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 25 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in Corpus Christi and Nueces Bays at 65, 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 25 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 9 PM-12 AM (65) · Best day Sun, Nov 8 at 4 PM (68) · 37 named spots
Best window today 9 PM-12 AM (62) · Best day Sat, Oct 31 at 9 AM (65) · 97 named spots
Best window today 9 PM-12 AM (62) · Best day Sun, Nov 1 at 6 PM (68) · 54 named spots
Best window today 9 PM-12 AM (66) · Best day Sun, Nov 1 at 5 PM (71) · 61 named spots
Best window today 9 PM-12 AM (61) · Best day Sun, Nov 1 at 6 PM (66) · 51 named spots
Best window today 9 PM-12 AM (59) · Best day Sat, Oct 31 at 6 PM (64) · 2 named spots
Best window today 9 PM-12 AM (59) · Best day Sat, Oct 31 at 6 PM (65) · 8 named spots
Best window today 9 PM-12 AM (58) · Best day Sun, Nov 1 at 5 PM (62) · 14 named spots
Best window today 9 PM-12 AM (56) · Best day Sun, Nov 1 at 6 PM (62) · 5 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 Oct 31, 2026. Rules shown verified Sep 13, 2026.
2 per day · Minimum 16 in, total length
Season: From May 22, 2026
Private anglers only. You need a Texas fishing license with a saltwater endorsement to land fish in Texas. You must also follow the rules of the state where you land. TPWD set this season for federal waters off Texas. It stays open until TPWD announces a closure; TPWD said it was still open as of September 1, 2026.
TPWD Outdoor Annual 2026-27, Snapper Bag & Length Limits · verified Sep 13, 2026
4 per day · 4 in possession · Minimum 15 in, total length
Season: No closed season on file
Open year-round in state waters. Do not hold more than 4 red snapper while fishing in state waters. Only circle hooks may be used with natural bait. Have a descending device or venting tool ready for reef fish showing signs of barotrauma. TPWD lists this state-waters season for private recreational anglers. Federally permitted charter boats and headboats stay under federal management. Red snapper is the exception to the double-the-bag possession rule: TPWD caps possession at 4, the same as the daily bag.
TPWD 2026-27 Outdoor Annual, Snapper Bag & Length Limits · verified Sep 13, 2026