Gulf Red Snapper are regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC.) The FWC has strictly regulated the harvesting of Gulf Red Snapper for the past few seasons. In 2012, the FWC had approved a 40-day Gulf Red Snapper season. For 2013, FWC had a 44-day season. As of 2015, state waters has been approved for a 70-day Gulf Red Snapper season!
On April 16, 2015, the FWC approved a 70-day recreational Red Snapper season for state waters!
The 2015 season kicks off on Saturday, May 23, 2015 and will run through July 12, 2015. After the closing on July 12, harvesting of Red Snapper can resume for all on Labor Day weekend, September 5-7 and finish with each weekend through the rest of September and all of October, with the last day of harvest being November 1, 2015.
The Gulf Red Snapper season for federal waters has not been set, but will be announced at a later date.
Gulf Red Snappers MUST be 16″ to harvest and there is a limit of 2 per harvester per day and is included in the 10 per harvester per day state snapper aggregate bag limit.
Also, in catching Red Snapper, you may only use circle hooks and dehooking devices.
You can read more about gear rules here.
For more information, visit MyFWC.com/About and click on “The Commission” and “Commission Meetings.” For information on Gulf red snapper, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Gulf Snapper.”