Tasty and feisty, Red Snappers are among the most sought-after fish species in Florida. Naturally, almost all Florida fishing charters specialize in pursuing them. Red Snapper fishing is simply the event of the year in the “Sunshine State.” Unfortunately, angling opportunities are limited. To curb overfishing, the authorities have introduced strict management measures.

The Gulf season runs in summer for about 60 days and a couple of weekends in October, and again in November for Thanksgiving and Veterans Day. Fishing on the Atlantic side is a year-round activity in state waters, but Red Snappers are scarce here. The most impressive specimens abide in federal waters, but the season there lasts only between 2 and 3 days.

Bear in mind that the season may close earlier if the quota is reached, so if you want to go after a Red Snapper, book your Florida fishing charter in time. A full day trip gives you enough time to hit the hotspots and battle these picture-perfect fighters. Red Snappers are bottom dwellers, so bottom fishing around reefs will be the name of the game.

With Red Snappers inhabiting temperate waters, the best place to target them will be off the Panhandle in the Gulf. Volusia County and Treasure Coast are known to be solid fishing grounds on the Atlantic side, while the lowest concentrations of Red Snappers are in South Florida.