Red snapper season is back — what to know if you're booking a charter
The headline: Alabama opens recreational red snapper Thursday, on the seven-days-a-week schedule that has worked the past couple of summers. The Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement plus a saltwater license gets you on the water from a private boat. From a charter, the captain’s federal permit covers you.
This is the question we get every May, so let’s just put the answers on a page.
Is the season the same in Florida? No. Florida has its own state recreational season for snapper, federal waters are managed by the Gulf Council, and the dates don’t line up perfectly. If you’re fishing FL waters out of, say, Pensacola Pass, you’re under FL state rules until you cross the federal line. From an Orange Beach charter, almost everyone is fishing federal water anyway and the operator handles which license and which book applies. If you’re confused, the captain’s job is to un-confuse you.
Do I need anything if I’m booking a charter? Just yourself. The boat covers the license, the rods, the bait, the ice. Bring sunscreen, a hat, water, food, and a willingness to get on the boat at 5:30 a.m. You don’t bring beer for a fishing trip — most captains don’t allow it on the water and the ones who do, you don’t want to fish with.
How long is a snapper trip? It depends how far. A short half-day (4–6 hours) might work the shallower stuff and bottom-fish for vermilion / “mingo” snapper alongside reds. A full day (8 hours) gets you to the better snapper bottom. Overnight trips and “long trips” (10–12+ hours) get you to grouper and yellowfin water and aren’t really snapper trips — they’re “you go for everything” trips.
What’s a fair price? Six-pack charters (six anglers max) in the Pass run roughly $1,200–$1,800 for a half day, $1,800–$2,800 for a full day, plus tip. Walk the docks at Zeke’s or Sportsman or OB Marina the afternoon before you’re trying to book and ask. The captains aren’t shy about pricing and they appreciate a fisherman who shows up in person.
Bag limits. Two reds per person per day, 16-inch minimum. Captain or first mate keeps a fish on a federally-permitted boat (different rules apply). Don’t ask the mate to bend the limit. Don’t ice a 15.5-inch fish. The wardens are out and they check.
The forecast for the opener. Marine looks workable — south wind 10-15 dropping later in the week, seas 2-3 building Saturday. Translation: Thursday and Friday are the good days; Saturday gets a little snotty mid-morning.
If you’ve never fished snapper out of OB, this is the easiest fishery in the country to enjoy. Tight lines.
— Chris
