When can you catch yellowtail snapper in the Keys?
All year. The Keys tourism council grades yellowtail Good or Peak in every month, Peak from April to August, and FWC keeps it open year round at 12 inches total length, up to 10 within the 10-snapper total. Captains anchor up-current of the reef and drift baits back in a chum slick.
What yellowtail snapper are
NOAA calls yellowtail one of Florida’s most popular sport and food fish, especially in the Florida Keys. They typically weigh 2 to 5 pounds and measure 8 to 14 inches, up to 11 pounds, and live 6 to 14 years; adults hold over sandy bottom near deeper reefs in about 32 to 230 feet. They feed mostly at night. NOAA describes the meat as mild and sweet, medium-firm with medium flakes, and says the stock is not overfished.
When yellowtail bite
The Keys tourism council grades yellowtail Peak in April, May, June, July and August and Good in January, February, March, September, October, November and December. Key West Fishing Deals calls it the most consistent bite year-round, and Gulfstream says April to September is best on its party boat.
How Key West captains fish for yellowtail
Named by Gulfstream, Cora Beth, Low Tide, Wrecked, Blind Squirrel, Charter Boat Linda D, Key West Fishing Deals, Salty Goat, Shadow Caster, Laid Back, Conch ’N Around, Eva Marie and Florida Straits on their own websites or booking pages.
- Florida Straits Sportfishing anchors up-current of the reef and drifts a steady chum slick.
- Gulfstream starts a chum slick when yellowtail stack up behind the boat and fishes lighter lines back in the current; it puts the average at 1 to 3 pounds.
- Key West Fishing Deals anchors on patch reefs, ledges and wrecks in 30 to 90 feet with live and cut bait.
- Cora Beth’s five-hour reef trip targets yellowtail and other snappers within 15 miles of Key West.
- Low Tide Charter runs four and six-hour light-tackle reef and wreck trips for yellowtail.
Can you keep yellowtail snapper?
Reef-fish gear rules apply: a descending device or venting tool rigged and ready, and non-stainless steel hooks south of 28° north (FWC gear rules).
Every limit for every common Keys fish is on what fish you can keep.
| Rule | FWC, Keys state waters |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | 12 in TL |
| Bag limit | 10, within the 10-snapper total |
| Season | Open all year |
| Source | FWC: Yellowtail snapper |
Which trip to book for yellowtail
Any reef trip, including a half day or a party boat: seats ran $69.95–$99 and private half days $650–$1,199 per boat in the October 2026 scan. It is the best-value fish in the Keys for a cooler of fillets. See reef fishing and party boat fishing.
Read for this page on 6 October 2026: FWC: yellowtail snapper profile ; NOAA Fisheries: yellowtail snapper ; Florida Museum: yellowtail snapper .
Check it at the source
- FWC — Snapper regulations The reef fishery: yellowtail, mutton, mangrove and red snapper rules. Link checked 6 September 2026
Yellowtail snapper: questions
What is the size limit for yellowtail snapper in Florida?
Twelve inches total length, with up to 10 per person within the 10-snapper total, open all year, per FWC’s snapper page.
When is yellowtail snapper season in the Keys?
There is no closed season: FWC keeps yellowtail open year round. The Keys tourism council grades the fishing Good or Peak in every month, Peak from April to August.
How do you catch yellowtail snapper in Key West?
By anchoring up-current of the reef, chumming, and drifting small baits back on light line, the way Florida Straits and Gulfstream describe it. Yellowtail are wary, so lighter leader catches more.
Next step
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