Why a longer red snapper season is ‘one of the most exciting times’ to fish in Florida
On Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the 2022 recreational red snapper season for the state of Florida.
The season, which will total 57 days, will be split between the summer and fall.
“Snapper season is one of the most exciting times to be fishing in Florida, and I am excited to announce the longest season since the state took over management of red snapper,” said Gov. DeSantis.
“People travel from all over to enjoy the recreational opportunities we have in Florida that can’t be found anywhere else. Florida is proud to continue providing access and opportunities to all who want to experience the Fishing Capital of the World.”
The summer season will be 45 days, starting June 17 and ending July 31. Additional weekend days in October on the 8-9, 15-16, 22-23 as well as November 11-13, 25-27 were decided on.
Federally permitted, for-hire charters are awaiting an official 2022 red snapper season as well, and new offshore captain Brian Rubey said he can’t wait.
“They’re everywhere, and they’re big,” said Rubey. “You can’t go out there and try to jig fish for mangrove snapper because sometimes all you catch is red snapper. When it’s finally season I’ll be spending most of my time in 180 to 200 feet of water.”
For Rubey, he’ll be using the season to help pay off the newly founded business Saltwater Cowboy Offshore Fishing Charters. After upgrading to a bigger boat, the cost to get federal permits, class A life jackets, vessel monitoring system and other boat improvements, he’s ready to recoup.
“Everything these days is expensive. We use a lot of gas, bait and ice on trips too. Luckily the fishing has been really good so you don’t need to run really deep all the time. The last few weeks we’ve been getting big red grouper in 112 feet, just tanks,” he explained.
“But when we run deeper that’s been great too. We went 130 miles last weekend and got on some big tilefish and a giant yellow-edge grouper on 25-pound test in 600 feet of water. That fish was hooked on a jig and rocked up for about 5 minutes. Eventually it came out and Alex Pearson worked it up.”
The other few good days of weather allowed Rubey to check out some spots around 180 feet as well. One was loaded with gag grouper, which are currently out of season.
“We sent down three baits and got three fish over 30 inches. The fourth bait was another big gag grouper over 40 in. We picked up and left because I didn’t want to sit there and kill fish. They were fired up.”
Gag grouper, as well as red snapper, are some of the tightest regulated and most closely monitored species in the Gulf of Mexico. As of now gag grouper season is still set to be June 1 to Dec. 31 for this year, but talks about a shorter season are often discussed.
“I think that 2022 will stay like it’s been and then it’ll be shorter in 2023,” Rubey said. “Luckily for us we’ve got so many options with other species to target whether it be for fun or for food.”
