Here is a breakdown by state of the Red Snapper season 2018.
Florida
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Gov. Rick Scott are excited to announce a 40-day recreational red snapper season for both Gulf state and federal waters. A 24-day season was originally proposed.
Florida will be setting the season in 2018 and 2019 in both state and federal waters through a fishery-management pilot program (also referred to as an Exempted Fishing Permit). The 2018 proposed season would open June 11 and close July 21.
This recreational season will include those fishing for red snapper from private recreational vessels.
Louisiana
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission set the 2018 private recreational red snapper season to begin on Friday, May 25 in both state and federal waters. The season will run 7 days a week with a daily bag limit of two fish per person and a 16-inch total length minimum size limit. The Commission may consider amending the season at a future meeting to weekends-only, if necessary. The season will remain open until recreational landings approach or reach Louisiana’s annual private recreational allocation of 743,000 pounds of red snapper according to estimates from LA Creel.
Texas Red Snapper
The Texas red snapper season in federal waters for recreational anglers in private vessels is projected to start June 1 and run for 82 consecutive days.
The season dates also are set for recreational anglers fishing from charter and party boats. That 51-day season determined by the National Marine Fisheries Service runs from June 1 until midnight July 21, or one minute after midnight July 22, if you prefer.
Under a two-year pilot program, Texas, along with the other gulf states, are being allowed to set their federal seasons and manage their red snapper harvest this year and next for private recreational anglers.
Meanwhile, Texas will continue allowing anglers to catch red snapper in state waters year round, within about nine miles of shore. Federal waters extend to 200 miles.
State and federal size and bag limits will apply in the respective waters. This means anglers may keep four fish that measure at least 15 inches in state water. But in federal waters, the limit is two fish that are at least 16 inches long.
Alabama Red Snapper
Alabama’s recreation red snapper fishing season will be 47 days in 2018, according to a statement issued by Gov. Kay Ivey Friday. Alabama received an exemption from the National Marine Fisheries Service that will allow the state manage its red snapper season for 2018 and 2019.
In 2018, Alabama and federal waters off the coast will be open for red snapper fishing every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from June 1 to Sept. 2, plus July 2-5 and Sept. 3 (Labor Day). The bag limit will remain two per person with a 16-inch minimum length. Fishermen are still required to report their red snapper harvest through the Alabama Snapper Check Program.
Mississippi
Recreational fishermen can start catching the sweet-tasting red snapper up to 200 nautical miles from the Mississippi Coast starting May 25.
The season is expected to run through Labor Day, Sept. 3, but it will close if the quotas are reached. The season could close between July 9-22 to make sure the state’s quota hasn’t been met before Labor Day, MDMR said. It also depends on how many pounds are caught before July 4.
