For the first time in over a decade, Florida is managing the Atlantic recreational red snapper fishery at the state level under an Exempted Fishing Permit approved by NOAA Fisheries. The 2026 season opens Memorial Day weekend and runs 39 total days — a massive expansion from the 2-day window we got last year. Here's what every Jacksonville offshore angler needs to know.
For years, the federal red snapper season in the South Atlantic has been a single-digit window — sometimes 2 days, sometimes 3 — driven by federal stock assessments that the recreational fishing community has long pushed back on as overly conservative. The fish are abundant on the reefs. The math hasn't matched what anglers see on the water.
For 2026, NOAA Fisheries approved an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) that hands season management to Florida's FWC for the Atlantic stock. Florida used that latitude to open the longest red snapper season we've seen in this region in over a decade. Gov. DeSantis announced the expansion in early May; FWC followed with the specific dates.
The EFP is a test. If catch data over the 2026 season stays within scientific limits, this becomes the model going forward. If it doesn't, the season tightens back up. Either way: 2026 is the year you actually have time to chase red snapper.
Cross-check the current rules on the FWC Atlantic Red Snapper page before you head out. Mid-season changes are rare but possible — and the EFP framework adds an extra layer of "always verify."
Red snapper hold on hard structure in 60-150 feet of water along the South Atlantic shelf. The Jacksonville reef system gives local anglers a strong shot without running too far. The offshore spots mapped on our904 include a mix of natural ledges and artificial reef sites that consistently produce.
Browse all offshore spots on the map filtered by "Offshore" — every reef has GPS coordinates ready to plug into a chartplotter. The depth band field on each spot tells you which target zone it falls in (shallow vs mid vs deep).
This is bottom-fishing in 60-150 feet of water against hard-pulling fish that will run you into structure if you give them an inch. The offshore tackle profile covers the full setup, but the headlines:
If you're new to bottom fishing, the conventional setup is easier to muscle a fish out of structure — that's why most charter captains run conventional for snapper. Spinning works at the lighter end if you're targeting smaller reef fish too.
One fish per angler isn't a freezer-filling trip — it's a target-the-good-ones trip. Aim for the 24-30 inch range if you can be selective. Bigger fish get released; smaller fish go back too. Keep your one keeper iced immediately and clean it the same day if possible. The fillets are clean white meat that takes well to grilling, blackening, or a simple panko crust.
For offshore trips out of Jacksonville, the map's boat ramp layer shows 20 public ramps. The headliners for offshore access:
Memorial Day weekend boat ramp traffic is intense even in normal years. With the snapper opener landing on Friday May 22, expect every Mayport ramp to be full by 6 a.m. all weekend. Plan early arrivals, leave time for the line, and consider weekday trips during the rest of the May 22 - June 20 window if you can.
The October weekends will be calmer at the ramp and the weather is typically excellent. If you're picking one window to fish, October is the more comfortable bet.