by John Jefferson
The red snapper fishing season in federal waters off the Texas Coast closes November 21, 2025, at 12:01 a.m.
But don’t get confused and forfeit good fishing time. There are two areas of saltwater along the Texas Coast. The State regulated waters are the first nine (9) nautical miles extending out from shore. Beyond that, the Gulf is regulated by the National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) out to 200 miles. ONLY the federal waters will close on Nov. 21. Anglers can still catch and keep snappers now and until Nov. 21.
You’d better hurry if you want to fish federal waters this season! The limit there is two snappers, each at least 16-inches long.
But Wait! The state regulated first nine nautical miles out from shore will remain open until the official Texas toll of harvested snappers is met. Notice of that closing will be made public by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).
The limit in state-regulated waters (out to nine miles from the coast) is the more liberal Four Snappers, each at least 15-inches long! But If you fish Federal waters before the season closes and catch two legal length snappers and then motor back into the state regulated waters, those two Federal Water-fish count toward the four fish state limit.
And some occasional anglers might confuse the red snapper regulations with the Red Drum (redfish) regs, which allow three redfish at least 20-inches long and no more than 28-inches in length. There is no closed season on redfish as there is for red snappers. And a couple of exceptions to the 28-inch maximum redfish length exist. One is to attach the Red Drum Tag from your Texas fishing license. That tag is issued when you buy the saltwater fishing endorsement.
The other exception is a Bonus Red Drum Tag which can be purchased from any TPWD office.
Recreational anglers must possess a Texas fishing license with a saltwater endorsement to land fish in state or federal waters. If digital tags are used, they must be reported using the Texas Hunt & Fish mobile app in lieu of affixing tags to the fish. See Digital Licenses and Tagging in the online TEXAS Outdoor Annual for more information.
Probably the best place to see a red snapper and a red drum is at Sea Center Texas, the saltwater aquarium and fish hatchery operated by TPWD in Lake Jackson. Families and individuals have free entry, but reservations are required for large groups. Hours of operation are 9-4 on Tuesdays- Saturdays and 1-4 on Sundays. The center is closed on Mondays.
The appearance difference between red snappers and Red drum (AKA redfish) is usually easy to see. Red snappers are – well — red in color. Redfish, on the other hand, are a duller shade of red, actually more approaching bronze than red, and have a distinctive black spot on their tails. Sometimes there is more than one spot. Both red snappers and red drum are excellent eating and highly sought after.
JJ
