Where and when do you catch mutton snapper in the Keys?
On deeper patch reefs, reef edges and wrecks, with live or cut bait near the bottom. FWC keeps mutton snapper open all year at 18 inches, five per person within the 10-snapper total. The Keys tourism council grades it Peak in April to June and again in November and December.
What mutton snapper are
The Florida Museum gives the average mutton snapper as 20 inches, and says they may live up to 40 years. Large adults live on offshore reefs and rock rubble in roughly 80 to 310 feet, while juveniles live inshore. FWC says they feed on fish, crustaceans and snails and spawn in July and August, and the Florida state record, 30 pounds 4 ounces, was caught near the Dry Tortugas. The Florida Museum notes they spawn at the same site on the same lunar days year after year.
When mutton snapper bite
The Keys tourism council grades mutton snapper Peak in April, May, June, November and December and Good in January, February, March, July, August, September and October. Operators do not agree on one season: Gulfstream says May to July, Laid Back points to a spring run in May and June, and Blind Squirrel says muttons “grow thick” as the water cools toward winter. FWC gives the spawn as July and August. Ask the operator about the week you are coming.
How Key West captains fish for mutton snapper
Named by Gulfstream, Cora Beth, Low Tide, Blind Squirrel, Florida Straits, Charter Boat Linda D, Captain Conch, Key West Fishing Deals, Salty Goat, Shadow Caster, Laid Back, Conch ’N Around and Eva Marie on their own websites or booking pages.
- Florida Straits Sportfishing fishes live and cut bait near the bottom, timed to the tide when muttons move onto the reef edges; deeper wrecks hold them too.
- Gulfstream finds them on deeper patch reefs and puts its average at 5 to 15 pounds.
- Key West Fishing Deals runs May-to-August night trips and calls muttons larger and harder to fool than other snapper.
Can you keep mutton snapper?
Reef-fish gear rules apply: a descending device or venting tool rigged and ready (FWC gear rules).
Every limit for every common Keys fish is on what fish you can keep.
| Rule | FWC, Keys state waters |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | 18 in TL |
| Bag limit | 5, within the 10-snapper total |
| Season | Open all year |
| Source | FWC: Mutton snapper |
Which trip to book for mutton snapper
A reef and wreck trip; six hours gives time for the deeper spots. Private three-quarter days ran $900–$1,500 per boat in the October 2026 scan, and party boats such as Gulfstream catch them too. See reef fishing.
Read for this page on 6 October 2026: FWC: mutton snapper profile ; Florida Museum: mutton snapper ; IGFA game fish database .
Check it at the source
- FWC — Snapper regulations The reef fishery: yellowtail, mutton, mangrove and red snapper rules. Link checked 6 September 2026
Mutton snapper: questions
What is the size limit for mutton snapper in Florida?
Eighteen inches total length, five per person within the 10-snapper total, open all year, per FWC’s snapper page.
When is the best time for mutton snapper in Key West?
Sources differ. The Keys tourism council grades it Peak in April to June and in November and December; Gulfstream says May to July; Blind Squirrel says winter. FWC gives the spawn as July and August. Ask your operator what is biting the week you go.
How big do mutton snapper get?
The Florida Museum gives an average of 20 inches; FWC says up to 30 inches and 25 pounds. The Florida state record is 30 pounds 4 ounces, caught near the Dry Tortugas.
Next step
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