Yellowtail Snapper: season, lures and limits

We picked these fish for Virginia Beach and the Chesapeake Bay mouth, VA, the region closest to Columbus, Ohio, based on the approximate location of your internet connection (IP geolocation, looked up on our own server). It is about 436 miles away; FishOS covers the coast from Maine to Florida and the Gulf of America, and adds regions as they are checked. Pick another region if that is not where you fish.

Fishing region

FishOS has not charted yellowtail snapper in Virginia Beach and the Chesapeake Bay mouth, VA. The regions where it is charted are below.

Where to find them

Patch reefs and reef edges over sand and hard bottom, in a chum slick.

Small groups swimming above the bottom around reefs (Florida Museum).

What to look for

Fish rising in the chum slick behind the boat.

Bait

Shrimp pieces, Cut squid, Sardine chunks. Split shot a few inches above the hook for a slow fall, adjusted for current, in a chum slick (Florida Sportsman)..

Leader

Common mistakes

Fishing without chum on the reef
Too much weight; let the bait fall slowly with the chum

Landing

Swing small fish in; net larger ones.

Handling

Unhook with pliers.

Keep or release

Ciguatera has been reported from this species but is considered rare (Florida Museum). Size and bag rules differ by state and between state and federal waters; see the regulations file.

Recipes for yellowtail snapper

Typical: unknown. Large: Up to 30 in but rarely over 5 lb (Florida Museum). Florida record 8 lb 9 oz (near Fort Myers).

Limits

FishOS has not checked the VA limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission before you keep a fish.

Sources

Florida Museum, Discover Fishes: yellowtail snapper (Official source)
Florida FWC species profile: yellowtail snapper (Official source)
Florida Sportsman (David A. Brown, Nov 2024): patch reef fishing close to the Florida Keys (Angler knowledge)

All the fish of Virginia Beach

Yellowtail Snapper