2017 Gulf Federal Red Snapper Season the shortest in History
The 2017 Federal Red Snapper season has been announced and you aren’t going to like the news. As of May 2nd, 2017, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has set the Gulf of Mexico red snapper season at a whopping 3 days for private Anglers. This will be the shortest red snapper season in history. According to FB17-023 from the NOAA website, the starting date for both private anglers and federal for-hire vessels will be June 1, 2017, at 12:01 a.m. The closing dates are:
- June 4, 2017, at 12:01 a.m. for private anglers
- July 20 at 12:01 a.m. for federally permitted for-hire vessels
You Thought 9 days was a short season? Think Again. Here’s what you can do about it.Â
Don’t let a short snapper season get you down.
Take advantage of state seasons:
- Alabama- Friday, May 26, through Monday, July 31, 2017
- Florida- Saturday, May 27th, through Sunday, July 9th
Target other Species
Hire a Charter Boat
Whether you agree with it or not, federally regulated for-hire vessels have a much longer season to work with. Support local business and get out on one of the many charter boats that fish from Dauphin Island all the way to Port. St. Joe. You’ll have no trouble catching some huge red snapper and you can leave all the work to them.
The Red Snapper issue is a mess. I’m not going to sugar coat it and say that you should be optimistic. What I will say is to take some time to look around this beautiful coast of ours and see all the other outdoor opportunities we have. Go Flounder gigging, catch some mullet for a fish fry, or get a shrimp net and give it a pull. There are so many ways to make dinner on the gulf coast, don’t let the busybodies in Washington ruin that for you.
