The mangrove snapper are here. That means summer junior is here. I’m Captain Erik here at Fisherman’s Cove RV Resort with your weekly fishing report. These are those artificial reefs we installed back in February, and they’re so populated already. What a win! Good job, Fisherman’s Cove RV Resort. Look at this weather. We have got nothing but early spring. We’ll call it summer junior, it looks like over here. Great weather. The water clarity’s looking good. Look at these fish swimming around. See that? It’s mangrove snapper season over here at Fisherman’s Cove RV Resort, and look at that one. That’s a good-sized one! Holy Moly!
Mangrove snapper are a popular target for anglers in Florida due to their delicious taste and challenging nature. However, before you head out to catch some, it’s crucial to identify and understand the legal requirements for keeping them. Here is a photo so you can see the distinctive qualities.
Mangrove snapper (Lutjanus griseus) is a species of snapper found in the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, including the waters surrounding Florida. They are typically found in shallow, coastal waters and are known for their distinctive black stripes that run from their eyes to their tails. Mangrove snapper are also known for their sharp teeth and ability to put up a strong fight when caught.
There are specific regulations that anglers must follow when catching and keeping mangrove snapper. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) sets these regulations to maintain sustainable fish populations and protect the ecosystem. Mangrove snapper must be at least 10 inches long to keep them. This means that the fish must measure at least 10 inches from the tip of its snout to the tip of its tail. It’s important to measure the fish accurately and immediately upon catching it to ensure compliance with this regulation.
The bag limit for mangrove snapper in Florida is five fish per person per day. This means that anglers can keep up to five mangrove snapper per day as long as they meet the size requirement. It’s important to note that this is a combined bag limit for all species of snapper in Florida, so if an angler catches other species of snapper on the same day, it will count towards their total bag limit.
There is a seasonal closure for the harvest of mangrove snapper in Gulf of Mexico state waters (excluding Monroe County) from July 1 to August 31. During this time, anglers are not allowed to harvest mangrove snapper in Gulf state waters. This closure is in place to protect the spawning population of mangrove snapper during their peak reproductive season.
By correctly identifying mangrove snapper and following the size and bag limits, anglers can help ensure that these fish remain a healthy and abundant resource for years to come.
I’m Captain Erik, and we’ll see who’s here next week at the Fisherman’s Cove RV Resort weekly fishing report.
