Species guide · Texas
Red snapper fishing in Texas
Lutjanus campechanus, an offshore species also called American red snapper, sow snapper and chicken snapper. Listed for the Western Gulf region. Shoulder season, about 32 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in San Antonio, Mesquite, and Espiritu Santo Bays at 61, one of 9 Texas bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Shoulder seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Western Gulf
Shoulder season, about 32 more weeks- Jan: Shoulder season
- Feb: Shoulder season
- Mar: Shoulder season
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Peak season
- Jun: Peak season
- Jul: Peak season
- Aug: Peak season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: Shoulder season
Peak: May to Aug. In season (shoulder or peak): all year.
Research notes, Western Gulf region
Present year-round on rigs, reefs and banks; largest concentrations are off Texas and Louisiana in about 130-360 ft (GSMFC). Fish ride higher in the water column in late spring and summer. Regulatory: each Gulf state sets its private-angler season since 2020; Texas state waters are open year-round; federal for-hire opened June 1 in 2025.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 9
Texas bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's red snapper score this hour.
Best window today 7-10 PM (61) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (64) · 54 named spots
Best window today 7-10 PM (61) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 7 AM (62) · 8 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (60) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (62) · 51 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (62) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (67) · 61 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (62) · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 7 PM (64) · 37 named spots
Best window today 7-9 PM (59) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (61) · 2 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (59) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 9 AM (60) · 97 named spots
Best window today 7-9 PM (56) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 8 PM (59) · 5 named spots
Best window today 7-11 PM (54) · Best day Sun, Sep 20 at 8 PM (58) · 14 named spots
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 58°F to 86°F, best between 64°F and 80°F.
- Water depth
- 40 to 350 ft of water.
- Structure
- Reef, wreck, ledge, bank and pinnacle, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers moving water, with light current.Tide stage matters little offshore. Light current carries chum to the fish and lets baits hold near the structure; strong current makes it hard to stay on a small reef or wreck.
- Light
- Some lift around dawn and dusk; feeds at night too.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 20 kt of wind and 5 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Red snapper school over rigs, wrecks, artificial reefs and natural ledges, mostly in 60 to 250 feet. Anchor or drift over the structure, chum, and drop cut or live cigar minnows, sardines or squid on circle hooks, using as little weight as the current allows. Federal rules require circle hooks with natural bait in the Gulf and a descending device or venting tool on board.
- Methods
- bottom fishing, chumming, drifting, vertical jigging
- Lures
- butterfly jigs, bucktail jigs tipped with squid, flat-fall jigs
- Bait
- cigar minnows, Spanish sardines, squid, cut menhaden, live pinfish
Regulations
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Synced with TPWD Sep 16, 2026.
No reviewed red snapper rule for Texas is on file yet. Check with TPWD before you keep one.