Connect with us

Florida

What is red snapper? What to know about native fish as 2024 fishing season is announced

Published

on

What is red snapper? What to know about native fish as 2024 fishing season is announced


play

Get your prized fishing rods ready. It’s almost red snapper season!

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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?

Advertisement

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



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Florida

Gators Add First OL to 2026 Recruiting Class

Published

on

Gators Add First OL to 2026 Recruiting Class


Long after being predicted to choose Florida and almost immediately after leaving his official visit, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy three-star interior offensive lineman G’Nivre Carr has announced his commitment to the Gators.

Carr (6-4, 325 pounds) is rated as the No. 39 interior offensive lineman in the 2026 cycle, according to On3.

The three-star announced his commitment after leaving his official visit with the Gators, the first official visit slated for Carr this summer. He had trips to Alabama on June 6, Georgia on June 13 and Tennessee on June 20 planned, but it remains to be seen if those visits will still take place.

Carr is the first offensive line commit and third overall in the Gators’ 2026 recruiting class, joining four-star quarterback Will Griffin, three-star defensive lineman Jamir Perez, who committed two weeks ago after his visit.

Advertisement

He is also the first of the 12 prospects currently predicted to choose the Gators to announce his commitment.

Florida holds predictions to land three-star offensive tackle Javarii Luckas, four-star safety Kaiden Hall, four-star running back Carsyn Baker, three-star offensive tackle Chancellor Campbell, four-star Louisville corner commit Jaydin Broadnax, four-star FSU receiver commit Darryon Williams, four-star linebacker Malik Morris, four-star defensive lineman Valdin Sone, four-star defensive lineman Vodney Cleveland, four-star defensive back CJ Hester and three-star tight end Kekua Aumua.

Florida Gators on SI is tracking all of the Gators’ major recruiting news, from commits to prospects of note to the official visit schedule, on our 2026 Recruiting Tracker.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Florida

Florida mom sparks fierce debate after allowing her kids to skip final week of school: ‘I don’t see the point’

Published

on

Florida mom sparks fierce debate after allowing her kids to skip final week of school: ‘I don’t see the point’


School’s out for summer a little early.

Patricia Horton, a mother of two in Florida, unapologetically pulled her kids out of the “last couple days” of school because she insisted there was no reason for them to go.

“I don’t see the point,” Horton shared in a viral TikTok video posted on May 22. “Most of the teachers would rather you keep your kids home anyway.”

Horton, whose children are 7 and 12, admitted her parenting style is very different from how she was raised.

Advertisement

“My parents, they made me go to school every single day,” Horton added. “Every single day, all the way to the very last day of school every year.”

Horton revealed that her parents would only let her miss class due to a doctor’s appointment or if she was extremely sick.

The mom argued that kids aren’t learning during the final days of class and implied that they were being put to work cleaning the school.

“I have cleaned a lot of desks,” Horton revealed while talking about her childhood experience during the final days of school. “That is what we did the last week of school when I was a kid. We cleaned desks, and we cleaned classrooms, and I was a professional at cleaning desks.”

Patricia Horton doesn’t think kids need to attend the final days of school. TikTok/mrshorton87

“I’m not doing that with my kids,” Horton added. “Stay home, baby, it’s summertime. Time to go.” 

Advertisement

Horton claimed the teachers have no problem with her decision.

“They always say, ‘It’s been great teaching your kid, and I hope you have a great summer,’” Horton told TODAY. “It’s never, ‘Oh no, you’re not going to come?’ They totally understand.”

Horton’s TikTok video on the topic went viral, sparking mixed reactions from teachers and parents. Irina Schmidt – stock.adobe.com

But Horton said she doesn’t force her kids to stay home and allows the duo the opportunity to attend classes.

“If my kids want to go to school, they are absolutely welcome to go,” Horton added. “If they want to stay home, I’m not going to make them go to school to sit there and maybe watch a movie.”

Horton received mixed reactions when she posed the question to her followers on how they handle the last week of school.

Advertisement

“I’m a teacher, and I hate when kids miss the last few days of school,” one TikTok user wrote. “We as a class have been a family for several months. Kids and teachers would like to say goodbye.”

Some social media users claimed that kids should go so they can say ‘Goodbye” to their teachers and friends. ake1150 – stock.adobe.com

“My kids would be SO disappointed if they missed the last few days,” another mom commented. “Splash pad, movies, field day, auctions… all on the last days. That’s the fun stuff they’ve waited all year for.”

One mom even joked that she made her kids go because “that’s the last little bit of my break.”

Others agreed that there was no reason to require kids to attend class.

“As a teacher, we aren’t doing anything fun,” a user confessed. “Sorry, we have checklists we have to get done, such as cleaning, seeing what things need repairs, etc. We don’t have parties or anything like that. It’s just babysitting at that point.”

Advertisement

“I did when they were in elementary,” another mom commented. “Middle School and High School don’t even take roll the last week. So they do not go.”





Source link

Continue Reading

Florida

NEXT Weather Alert: Strong to severe storms to hit South Florida

Published

on

NEXT Weather Alert: Strong to severe storms to hit South Florida



NEXT Weather Alert: Strong to severe storms to hit South Florida – CBS Miami

Advertisement













Advertisement



























Advertisement

Watch CBS News


NEXT Weather Meteorologist Lissette Gonzales has the lates weather timeline.

Advertisement

Be the first to know

Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.


Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending