Species
Red Snapper Fishing Charters
Red snapper live over reefs, wrecks and hard bottom offshore. Recreational seasons are short and set by state and federal managers. 135 captains and guides in 29 towns list red snapper. Here is where, and the months it is in season where we have a published calendar.
Key facts
About the red snapper
Light red overall with deeper red on the back, a long triangular face and enlarged canine teeth. Fish from deeper water tend to be redder.
- Scientific name
- Lutjanus campechanus
- Family
- Snapper family (Lutjanidae)
- Typical catch
- Commonly about 24 inches
- How big they get
- May reach 40 inches long and 50 pounds
- Where they live
- Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico) and the Atlantic coast; rare north of the Carolinas. Commercial catch comes from North Carolina to Texas.
- Habitat
- Adults live near the bottom around hard structure on the continental shelf – reefs, ledges, caves and artificial reefs – mostly 30 to 620 feet deep. Juveniles stay in shallow water over sand or mud.
- Diet
- Fish, shrimp, crabs, worms, squid and octopus, and some plankton.
- Lifespan
- Long-lived; ages of 57 years have been reported in the Gulf and 51 years in the South Atlantic
- On the table
- Sweetly mild but distinctive flavor; lean, moist, semi-firm flesh that is pinkish raw and lightens when cooked.
Where
Where to catch red snapper with a charter
| Town | Captains listing it | Main months | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Destin, FL | 13 | May, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct | Report |
| Gulf Shores, AL | 12 | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | Report |
| Galveston, TX | 11 | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | Report |
| Panama City Beach, FL | 9 | May, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct | Report |
| Venice, LA | 7 | — | Report |
| Orange Beach, AL | 7 | — | Report |
| Dauphin Island, AL | 7 | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | Report |
| St. Augustine, FL | 6 | Oct | Report |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 6 | — | Report |
| Biloxi, MS | 6 | — | Report |
| Pensacola, FL | 5 | — | Report |
| Clearwater, FL | 5 | May, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct | Report |
| Port Aransas, TX | 5 | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | Report |
| Fort Myers, FL | 4 | — | Report |
| Savannah, GA | 4 | Oct | Report |
| Sarasota, FL | 4 | — | Report |
| South Padre Island, TX | 3 | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | Report |
| Grand Isle, LA | 3 | May, Jun, Jul, Aug | Report |
| Charleston, SC | 3 | — | Report |
| Cocoa Beach, FL | 3 | Oct | Report |
| Daytona Beach, FL | 3 | Oct | Report |
| Port St. Joe, FL | 2 | — | Report |
| Tampa, FL | 1 | May, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct | Report |
| Murrells Inlet, SC | 1 | — | Report |
| Morehead City, NC | 1 | — | Report |
| Anna Maria Island, FL | 1 | — | Report |
| Jacksonville, FL | 1 | — | Report |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 1 | — | Report |
| Carolina Beach, NC | 1 | — | Report |
Counts are captains who list red snapper, as of October 2026. Months come from the state wildlife agency or local captains’ published calendars where we have one; seasons and limits change, so check current rules.
Before you go
What to know about red snapper fishing
Things to know
- Federally managed with two separate stocks (Gulf and South Atlantic); seasons are set each year and differ for private boats and for-hire boats – check NOAA Fisheries, the Gulf Council or your state agency.
- Fish brought up from deep water often suffer barotrauma (bloated belly, bulging eyes); descending devices or venting tools help released fish survive and are required in many areas.
- In the South Atlantic, a descending device must be on board for snapper-grouper fishing, and dehooking tools are required.
- Spawning runs May to October, depending on location; females can spawn from age 2.
- Gulf stock is still rebuilding but not overfished; the South Atlantic stock is not overfished and not subject to overfishing (2024 assessment).
How charters catch them
- Hook and line over reefs, ledges and artificial reefs, often in water deeper than 50 feet
- Natural bait on non-stainless circle hooks (required in the Gulf)
- Federally permitted charter and headboat trips during the federal for-hire season
- Spearfishing (allowed in some areas)
Related fish
Fish caught on the same kind of trip
Questions
Red Snapper questions
Why is the red snapper season so short?
Red snapper are federally managed with annual catch limits, and seasons are set each year to keep catch within those limits while stocks rebuild.
What is a descending device?
A weighted tool that returns a fish to depth so expanded gas recompresses. It reduces the number of released snapper that die.
How long do red snapper live?
They are long-lived; fish up to 57 years old have been reported in the Gulf.
Facts on this page come from official fisheries and wildlife sources, checked October 2026:
Size and bag limits and seasons change and differ by state. Check the state agency before you keep a fish.
For captains and guides
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