Gray Snapper

Season in Florida Keys

Peak months: Jun, Jul, Aug.

FWC Where to Saltwater Fish: mangrove snapper summer (Monroe); FWC: spawning June to August. Florida Sportsman: on taller patch reef structure. Florida Museum: adults feed at night. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Taller patch reef structure (Florida Sportsman), bridges, channels and mangrove edges; adults feed mostly at night (Florida Museum).

Tight to structure: rocks, pilings, docks, mangrove edges and reefs.

What to look for

Schools holding beside structure by day; bridge and dock lights at night.

What to throw

Jighead with a scented soft-plastic shrimp or mullet (Gulp style)1/4 to 1/2 oz, 3 to 4 in. Slow drag and hop on the bottom with pauses; scent does the work.

Bait

Live shrimp, Small live pilchards. .

Leader

Common mistakes

• Fishing open sand away from structure
• Fishing only at midday; adults feed mostly at night (Florida Museum)

Landing

Pull a hooked fish away from the rocks or pilings quickly, then swing small fish up.

Handling

• Two large canine teeth in the upper jaw (FWC)

Grip behind the head and unhook with pliers; keep fingers out of the mouth.

Keep or release

Size and bag rules differ by state and between state and federal waters; see the regulations file.

Recipes for gray snapper

Typical: Rarely over 18 in (Florida Museum). Large: Common to 24 in and 10 lb; offshore fish commonly 8 to 10 lb (FWC).

Limits

FishOS has not checked the FL limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you keep a fish.

Sources

• Florida FWC: Where to Saltwater Fish (species and seasons by county, Nassau to Monroe) (Official source)
• Florida FWC species profile: gray snapper (Official source)
• Florida Sportsman (David A. Brown, Nov 2024): patch reef fishing close to the Florida Keys (Angler knowledge)
• Florida Museum, Discover Fishes: gray snapper (Official source)

All the fish of Florida Keys