Top 10 Red Snapper Spots

Top 10 Red Snapper Spots

The Gulf of Mexico is the best and most popular red snapper fishery in the U.S., if not the world. With the federal red snapper season dates just announced, it’s time to lock in the dates you want for the summer.

On top of the short season, new federal guiding permits haven’t been issued since 2003, which means the total number of guides is capped. In other words, the sooner you book, the better your chances are of finding a guide. Make the most of the 2022 red snapper season by heading to one of the top ten spots in the Gulf.

Texas Red Snapper Spots:

South Padre Island

South Padre Island is one of the southernmost parts of the Texas coast, which means deep water is closer to shore. Fishing deep water holes and reefs gives you the best chance at catching a giant. As an added bonus, shorter travel times mean more time spent fishing.

Galveston

Galveston is one of the most popular fishing hubs on the Texas coast, with an almost endless list of charters to choose from. With so many guides, finding a trip can be a little easier. The abundant offshore structure means finding a productive spot shouldn’t be a problem either.

Port Aransas

Sitting on the barrier island between Corpus Christi Bay and the Gulf, Port Aransas continues to be a top spot in Texas to head offshore. Port A has gained its reputation for incredible offshore and red snapper fishing because it has direct access to the Gulf. Being on the southern half of the coast, the deep reefs and rigs are only a short boat ride away.

Louisiana Red Snapper Spots:

Venice

Venice is best known for incredible opportunities to catch yellowfin tuna, but it also happens to be a great spot to find red snapper. Located on the Louisiana delta that stretches out into the Gulf, Venice is 75 miles south of New Orleans, giving it a considerable head start when heading to offshore and red snapper fishing spots.

Grand Isle

Similar to Venice, Grand Isle is about 50 miles south of New Orleans and is located on one of the barrier islands separating the bays and marshes of the Louisiana Coast from the Gulf. Grand Isle has direct access to the deep rigs, reefs, and wrecks that are prime spots to catch red snapper.

Mississippi Red Snapper Spots:

Biloxi

Thanks to an abundance of offshore reefs, Biloxi is known for its red snapper trips. The Mississippi Coast benefits from being between the rich waters of the Mississippi River and the abundant reefs and deep water structures. This combination draws in unbelievable schools of baitfish that support huge red snapper.

Alabama Red Snapper Spots:

Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are perfectly located at the mouth of Mobile Bay, which gives it easy access to the Gulf and more than 1,100 square miles of reefs. Gulf Shores also happens to be located in a spot where the continental shelf pushes closer to shore. With deep water and plenty of reefs, Gulf Shores is one of the best destinations in the Gulf to target red snapper.

Florida Red Snapper Spots:

Pensacola

Pensacola has prime snapper habitat and deep water only a short ride from the docks. Located just east of Gulf Shores, Pensacola has similar access to reefs, structures, and deep water, but with cleaner water. This creates top-notch fishing opportunities with an environment that is ideal for red snapper.

Destin

The closest area to the continental shelf lands in Destin, which means the best deep-water red snapper spots are easily accessible. The prime location is one of the key reasons Destin is such a well-rounded and productive fishery. If you want a vacation and a world-class fishing destination, Destin is perfect.

Tampa

Tampa is an anomaly because it’s a long way from the continental shelf, but red snapper can be caught from just outside the bay to the offshore reefs. A variety of currents, shipwrecks, and reefs make the nearshore waters an excellent place to target red snapper. Tampa Bay is one of the few places that has a consistent red snapper bite all summer long.

Red Snapper Season

Taking a trip to any of the top 10 spots will put you on some of the best red snapper fishing in the country. With a set quota, the federal red snapper season is fairly short, so make sure to book the dates you want before they fill up.