LATEST UPDATE: On May 21, 2026, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia issued an order to put the Red Snapper season in the South Atlantic on pause that is effective immediately.
Anglers in the South Atlantic were finally about to have more than just a day or two to target these prize catches. In 2026, private anglers and for-hire operators were supposed to enjoy over a month of fishing in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida for Red Snappers.
On May 4, 2026, NOAA announced an extended recreational Red Snapper season for all South Atlantic states. Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina will share the same dates and a longer window to battle Red Snappers. Meanwhile, Florida’s season will be split into multiple time frames.
However, on May 21, 2026, one day before the season was set to start, it was paused!
The following paragraphs and sections on the season dates are what the initial announcement and season were supposed to be. It remains to be seen if the season will reopen soon.
Extended Red Snapper Fishing Seasons in the South Atlantic
Florida
After just two days of recreational Atlantic Red Snapper fishing in 2025, the 2026 season expands dramatically to a total of 39 fishing days! However, the season won’t run continuously. Instead, it’s divided into several windows.
The first part of the season will run from May 22 through June 20. The second season will take place in fall – but on weekends only. Anglers will have three consecutive weekends in October to target trophy Red Snappers before the season closes: October 2–4, October 9–11, and October 16–18.
Georgia
Georgia anglers and for-hire operators can enjoy a 62-day recreational Red Snapper season in 2026 – two full months longer than last year. The season will run from July 1 through August 31, giving anglers one long summer window to target Red Snapper off Georgia’s coast.
North Carolina and South Carolina
Like neighboring Georgia, the Carolinas’ recreational Red Snapper season will also last two full months, running from July 1 through August 31, for a total of 62 days. Again, this covers both anglers and for-hire operators!
Bag and Size Limits for South Atlantic Red Snapper Seasons
Florida
During the season, anglers can keep one Red Snapper per person, per day. This fish is included in the 10 Snapper-Grouper aggregate bag limit. Charter captains and crew cannot keep any Red Snapper catches. However, there is no minimum size limit.
Georgia
Georgia’s bag limit is also one Red Snapper per person per day. Charter captains and crew are not allowed to keep any fish, and there are also no minimum size restrictions currently.
North Carolina
While the Tar Heel State also doesn’t have a minimum size limit, there are some differing bag restrictions:
- Private vessels: One Red Snapper per person per day or a maximum of four Red Snappers per vessel per day.
- Charter vessels: If there are six or fewer anglers on a charter, the limit is one Red Snapper per person per day or a maximum of four fish per vessel.
- Headboats: If there are more than six anglers aboard a boat, the limit is one Red Snapper per person per day or 20 fish per vessel.
Keep in mind that the more restrictive limit is what always applies. Charter captains and crew may not keep any Red Snapper.
South Carolina
South Carolina follows the same bag rules as Georgia, allowing one Red Snapper per person per day, while charter captains and crew may not retain any fish. Unlike Georgia, however, South Carolina does enforce a size limit. Any Red Snapper that you intend to keep must measure at least 20 inches total length.
What do you think about the new extended and then paused Atlantic Red Snapper season? Hit the comment button below and join the conversation.
