Discover the Largest Red Snapper Ever Caught in Florida

Florida is a paradise for a lot of reasons, not least of which is its outstanding fishing. Some of the most popular deep-sea fishing targets for anglers in the state include spectacular and large species. Examples are sailfish, marlin, tuna, goliath groupers, wahoos, mahi-mahi, amberjacks, kingfish, and sharks. But also, on the top 10 list of Florida’s most sought-after sea fishing species is the red snapper. This a popular species caught not just for recreation, but commercially. It has a reputation for its tasty flavor and can be prepared in a lot of different ways. In this article, you’ll discover the record for the largest red snapper ever caught in Florida. We also discuss what areas of the state are great launching points for red snapper fishing, along with regulations.

Red Snapper Description

The red snapper is a species of fish that gets its name from its red coloration and large canine teeth. They have short, rounded heads, blunt snouts, and big eyes. They typically grow up to 26 inches or so but can top 39 inches and 22 pounds. Around the world, red snappers come in multiple varieties and colors, including red, pink, and silver. And some have stripes. They tend to be darker red the deeper under the ocean they live. Juveniles have more vivid colors and may have a black spot that fades and disappears in time. Their coloration makes young red snappers popular as pets in ornamental aquariums.

Red snappers love the warm regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They are plentiful in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. They like to hang out around coral reefs and rock formations. These structures are rich in the foods they like, such as fish, crabs, shrimp, cephalopods, and zooplankton. Red snappers themselves are prey for bigger fish, turtles, and other marine animals, as well as human beings of course. They are not endangered. Governments regulate and limit fishing and growers farm them commercially.

Red emperor snappers are popular as aquarium pets and are reputedly not difficult to raise. The colors are beautiful in juveniles but become blander once they grow into adults. Keeping them in an ornamental tank can be a problem. Those that survive their first year can continue growing to be up to 2 feet long. Pet owners would then have to invest in a larger tank or rehome or release the fish.

So now that we’ve “gone there,” what does red snapper taste like? Their fans say they are nutritious and delicious, with a sweet, nutty flavor. As a result, they are quite a popular commercial fishing species, both as wild catches and farmed in fisheries. They are not endangered but fishing for them is regulated to prevent overfishing. They number about 118 million in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Largest Red Snapper in Florida

Red snappers are fished both recreationally and commercially. One of the main ways to fish for red snapper is with hook-and-line gear. Fishermen may also spear red snapper if they are close enough to the surface of the water or if the fishermen dive for them. Anglers can spear with simple tools or with a spear gun. This is how Skye Bailey, a freediving fisherman, speared a 16.5-pound and 29-inch-long fish while diving off the coast of Destin Florida. This was the largest red snapper ever in Florida!

Where was the Largest Red Snapper Ever Caught in Florida Located on a Map?

It’s no surprise that the largest red snapper ever caught in Florida was caught off the shores of Destin, Florida. Renowned as the “luckiest fishing village,” Destin is located close to the continental shelf and has access to some of the best offshore fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. The city of Destin is in the northern part of the state of Florida, in what is known as the “panhandle.” Destin borders the Choctawhatchee Bay on the north and the Gulf of Mexico on the south. It is situated between the cities of Fort Walton to the west and Panama City to the east.

How and Where to Fish for Red Snapper

Some of the popular areas to fish for red snapper in Florida are Destin, Panama City Beach, Key West, Santa Rosa Beach, and Fort Walton Beach. Remember the fishing season can differ from place to place and year to year, so check with local authorities about regulations. Florida limits bagged catches to two per person per day and they must be at least 16 inches long (no maximum). You’ll need a state fishing license to fish in Florida waters, and fishing charters need a federal permit to operate in areas designated as federal fisheries.

If you haven’t tried red snapper, maybe you’ll order it for your next seafood dinner. And if you’ve never been deep-sea fishing in Florida, maybe you now want to book a trip. Who knows? You might just blow the record out of the water for the largest red snapper ever caught in Florida!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/PicturePartners