Gray Snapper

Season in Space Coast

Peak months: Oct.

FWC Where to Saltwater Fish: mangrove snapper year-round (Volusia), winter to spring and fall (Brevard). Sebastian Inlet: keeper mangrove and schoolmaster snapper on the north seawall in October. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Sebastian Inlet north seawall between the jetty and the bridge, and the jetty rocks (Sebastian Inlet District).

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)
• Sebastian Inlet District fishing report (Snookman): week of October 21 (Angler knowledge)
• Florida Museum, Discover Fishes: gray snapper (Official source)
• Florida FWC species profile: gray snapper (Official source)

All the fish of Space Coast