Florida state record
- 10.19 lb Ft. Myers · January 30, 2015 · Jeff Bowles
From FWC Florida Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle), checked Sep 2026. Records are certified by FWC and can be broken at any time.
About the fish
SizeUp to 30 inches and 5 pounds
Where it livesCoastal waters, mainly near coral reefs
What it eatsFishes and invertebrates
FWC says yellowtail snapper spawn in mid-summer.
From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.
Which rules apply to your trip
- Yellowtail count toward Florida's 10-snapper daily aggregate bag limit. Not every snapper counts toward it; vermilion snapper, for example, are not included.
- FWC notes that special regulations apply to yellowtail snapper when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Yellowtail snapper, Florida waters: when you can keep one
Gulf and Atlantic state waters.
- All anglersOpen year roundFWC.
12 inches total lengthSize limit
Up to 10 per personDaily limit. Inside the 10-snapper daily aggregate.
Questions about yellowtail snapper
How big does a yellowtail snapper have to be?
12 inches total length.
How many can I keep?
Up to 10 per person, inside the 10-snapper daily limit.
Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, snapper regulations and FWC, yellowtail snapper profile in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.