Yellowtail snapper

US fish and state coverage

Ocyurus chrysurus

A state link is a recorded source association, not a catch guarantee or confirmation that targeting is legal. Check current regulations with the responsible state agency.

Peak months
Jun · Jul · Aug
Typical depth
70-120 reef edge typical Keys (FS); patches shallower ft
Typical size
Up to 30 inches (5 pounds)
Catch minimum
National record

See state records · Browse all fishing records

Biology, seasons and size reflect the canonical source record, which may contain Florida context. They are not state-specific guidance for every linked state. Missing fields remain unfilled.

Overview

Habitat summary
Coastal waters, mainly near coral reefs.
Diet
Feed on fishes and invertebrates.
Water type
saltwater

When to fish

Peak months
Jun · Jul · Aug
Good months
Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec
Seasonality
Spawn in mid-summer. · FWC Where-to-Fish best times (regional): Summer; Spring-early summer; Late winter-fall; Year-round; Winter-summer
Bite time of day
daytime in chum slicks
Best time of day
daytime in chum slick; evening partyboat trips also productive (FS)
Tide effect
current sufficient to stream chum
Preferred tide
N/A primary; current sufficient to stream chum
Tide notes
FS Keys yellowtail (Kelly/Adler/Mark/Bradeen): current fast enough to flow chum over reef structure is a must. Anchor upcurrent of marked reef (often 70–120 ft). Moon phases do not seem to make a difference per Capt. Scotty Mark (FS).
Moon phase preference
any (Capt. Mark: moon does not seem to matter)
Moon notes
FS Capt. Scotty Mark: moon phases don’t seem to make any difference for yellowtail.
Water temp notes
No FWC numeric preferred band. Tropical reef associate (FWC: mainly tropical waters). Keys year-round fishery; no agency °F band published.
Wind preference
light chop / cloudy water often preferred when clear
Wind notes
FS Bradeen: best conditions often include current behind boat and cloudy water or light chop (stealth). Strong wind complicates lightweight freeline presentations.
Pressure notes
Not yellowtail-specific in sourced materials.

Where to fish

Habitat summary
Coastal waters, mainly near coral reefs.
Habitat zone
nearshore
Fishing zone
nearshore
Structure types
coral reef · patch reef · reef edge · hard bottom
Water clarity salinity notes
Clear Keys reef water: light fluoro / no-leader when finicky; keen vision (FS). Full marine coral-reef salinity.
Current flow notes
Must have current to stream chum slick over reef; freeline bait at chum speed (no hang-up).
Typical depth
70-120 reef edge typical Keys (FS); patches shallower ft

How to catch

Techniques
chum heavily; freeline light fluorocarbon presentations
Reel type
spinning (light)
Drag gear notes
FS: 6.5–7.5 ft spin, 12–15 lb line, 15–20 lb fluoro (or no leader when finicky); #1–2 hooks; freeline. Circle hooks required with natural bait in many reef zones—check FWC lat rules.

Bait & lures

Preferred bait
small cut bait and live offerings in a chum slick
Preferred lures
tiny jigs freelined in chum
Bait dead
ballyhoo strips · bonito strips · shrimp · glass minnows · cut sardine
Lures
1/16–1/4 oz chartreuse/pink jigs tipped with bait

Size

Typical size
Up to 30 inches (5 pounds)

Records

Recorded catches retain their source scope; state and world catches are not national records.

state record evidence

Source context: Florida

Record type
florida state
Record weight lb
10.19
Record location
Ft. Myers
Record date
01/30/2015
Record angler
Jeff Bowles
Record catch text
10.19 lb; by Jeff Bowles; on 01/30/2015; at Ft. Myers

Browse sourced catches for this species

Related states & places

Place links are planning context, not proof of local species presence. Florida city links marked local context follow existing directory relationships, not catch reports.

Source-linked directories

Real local listings currently cover Florida only. Boat-ramp, charter and creator links below follow existing Florida species relationships. Bait-shop links are city context only, not species-targeting evidence.

Boat ramps — Florida

Selected examples from 729 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida boat ramps directory

Charter captains — Florida

Selected examples from 3 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida charter captains directory

Bait shops — Florida

Selected examples from 518 source-linked city-context records.

Browse the Florida bait shops directory

Fishing creators — Florida

Selected examples from 10 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida fishing creators directory

Related species

Navigation links share a recorded scientific genus or a source state and water-type grouping. This is not a claim of identical habitat or legal targeting.

Source evidence by state

Legacy Florida source profiles

LoveToFish is a national fishing guide. Fish species coverage spans all 50 states. Ramp, charter, bait shop, and creator directories currently cover Florida. Verify current local regulations with the responsible agency.