Where to fish for snook
948 charters name snook on their own website, across 229 towns in 1 state.
State records for snook
The heaviest snook each state has certified, biggest first.
| State | Weight | Where | Year | Angler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 57.5 lb | Gulf of Mexico | 1937 | Louis Rawaltsource |
| Florida | 45.75 lb | Sebastian | 2015 | Heather Lynn Connorssource |
| Georgia | 10.12 lb | — | 1990 | Lester Rookssource |
| Alabama | 7 lb | — | 2024 | Gardner Lovesource |
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.
About the fish
FWC says snook begin life as males, and between 18 and 22 inches long some become females.
From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.
Which rules apply to your trip
- FWC says the snook rules apply in all inland, state and adjacent federal waters.
- The slot differs by coast: 28 to 33 inches total length in the Gulf regions, 28 to 32 inches total length in the Atlantic regions.
- Before buying a snook permit, FWC says to check current regulations in the area you plan to fish. All sales are final, with no refund even if snook is closed to harvest.
- During the closed seasons you may not keep any snook you catch; FWC says to release out-of-season snook.
Harvest rules
When can you keep one in Florida?
Panhandle (Gulf)
Florida-Alabama border east into Franklin County.
- All anglersHarvest closed December 1 to the end of February, and May 1 to August 31FWC closed seasons.
Big Bend (Gulf)
Near Alligator Point in Franklin County east and south to Fred Howard Park, near the Pasco and Pinellas county border.
- All anglersHarvest closed December 1 to the end of February, and May 1 to August 31FWC closed seasons.
Tampa Bay (Gulf)
Fred Howard Park south to State Road 64 in Manatee County.
- All anglersHarvest closed December 1 to the end of February, and May 1 to August 31FWC closed seasons.
Sarasota Bay (Gulf)
State Road 64 south to near Venice.
- All anglersHarvest closed December 1 to the end of February, and May 1 to August 31FWC closed seasons.
Charlotte Harbor (Gulf)
Near Venice south to near Vanderbilt Beach Road in Collier County.
- All anglersHarvest closed December 1 to the end of February, and May 1 to September 30FWC closed seasons. The summer closure runs a month longer here than in the northern Gulf regions.
Southwest (Gulf)
Near Vanderbilt Beach Road through the Florida Keys to the Monroe and Miami-Dade line, including Everglades National Park.
- All anglersHarvest closed December 1 to the end of February, and May 1 to September 30FWC closed seasons. The summer closure runs a month longer here than in the northern Gulf regions.
Southeast (Atlantic)
Martin and Palm Beach county line south to the Miami-Dade and Monroe county line. Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park.
- All anglersHarvest closed December 15 to January 31, and June 1 to August 31FWC closed seasons for the Atlantic regions.
Indian River Lagoon (Atlantic)
New Smyrna Beach south to the Martin and Palm Beach county line, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River.
- All anglersHarvest closed December 15 to January 31, and June 1 to August 31FWC closed seasons for the Atlantic regions.
Northeast (Atlantic)
Florida-Georgia border south to New Smyrna Beach, including the St. Johns River.
- All anglersHarvest closed December 15 to January 31, and June 1 to August 31FWC closed seasons for the Atlantic regions.
Gear rules
Hook and line only. Fish must stay whole until landed ashore, and no commercial harvest or sale of snook is allowed.
Questions about snook
Do I need a snook permit?
Yes. FWC lists a snook permit and a recreational fishing license as the license requirements for snook.
Is the slot the same on both coasts?
No. The Gulf regions use 28 to 33 inches total length; the Atlantic regions use 28 to 32 inches.
How many can I keep?
One per person per day in every region. The captain and crew cannot keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip.
Can I still book a snook trip when harvest is closed?
Release it. FWC says do not keep any snook during the closed seasons, and to release out-of-season snook.
Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, snook regulations and FWC, snook profile and FWC, a sketch of the common snook in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.