Fishing for red snapper in all coastal waters requires a state saltwater fishing license. Legally, Texas anglers may bring in only four snapper, regardless of season, and may not possess more than two snapper (per licensed angler) in federal waters during the federal season.ĭo I Need a License? Yes, if you are 17 or older and born after Jan.

Game wardens suggest anglers who want to take snapper from both waters, first bag two legal fish in federal waters, then while coming in, keep only two additional snapper from state waters. They must measure at least 15 inches in length.ĭouble Dipping: Texas anglers may not return to shore with a combined daily limit from state and federal waters. Texas Bag & Size Regulations: Each angler may keep four red snapper from state waters. State Snapper Season: Red snapper may be caught in state waters year-round, but they’re not as easy to find within 9 nautical miles of shore in the Gulf. Where: Federal waters are beyond 9 nautical miles of Texas shores.įederal Regulations: bag & size limits allow each angler to keep two red snapper daily that measure at least 16 inches in length.Ĭharter Season: Red snapper season in federal waters for anglers fishing from party and charter vessels opened June 1 and runs through Aug. 5 in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. What: In Texas, the 2019 federal Red Snapper Season for anglers fishing from private vessels opened June 1, and runs through Sept. If I don’t know the answer, I know where to find it. If you have questions, or need more information, contact me at I’m happy to help. So, if you plan to target them, you should know the rules, which might seem complicated at first. This year, Texas anglers can catch these hard-fighting pink fish all summer long in federal waters.īut red snapper remain highly regulated. At its lowest point, in 2017, the season was down to three days.īut it seems those days are gone.

Snapper also is one of the most highly regulated fish in the Gulf of Mexico.įor about a decade, the federal snapper season was steadily shrinking after years of overfishing. And they’re easy to catch offshore of Corpus Christi. Red snapper is one of the favorite offshore species anglers like seeing on their hooks, as well as their plates.

Red snapper season texas