Best Times & Seasons to Catch Snapper in Florida (A Guide)
The various snapper species are some of the most sought-after gamefish in Florida waters. Knowing the best times and seasons to target snapper in Florida can really help you catch more and larger fish.
The best times to catch mangrove, mutton, and red snapper in Florida coastal waters are from May through the beginning of September near reefs, wrecks, and rocky ledges.
Snapper are the most active when the water is warmer and the best fishing is in Florida waters during the summer months. Snappers bite well in the morning and in the afternoon. It’s recommended to target snapper on flats, near coral reefs, wrecks, and rocky ledges.
Florida Snapper Species: Best Times
Red Snapper
The best months to target red snapper in Florida waters are May – July and September – October. The worst months to catch red snapper in the area are January – April and from November – December. Red snapper feeds actively in the early morning and in the evening.
Red snapper bites well on shallow flats and near reefs during an incoming tide. It’s also possible to target red snapper in shallow bays and on sandbanks during an outgoing tide. Red snapper is active when the water temperature is 50 – 70°F. However, the best water temperature for red snapper fishing is 58 – 62°F.
Mutton Snapper
The peak fishing season to catch mutton snapper in Florida starts in the late spring and ends in the latter part of summer. The worst months to target mutton snapper in the region are January – April and September – December.
Mutton snapper fishing is the most productive during morning and evening hours. Slack tide is the best tide to catch mutton snapper in the region. The ideal water temperatures for mutton snapper are 60 – 70°F.
Mangrove Snapper
Mangrove snapper is active in waters near Florida throughout the year. There is no bad time to target mangrove snapper in the local waters. The best months to fish for mangrove snapper in Florida are July – August.
Anglers should target mangrove snapper in the early morning and in the evening. Mangrove snapper feeds actively in the region during falling tides. The optimum water temperature for fishing mangrove snapper is 58 – 62°F.
Best Seasons for Florida Snapper (by Region)
Florida Gulf Coast
The shorelines of the Gulf Coast are the right place for anglers who are interested in targeting big snapper. The best time of the year for snapper fishing in Florida Gulf Coast is from June – July. Florida Gulf Coast is home to red snapper, mangrove snapper, and mutton snapper.
Mangrove snapper and mutton snapper can be found in depths of 15 – 200 feet. Red snapper should be targeted at around depths of 150 feet. There are many places where anglers can target snapper in Florida gulf coast. It’s possible to catch snappers on Pensacola Beach, Pompano Beach, Florida’s western panhandle, and the Gold Coast.
Florida Atlantic Coast
Red snapper is the main target for Florida’s Atlantic Coast anglers. Red snapper is abundant in the waters of Florida’s Atlantic Coast. The red snapper fishing season is between June and July and between October and November.
According to the local fishing regulations for red snapper, an angler is allowed to catch only 2 fish per day. The regulations allow anglers to keep red snappers that are at least 20 inches long.
Florida Keys
Different types of snappers can be found in the waters around the Florida Keys. Fishermen can target mangrove snapper, mutton snapper, and red snapper in the region. It’s possible to land a trophy snapper in the area.
Anglers prefer to go into the deep waters and use bottom fishing techniques to catch snappers in the Keys. Snappers are active in the local waters throughout the year. So, there is no bad time to target snapper. Reefs and wrecks attract snappers in the early fall.
I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.
Recommended Snapper Fishing Guides/Charters in Florida
These Florida-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great snapper action among other species. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Florida Panhandle Charters | Panama City Beach, FL |
| 850 Fishing Charters | Destin, FL |
| Executive Saltwater Charters | Shalimar, FL |
| Who Cares Fishing Charters | Port Orange, FL |
| Sea Dancer Charters | Jacksonville, FL |
| Hillbilly Hookers Charters | Key West, FL |
| Bait House Charters | Clearwater, FL |
| We’re On Charters | Panama City Beach, FL |
| All Points Guide Service | Cape Canaveral, FL |
| My Chance Charters | Destin, FL |
| Reel Way Fishing Charters | Pensacola Beach, FL |
| La Costa Charters | Treasure Island, FL |
| PCB Water Adventures | Panama City Beach, FL |
Night Fishing Florida Snapper
Snappers feed actively during night hours. Traditionally, fishermen target mangrove snapper as well as mutton snapper in the waters around Florida at night. These snapper species bite best during nighttime. Night snapper fishing trips last for 10 hours.
Summer is the best time of the year to do night snapper fishing in Florida. It’s more comfortable to fish for snappers at night in summer. When fishing for snapper during night hours, anglers can avoid the summer heat. But most importantly, night snapper fishing trips in Florida are very productive.
Mangrove snapper is the most active between June and August. That’s why it’s recommended to target mangrove snapper at night during the summer months. Night fishing for mutton snapper is better in summer than at any other time of the year.
Moon phase has an impact on night snapper fishing in Florida. Snapper fishing is best around the new moon and the full moon. Fishing for snappers is good a week before and a week after the new moon as well as the full moon.
Snappers may not bite until 11:00-12:00 during the other moon phases. That’s the reason why anglers should start their trips a few hours later during such moon phases. By doing so, they will manage to get the most out of night snapper fishing in Florida.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Pensacola, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Panama City Beach, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Clearwater, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish for snapper in Texas, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best time to catch pompano in Florida, check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch sheepshead in Florida, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch king mackerel in Florida, check out this guide. Click here for a breakdown of the best weather for grouper.
