2002 | Melvin E. Dunn Jr.source |
| North Carolina | 40 lb | Off Cape Lookout | 1970 | Ben Grantsource |
| Texas | 38.75 lb | Gulf of Mexico | 2014 | Joseph L. Beaversource |
| Mississippi | 37.7 lb | — | 1995 | John J. Bullocksource |
| South Carolina | 37.5 lb | Little River | 1964 | K. Henrysource |
| Georgia | 37.5 lb | — | 1988 | Bill Shearin Jr.source |
Each from that state's own records page, linked on every row. A location links to its town only where the agency named that town — a record logged to "Gulf of Mexico" or an offshore block belongs to no city. Weights are printed as the agency prints them. Records are certified by the state and can be broken at any time.
How big red snapper run
Federal interviewers measured 3,699 of them on charter trips between 2022–2024. The middle half ran 15.6–27.6 inches, with a median of 18.9 inches.
Separately, MRIP's catch records for those trips count 8,247 released against 3,113 kept — more put back than taken, which is what a closed season or a tight limit looks like. That is a different tally from the fish that were measured, not a breakdown of them.
- Florida18.9" median, 3,514 measured
- Mississippi18.7" median, 166 measured
NOAA Fisheries MRIP dockside interviews, 2022–2024. A sample of the fish boats brought in, not a total, and not a forecast for any one trip.
About the fish
FWC says adults can live more than 20 years, possibly up to 60.
From FWC's species profile, checked Oct 2026.
Which rules apply to your trip
- In the Gulf, ask the captain whether the boat holds a federal for-hire reef fish permit. It decides which season applies to your trip and whether red snapper can be kept outside Florida Gulf state waters.
- In the Gulf, with a federal for-hire permit: the federal for-hire season applies, and while it is closed nobody aboard may fish for or keep red snapper in federal or state waters.
- In the Gulf, without one: Florida's season applies, and the boat can only keep red snapper in Florida Gulf state waters (shore to 9 miles).
- On a Gulf boat with a federal for-hire reef fish permit, nobody aboard may fish for or keep red snapper, in federal or state waters, while the federal for-hire season is closed.
Harvest rules
When can you keep one in Florida?
Seasons and limits are set state by state, and these are Florida's. Red Snapper is caught by charters in 2 states on this page; ask your captain which rules apply where you are fishing.
Gulf
Florida Gulf state waters run from shore to 9 miles.
- Charter with a federal for-hire permitJune 1, 2026 until 12:01 a.m. on October 26, 2026Set by NOAA Fisheries: 147 days. While this season is closed, nobody aboard a federally permitted for-hire vessel may keep red snapper, in federal or state waters.
- Charter without a federal permit, and private boatsMay 22 to July 31, then daily September 1 to October 4 and October 9 to 22, then Friday-to-Sunday and weekend dates through the autumn, ending with January 1 to 4, 2027Florida's own season, set by FWC. The regulations page now lists October 9-22 as daily, where a May 2026 news release had those dates as three-day weekends; the regulations page is the one FWC keeps current, so these are its dates. After that: October 23-25 and October 30 to November 1 (Friday to Sunday), November 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22 (weekends), November 26-29, December 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20 (weekends), December 25-27, and January 1-4, 2027 daily.
Atlantic
Florida Atlantic state waters run from shore to 3 miles.
- Atlantic state and federal watersOctober 9 to 22, 2026A 14-day season under a federal Exempted Fishing Permit, for private anglers and for-hire captains, in Atlantic state and federal waters. The captain declares the trip through FWC's Reporting App before leaving the dock; if you are a paying customer on a for-hire trip you do not declare one yourself. An undeclared trip cannot keep red snapper. For-hire vessels must also sign up for the free Atlantic For-Hire Reef Fish Registry. Outside these dates, red snapper cannot be kept.
Gear rules
Reef fish gear requirements apply; check FWC's reef fish gear rules for the hooks and release tools required where you fish.
Questions about red snapper
Does Florida have its own red snapper rules, separate from the federal ones?
Yes. Florida sets the Gulf private recreational season itself: May 22 to July 31, then daily September 1 to October 4 and October 9 to 22, then Friday-to-Sunday and weekend dates into the new year. FWC announced 140 days in May and has since made October 9-22 daily, so read the dates rather than the count. Charters that hold a federal for-hire permit follow the federal season instead, which opened June 1 and closed at 12:01 a.m. on October 26, 2026.
Can I keep a red snapper on a Florida charter in November?
On a Gulf charter with a federal permit, no: that season closed at 12:01 a.m. on October 26, 2026, and the closure applies in state waters too. A Gulf charter without a federal permit can keep them in Florida Gulf state waters (inside 9 miles) on Florida's open days, which in November are November 1, 7-8, 14-15, 21-22 and 26-29. Captain and crew may keep none.
How big does one have to be to keep?
16 inches total length in the Gulf and 20 inches in the Atlantic under the standard rules, as listed by FWC.
How many can I take home?
In the Gulf, two per person per day, counted inside Florida's 10-per-harvester snapper aggregate; captain and crew on a charter may keep none. Recreational harvest in the Atlantic is currently closed.
Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, snapper regulations and FWC, 2026 red snapper seasons and FWC, Atlantic red snapper state management season and NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Gulf federal for-hire season and NOAA Fisheries, South Atlantic permits halted and FWC, red snapper profile in Oct 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.