Red snapper in Florida
Meet the species
Scientific name
Lutjanus campechanus
Overview
Offshore near structure. Juveniles are found over sand or mud bottoms.
Typical size
Up to 36 inches (35 pounds)
At a glance
- Regions
- Panhandle
- Water
- Saltwater
- Bait
- Cut bait & live pinfish/sardines
Florida fishing record
- Weight
- 46 lb 8 oz
- Location
- Destin
- Date
- Oct 1, 1985
- Angler
- Lane nichols III
- Type
- Florida state record
Record catch notes
46.5 lb; by lane nichols III; on 10/01/1985; at destin
When to fish
Good months
January–december
Season notes
Months mentioned in profile narrative (not a fishing calendar): jun, oct closed/REGS: FWC gulf private recreational red snapper 2026: summer daily may 22–jul 31, fall daily sep 1–oct 4 and oct 9–22 (plus later weekend/holiday schedule — verify). Atlantic has separate short season. Closed or poor months months outside primary gulf daily windows listed on regs page (aug gap and winter/spring). Always confirm current EO. Best-time months from FWC Where-to-Fish: peak months blank because FWC Where-to-Fish year-round mentions dominate, good months all. Peak ∅ good jan, feb, mar, apr, may, jun, jul, aug, sep, oct, nov & dec.
Where to fish
Florida regions
Panhandle
Water
Saltwater
Habitat
Offshore near structure. Juveniles are found over sand or mud bottoms.
How to catch
Snappers will take soft-bodied jigs & bucktails and spoons.
Bait
Cut bait & live pinfish/sardines
Lures
Snappers will take soft-bodied jigs & bucktails and spoons.
Videos
- How to catch red snapper · Open original
- Cut bait dumb dumb rig · Open original
- CCC · Open original
- Red snapper secret weapon [BEST BAIT] · Open original
- How to catch red snapper: the start to finish guide! Be prepared for snapper season +fishing spots · Open original
- How to catch 20 lbs red snappers 8 miles out. · Open original
- Video from tiktok.com (source title unavailable) · Open original
- Video from tiktok.com (source title unavailable) · Open original
Sources
- Myfwc.com (3 pages)
- Catchafloridamemory.com
- Floridasportsman.com (2 pages)
Fishing videos from local voices
- Fisher family adventures: filling the boat with 1000's of pounds of the most prized pulley ridge fish (uncut offshore fishing)
- Out N back fishing: RED snapper!, rhodan HD GPS anchor, trigger FISH, refreshed, porgy, black DRUM & destin Florida
- The offshore show: incredible MAHI MAHI almost pulled ME OVER!!! Dolphin fish - {catch & clean} louisiana EP2
- Two conchs sportfishing: two conchs adventures, fishing in paradise & season 5 episode 5
Information comes from the supplied source datasets. Check linked FWC regulations for current rules.