Snapper fishing in Florida: red snapper season, baits and charters
Bottom fishing for red, mangrove, mutton and yellowtail snapper on Florida’s reefs and wrecks.
Snapper are Florida’s favorite fish to eat and some of the most fun to catch on a bottom fishing trip. Here’s when red snapper season is open, the types of snapper, the best baits, and where to book.
When is red snapper season in Florida?
Red snapper season in Florida is set each year, separately for the Gulf and the Atlantic. In 2026 the Gulf season ran a record 140+ days in summer and fall, and the Atlantic had 39 days. Other snapper, like mangrove, mutton and yellowtail, are open most of the year with size and bag limits. Always check the FWC snapper rules before you keep fish.
Lutjanus campechanusMeet the red snapper
Also called: Genuine red snapper; Florida also has mangrove, mutton, lane, vermilion and yellowtail snapper
- Typical size
- 16–30 in and 5–20 lb; big fish top 30 lb
- Lifespan
- Can live more than 50 years
- Where it lives
- Reefs, wrecks, ledges and artificial reefs in the Gulf and Atlantic, mostly 60–300 ft deep
- How to spot it
- Bright pink-red all over with a red eye; mangrove snapper are gray-red with two canine teeth
- What it eats
- Small fish, squid, crabs and shrimp
- Can you keep it?
- Red snapper seasons are short and set every year for the Gulf and Atlantic (FWC rules)
Released snapper often can’t swim back down from deep water; a descending device (required on board when reef fishing in federal waters) returns them to the bottom safely.
Types of snapper in Florida
The snapper you can catch on a Florida trip:
| Red | Mangrove (gray) | Mutton | Yellowtail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Gulf and Atlantic reefs, wrecks | Docks, mangroves, reefs | South Florida and Keys reefs | Keys and South Florida reefs |
| Typical size | 5–20 lb | 1–8 lb | 5–15 lb | 1–4 lb |
| Season | Short, set yearly | Most of the year | Most of the year | Most of the year |
| Best bait | Cigar minnows, squid | Live shrimp, pilchards | Live ballyhoo, pilchards | Chum and small baits |
| Eating | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Snapper fishing charters
Deep sea and bottom fishing trips that catch snapper:
How to catch snapper
Tips from our offshore captains:
Bottom fishing
Snapper school over reefs, wrecks and ledges. Your captain anchors or drifts over the spot; drop to the bottom and reel up a few turns.
Light leaders
Snapper are line-shy. Use fluorocarbon leader and small circle hooks, and chum to get them biting. Read about the types of snapper in Florida.
Rules
Red snapper seasons are set each year; other snapper have size and bag limits. Read the FWC snapper rules. On every trip the captain handles the license.
Where to go
Book Florida fishing charters from the Panhandle to the Keys, or start from our fishing charter home page.
What to bring
Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, snacks and drinks, and a cooler for fillets. Offshore can be rough: read our Sea Sickness tips.
Same trip, more fish
Snapper trips also catch grouper, amberjack, triggerfish and porgies.
Best places to go snapper fishing in Florida
Pick a town (lowest deep sea trip price on its page, or call to book):
Northeast Florida
Treasure Coast & Palm Beaches
Fort Lauderdale & Miami
Fish you catch on a snapper trip
Bottom fishing in Florida brings up:
Seasons, size and bag limits apply: see the FWC saltwater fishing regulations.
Snapper fishing by season
Winter Dec–Feb
- Mutton and yellowtail in the Keys
- Mangrove snapper on reefs
- Calm days offshore
Spring Mar–May
- Mutton spawn aggregations
- Lane and vermilion
- Warming water
Summer Jun–Aug
- Red snapper seasons (check FWC)
- Mangrove snapper at night
- Early starts
Fall Sep–Nov
- Gulf fall red snapper days
- Great mixed bags
- Calmer seas
Recent guest reviews
5.07 reviewsReviews from our Florida fishing trips.
Capt Brad was great for both of our fishing trips. He took great care to make my husbands birthday fishing experience amazing and taught me how to use a bait caster. His boat was immaculate and most importantly, he put us on fish.
Ashley Eubanks · April 2026 · Google
A most delightful town
The town of New Smyrna is worth seeing and visiting. We enjoyed walking along the waterfront. You can drive your car to the beach. Ate dinner near the water at one of the Town Tavern which featured a live band. My friend and I went fishing, what fun, highly recommend it!
Lisa Wilson · January 2021
Obstacles conquered!
Started out with a full moon the night before and wind blowing 3 times what was forecast but Captain Brad had a plan. We got out and in no time had fish on! I had no expectations for what we might catch which turned out great 8 different species and two nice redfish! I had a great time!
Doug M. · March 2019 · TripAdvisor
Loved fishing
I have to say, this was one of the most professional organizations I have experienced. Booking was easy and customer support answered all my questions. Even when I remembered them and called back hours later! :) What was recommended was an afternoon trip with Capt Brad. I chose the 6 hour trip…
Tim S · January 2019
Best Birthday Gift Ever !!!
I booked this trip for my Dad's Birthday he loves to fish but rarely catches anything. We went with Capt Brad Kayholm and he delivered an awesome trip he was on time ,very friendly ,knowledgeable and put us on the fish !!! I would definitely recommend booking a trip with him!!!
flhomesbyrich · October 2018
Best Birthday Gift Ever !!!
I booked this trip for my Dad's Birthday he loves to fish but rarely catches anything. We went with Capt Brad Kayholm and he delivered an awesome trip he was on time ,very friendly ,knowledgeable and put us on the fish !!! I would definitely recommend booking a trip with him!!!
flhomesbyrich · October 2018 · TripAdvisor
Four hour trip with Captain Brad
We had a great time with Captain Brad. He had us on the fish right away in the morning and always kept us moving looking for more. He was very knowledgeable.
Eli L · October 2018 · TripAdvisor
Book a snapper fishing charter
Pick a town and date, or let us match you with a captain.
Want to fish red snapper season? Call or text and we’ll find an open boat.
Saltwater license covered by the captain on saltwater trips. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before. Full refund or free reschedule if the captain cancels for weather. Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.
Snapper fishing FAQ
When is red snapper season in Florida?
Red snapper seasons are set every year and are different in the Gulf and the Atlantic. In 2026 Florida set a record Gulf season of more than 140 days in summer and fall, and a 39-day Atlantic season. Check the FWC snapper rules for this year’s dates before you book.
What kinds of snapper can you catch in Florida?
Red, mangrove (gray), mutton, lane, vermilion (beeliner) and yellowtail snapper. Mangrove snapper live inshore and offshore; mutton and yellowtail are South Florida and Keys favorites.
What is a mangrove snapper?
Mangrove snapper, also called gray snapper, is a dark gray-red snapper with sharp canine teeth. Small ones live around docks and mangroves; big ones live on offshore reefs and wrecks. They are excellent to eat and open year-round in most Florida waters.
What is the best bait for snapper?
Live or fresh-dead sardines, pilchards, cigar minnows, squid and cut bait on light leaders. Snapper are line-shy, so use the lightest leader and smallest hook you can.
Where is the best snapper fishing in Florida?
The Panhandle (Destin, Pensacola, Panama City) and the Nature Coast for red snapper in the Gulf; the Space Coast and Northeast Florida for Atlantic red snapper; and the Keys and South Florida for mutton, yellowtail and mangrove snapper.
Is snapper good to eat?
Yes. Red, mangrove, mutton and yellowtail snapper are among the best eating fish in Florida, with mild, flaky white meat.
How much is a snapper fishing charter?
Snapper trips are deep sea (bottom fishing) charters. On iOutdoors, Florida deep sea trips start from $700 in Fort Pierce and $750 in Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Vero Beach, priced per boat. Drift fishing party boats are a budget option.