Best Times & Seasons to Catch Snapper in Texas (Full Guide)
The various snapper species are some of the most sought-after gamefish in Texas waters. Knowing the best times and seasons to target snapper in Texas can really help you catch more and larger fish.
The best times to catch mangrove, mutton, and red snapper in Texas coastal waters are from May through the beginning of September near reefs, wrecks, and rocky ledges.
Fishermen, who are interested in targeting snappers, should go fishing in Texas either in the early morning or in the afternoon. Flats, inshore, and offshore reefs attract snappers in the Texas state waters. Snappers can also be found in shallow waters. Anglers can catch snappers from shore as well. Check this guide to uncover the most fruitful fishing times in Texas.
Texas Snapper Species: Best Times & Seasons
Red Snapper
Red snapper fishing is good in Texas year-round. However, the best season to catch red snapper in the region starts in April and ends in October. Red snapper fishing is best during the summer months. The worst months to fish for snapper in the local waters are January – March and from November – December.
The federal red snapper fishing season starts in June in Texas. According to the local fishing regulations in Texas, anglers are allowed to catch 2 fish per person per day.
The best water temperature for red snapper is 58 – 62°F. Red snapper bites well at dawn and at dusk. Red snapper fishing is the most productive during incoming and outgoing tides. It all depends on where you are targeting red snapper.
Red snapper feeds actively during incoming tides on shallow flats and near reefs. However, it would be better to target red snapper during outgoing tides in shallow bays and channel entrances. In such places, red snapper bites well when the water level is dropping.
Anglers choose to target red snapper near reefs, structures, and wrecks. However, fishermen should go fishing in deep waters if they would like to land a trophy during a Texas fishing trip.
Check out this helpful guide to the best times to catch tuna in Texas. You may also be interested in this article on the fishing for Texas bass in the best times.
Mutton Snapper
The peak mutton snapper fishing season in Texas starts in the late spring and ends in the late summer. The best time of the year to catch mutton snapper in the local waters is between July and August. The worst months to target mutton snapper in the region are January – March and from November – December.
Anglers catch mutton snapper during morning and evening hours. It’s also important to note that mutton snapper feeds actively at night. Mutton snapper is active in slack water. It’s time when water is not rising and not falling.
That’s why it would be better to target mutton snappers during the low and high tides. The ideal temperature for fishing mutton snapper is 60 – 70°F. Mutton snappers can be found in depths of 80 – 300 feet.
Anglers should aim to search for mutton snapper near grass beds and mangroves in inshore waters. Mutton snapper can also be found near reefs and wrecks in offshore waters.
Mangrove Snapper
The mangrove snapper fishing season in Texas begins in the early spring and comes to an end in the late fall. Mangrove snapper fishing is getting better between April and October. However, the best time of the year to fish for mangrove snapper in the region is between the early summer and the early fall. Mangrove snapper is inactive during the winter months.
Mangrove snapper bites well in low light. So, it’s best to go fishing for mangrove snapper in the early morning and evening. The ebb tide is the best tide to target mangrove snapper.
Mangrove snapper is the most active when the water temperature is 70°F. It’s possible to fish for mangrove snapper along the entire Texas coast. Fishermen can target mangrove snapper in both inshore and offshore waters.
Bulkheads, jetties, and bridge pilings attract mangrove snapper in inshore waters. Mangrove snapper can be found near rigs and wrecks in offshore waters.
Recommended Snapper Fishing Guides/Charters in Texas
These Texas-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 |
| Galveston Offshore Charters | Galveston, TX |
| Nautilus Charters | Galveston, TX |
| Olivia J Charters | Freeport, TX |
| Fishswirl Guide Services | Corpus Christi, TX |
| Lancaster Sportfishing | Port Aransas, TX |
| SeaPlay Sportfishing | Galveston, TX |
| Always An Adventure Guide Service | Corpus Christi, TX |
| What’s On Fishing | South Padre Island, TX |
| Port Aransas Guide Service | Port Aransas, TX |
| Benny’s Guide Service | Port O’Connor, TX |
| Fish On Charters | Galveston, TX |
| 2k Fishing Addiction | Port Aransas, TX |
| Todds Sportfishing | South Padre Island, TX |
Best Seasons for Texas Snapper (by Region)
Texas Gulf Coast
The Gulf coast of Texas is the perfect place for anglers, who want to fish for snappers. Mangrove snapper, mutton snapper as well as red snapper can be found in the waters of the Texas Gulf Coast.
It’s possible to target snappers in the region throughout the year. However, snappers are the most active in the local waters during the hot summer months. So, the best time of the year to fish snapper in the region is between June and July.
Mangrove snapper can be caught at the bottom of the ocean. In the waters of the Gulf, snappers give preference to depths of 30 – 300 feet. It makes sense to target snappers near rocky reefs, oil rigs, wrecks, ridges, ledges, and artificial refuges.
Galveston, Freeport, and Port Mansfield provide anglers with easy access to some of the best snapper fishing spots on the Gulf coast of Texas. Here, it’s possible to catch good-sized snappers. Among the best places where anglers can target snappers are Rettilon Beach, Port Mansfield Nature Park, George Vancouver Liberty Ship Reef, Stahlman Park, and Moody Gardens.
South Padre Island
Mangrove snapper as well as red snapper can be caught in the waters near South Padre Island. Red snapper is active in the region year-round. The season to catch red snapper in the local waters is high between April and December.
However, the best time of the year to catch red snapper in the area is between July and October. The best months to target mangrove snapper in the region is January – July and from November – December.
Night Fishing Texas Snapper
Snapper fishing at night is very productive in the waters of Texas. Anglers have an opportunity to target mangrove snapper, mutton snapper, and yellowtail snapper during overnight trips. These snapper species feed actively at night.
Texas gives anglers an opportunity to have a productive night on the water. Oftentimes, fishermen catch large mutton snappers in the region during the nighttime.
It would be great to target snappers at night during the summer months. It’s not too hot and snapper species are active during night hours. The moon affects snapper fishing in Texas. Fishing for snappers is best in the region around the new moons and the full moons.
When fishing for snappers at night, anglers give preference to the places with rocky bottoms. It’s a good idea to target snappers on the reefs. Those anglers, who are interested in nighttime fishing, should visit Galveston. There are many fishing piers in the region. The piers attract anglers, who prefer to fish for snapper at night.
