Alabama Red Snapper Season: The Complete Guide for 2025

Red Snapper are a shining symbol of Alabama‘s incredible fisheries. The sprawling artificial reef system off the state’s coast provides the perfect habitat for these delicious and elusive fish. Of course, the one caveat is that they’re heavily regulated! But fear not. In this article, we’ll provide you with all the information you’ll need about the Red Snapper season in Alabama.

Besides the regulations themselves, we’ll cover a few ways to target Red Snapper, as well as where to go to get in on the hottest bite. When you’re ready, read on!

Alabama Red Snapper Season, Size, and Bag Limits

When it comes to Red Snapper fishing in Alabama, there are two different seasons you should take into account – the state and federal seasons. Both seasons are based on quotas and assessments of Red Snapper stocks in the Gulf of Mexico.

This year, however, the situation is different. We’re excited to share the latest news with all Alabama Red Snapper fans – Alabama Red Snapper state and federal seasons will open on May 23 and run seven days a week until June 30!

We bet you didn’t expect that, did you? Neither did we. Ever since 2017, the Red Snapper season in Alabama has followed a “weekend-only” format. So, the newly announced 7-day-a-week format has been a pleasant surprise for everyone who is planning to fish for Red Snappers in Alabama this year!

But that’s not all! The angling doesn’t cease once the 7-day-a-week period ends. The season will transition to a 4-day weekend schedule starting on July 4, 2025, and it will run until the annual recreational quota is met. So, 2025 welcomes you with open arms to enjoy more Red Snapper angling opportunities in Alabama!

Size and bag limits remained unchanged for both state and federal vessels as in the previous year. You can keep two Red Snappers per person per day, as long as they’re at least 16 inches long.

Best Red Snapper Spots in Alabama

With thousands of reefs just a few miles offshore, all of Alabama’s coast boasts fantastic Red Snapper fishing. So rather than thinking about where the best angling is at, you should focus on the kind of activities and amenities you’d like your starting spot to have. Here are a few popular fishing hubs in Alabama:

• Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. The biggest charter fishing fleets in Alabama are located in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. This means that these two adjacent cities will give you the most variety in terms of who to book with. Naturally, you’ll also be in the prime location to catch your fill of Red Snapper, and there are plenty of activities and amenities to enjoy, too.
• Fort Morgan. Located a short ride west of Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan is another excellent starting point for Snapper fishing. It’s home to the historic fort, and the marina serves as a launch spot for local guides. Compared to the two cities to the east, Fort Morgan’s beaches are often less crowded, offering a more peaceful experience.
• Dauphin Island. Known for its stretches of white sand beaches, Dauphin Island boasts one of the most beautiful coastlines in the Gulf of Mexico. Of course, it also doubles as an excellent starting spot for Red Snapper trips. It’s connected to land by the Dauphin Island Bridge but you can also reach it by ferry from Fort Morgan.

If you’re curious about some specific fishing spots you can visit, the reefs off the coast of Alabama often bear the name of what lies sunken at the bottom. You’ll sometimes fish over army tanks, pyramids, sunken pipes, or drydocks.

Through a sponsorship program, many reefs are also named after the organizations that helped finance their construction. But what’s most important is that pretty much the entirety of Alabama’s artificial reef system is home to Red Snapper.

How to Catch Red Snapper in Alabama

Once you’ve located a prospective reef, catching Red Snapper becomes a breeze. Generally, you’ll be fishing in waters between 40 and 300 feet deep. You drop your bait down to the structure where these fish like to hide and wait for a bite. As for bait, cigar minnows, menhaden, and squid are among the most popular choices.

Compared to smaller specimens that use the reefs as shelter, big Red Snapper often lurk higher in the water column. So if you’re fishing for trophy-sized fish, your captain might chum the waters first to draw the fish closer to the surface. At that point, you’ll lower your bait slowly to mimic a swimming fish, and you can get ready for the strike.

Either way, you’ll need to choose the right charter captain to take you fishing. All local guides know where to go, and they’re all knowledgeable when it comes to catching Red Snapper. The main difference is that, as we mentioned, federally-licensed boats can go out every day during the federal season. Meanwhile, state-licensed vessels must adhere to the Friday through Monday schedule.

But besides that, rest is really all about the details. Focus on the amenities you’d like aboard your vessel, any additional services you may need, and the price point you’re comfortable with. What’s sure, though, is that just about every captain will know how to put you on the fish.

Red Snapper: Alabama’s Most Prized Catch

Although it has one of the shortest shorelines on the Gulf Coast, Alabama turns into a world-class fishing destination when the Red Snapper season opens. Its waters are tailor-made for catching these fish! So if you’re looking for a place to reel in your share of one of the most delicious species in the seas, look no further than the Heart of Dixie!

What’s your favorite place to fish for Red Snapper? Have you ever been fishing in Alabama during the Snapper season? Hit the comment section below and let us know!

Marko

From a young age, Marko has been a nature buff. His first contact with fishing came through his dad who’d take him to the Danube River. It’s where Marko got his basic angling education, landed his first catch (an Ide), and learned how to cook a mean fish stew. Marko also enjoys hiking, running, traveling, and writing about it all.