Florida
What is red snapper? What to know about native fish as 2024 fishing season is announced
Red snapper season in the books for Atlantic anglers
2023 red snapper mini-season is done. How did yo do?
Ed Killer, Wochit
Get your prized fishing rods ready. It’s almost red snapper season!
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the record 103-day 2024 Gulf Red Snapper recreational season, breaking last year’s record of 87 days.
“I am proud to announce that this snapper season will be the longest season since our state took over red snapper management in the Gulf,” DeSantis said. “Florida is proud to be the Fishing and Boating Capital of the World.”
What is red snapper?
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, red snapper are “long-lived, early-maturing reef fish that are broadly distributed in the Gulf of Mexico.” They are also found along the eastern coasts of North America, Central America, and northern South America.
NOAA further details that red snapper can grow at a moderate rate, sometimes reaching 40 inches across and 50 pounds. Those in deeper waters tend to be redder than those caught in shallower waters.
When is red snapper season 2024 in Florida?
Those fishing from private recreational vessels or charter vessels will be able to participate in the 2024 Gulf red snapper season.
The 61-day summer season will begin on June 1 and continue through July 31. The 42-day fall season is the longest fall season since the beginning of state management and spans the following weekend dates:
- September 1–2 (Sunday through Monday of Labor Day Weekend)
- September 6–8
- September 13–15
- September 20–22
- September 27–29
- October 4–6
- October 11–13
- October 18–20
- October 25–27
- November 1–3
- November 8–11 (Veterans Day Weekend)
- November 15–17
- November 22–24
- November 28–30 (Thursday through Saturday of Thanksgiving Weekend)
How many red snapper can you keep per day in Florida?
State and federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico allow you to keep two Red Snappers, as per the FWC. The same goes for Atlantic Ocean state waters.
However, the limit is one Red Snapper per person in federal waters in the Atlantic.
Do I need a fishing license to catch red snapper?
No unless you plan to go out on your own.
If you plan to fish for red snapper in state or federal waters from a private recreational vessel, even if you are exempt from fishing license requirements, you must sign up as a State Reef Fish Angler (annual renewal required) at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
Can I keep the red snapper I catch?
Yes, as long as its within the legal size and in accordance with the latest rules and regulations. On the Gulf, the minimum size of your Red Snapper catch has to be 16 inches, while on the Atlantic side of Florida, there’s a 20-inch minimum.
What is the red snapper’s habitat?
Red snapper are generally found at 30 to 620 feet deep in the water. NOAA says larval red snapper swim freely within the water column while juveniles live in shallow waters over sandy or muddy bottom habitat.
As for adult snappers, experts explain they live on the bottom, usually near hard structures on the continental shelf that have moderate to high relief (such as coral reefs, artificial reefs, rocks, ledges, and caves), sloping soft-bottom areas, and limestone deposits.
Where is the best red snapper fishing in Florida?
The Fishing Booker highlights Pensacola as the best place for catching red snapper.
“Florida is one of the best states to catch yourself a couple of these beauties, and Pensacola tops the bill,” the fishing website writes. “The main reason is the large number of artificial reefs that attract all kinds of bottom dwellers. Red Snapper is the most prominent catch on offshore bottom fishing charters, where you can easily hook into a twenty-pounder.”
They also note the waters in the area get deep quickly, so you can get a snapper even in Pensacola Bay.
As for other places around Florida, the website noted these four sites:
- The Florida Panhandle – Specifically from Perdido Key, Pensacola, and Fort Walton Beach to Destin and Panama City
- Tampa
- Volusia County
- Treasure Coast
Florida
Florida high school football team pulls off miraculous touchdown to help win state championship
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A Florida high school state football championship finished with a phenomenal ending for one team and absolute heartbreak for the other on Saturday night.
Lake Mary High School was down six points with seven seconds left in the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 7A title game against Vero Beach. Noah Grubbs dropped back to pass and rolled to his right. He gained momentum and fired the ball, which was tipped and caught short of the goal line.
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A Lake Mary quarterback looks to throw in the FHSAA Class 7A state championship, Dec. 13, 2025, at Pitbull Stadium in Miami. (Crystal Vander Weit/TCPALM/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
As Vero Beach defenders tried to keep receiver Barrett Schultz out of the end zone, Schultz’s teammate Tavarius Brundidge Jr. came around and took the ball out of Schultz’s hands. Brundidge ran the ball into the end zone to complete the wild and chaotic play.
The touchdown tied the game, and Lake Mary would kick the extra point to win, 28-27.
INDIANA’S FERNANDO MENDOZA WINS 2025 HEISMAN TROPHY
A Lake Mary player in the FHSAA Class 7A state championship, Dec. 13, 2025, makes a catch at Pitbull Stadium in Miami. (Crystal Vander Weit/TCPALM/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
“I was just hoping and praying like everyone else that he was going to come down with the football and Barrett did,” Lake Mary head coach Scott Perry said, via TC Palm. “… We were just going to keep fighting and fighting until the final whistle.”
Vero Beach tried to run out the clock the best they could. The team decided to take a safety with 12 seconds left, and gave the ball back to Lake Mary.
A Vero Beach player is stunned after the FHSAA Class 7A state championship, Dec. 13, 2025, at Pitbull Stadium in Miami. (Crystal Vander Weit/TCPALM/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
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It was the first state championship for Lake Mary in its history.
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Florida
Gisele Bündchen and Joaquim Valente enjoy Florida day date on jet skis
Gisele Bündchen and her boyfriend, Joaquim Valente, soaked up the sun during a jet skiing date in Florida.
The model and the MMA athlete appeared in good spirits while on the water near their home in Surfside on Saturday.
They both stayed close to each other and sported life vests.
Bündchen, 35, appeared to be wearing a white one-piece bathing suit underneath her vest.
She accessorized with sunglasses and styled her hair in a ponytail.
As for Valente, he sported black swim trunks.
The couple, who have been romantically linked since 2023, enjoyed some quality time together after welcoming a son together in February.
While Bündchen and Valente have shied away from revealing too much about their infant, they recently took him out on a boat ride in September.
At the time, the former Victoria’s Secret model was seen cradling her son while her beau took the wheel.
Valente then adorably held onto their 10-month-old, as Bündchen watched in awe.
The health guru also shared a rare glimpse of her son alongside her 16-year-old son, Benjamin, in October.
The teenager adorably held onto his little brother while playing the piano.
Bündchen shares Benjamin and her daughter Vivian, 13, with her ex-husband, Tom Brady.
The exes were wed from 2009 to 2022.
The former NFL star also shares an 18-year-old son, Jack, with his ex Bridget Moynahan.
Florida
Florida Class 4A state championship: How to watch American Heritage vs. Jones
The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) football state championships continued last night down in Miami at Pitbull Stadium as the Raines Vikings upset the Northwestern Bulls for the the Class 3A state championship, provind the most exciting game of the week thus far. Another rematch from last year’s finals pits the American Heritage Patriots versus the Jones Tigers for the Class 4A state championship this afternoon. We preview the sixth of seven FHSAA state championship games as teams begin being crowned as champions of their classifications.
How to Watch American Heritage vs. Jones in Florida 4A state championship game
Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
Location: Pitbull Stadium in Miami, Fla.
TV Channel: NFHS Network
American Heritage Players to Watch
QB Leon Strawder: Strawder is making his second consecutive appearance in a state championship game, this time with a different team, however. The senior has thrown for 2,052 yards and 19 touchdowns.
WR Jamar Denson: Of the star-studded wide receiving corps for American Heritage, its Denson who has been Mr. Reliable thus far this season. Throughout the course of the season, Denson has hauled in 69 passes for 991 yards and 15 touchdowns.
WR Jeffar Jean-Noel: The Georgia Tech commit has been the second option behind Denson on offense, with Jean-Noel catching 57 passes for 795 yards and six touchdowns.
LB Dylan Bennett: Anchoring the front seven of the Patriots’ defense is the senior linebacker, who currently leads the team with 61 total tackles, 17 them going for a loss and five sacks.
Jones Players to Watch
QB Dereon Coleman: The Miami signee is as calm as they come in the pocket as the senior quarterback has thrown for 2,749 yards, 28 touchdowns and only three picks this Florida high school football season.
WR Larry Miles: Coleman’s favorite target to throw to is the Nebraska signee as the senior looks to end his high school career with a state crown. Miles has caught 88 passes for 1,111 and 10 touchdowns.
OL Xavier Payne: The 6-foot-7, 275-pound Colorado offensive tackle signee will have the job of making sure Coleman stands upright throughout the afternoon against American Heritage’s pass rush.
EDGE Frederick Ards: The 2027 four-star EDGE rusher for the Tigers has been superb, racking up 73 tackles, 13 for loss and 11 sacks.
Where to Watch the Florida Class 4A state championship on livestream:
You can watch the American Heritage Patriots take on the Jones Tigers starting at 12:30 p.m. ET on NFHS Network.
For Florida high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Sunshine State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of Florida.
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