Saltwater / Snapper
Red snapper
The deep-water favorite with two sets of rules.
Different limits depending on whether you're in state or federal water.
Recently changed
The federal-water season is reset every year. Check TPWD and NOAA before you go offshore.
Daily limit
State waters: 4 per day, open year-round. Federal waters: 2 per day, during the federal season.
Size limit
State waters: 15-inch minimum. Federal waters: 16-inch minimum.
Good to know
- Texas state waters reach 9 nautical miles from shore and stay open year-round. Past 9 miles you're in federal water; the 2026 private-angler season opened May 22 and closes only when TPWD announces the in-season date. Check the live page before every offshore trip.
- Fish caught in federal water count toward your Texas total - you may not have more than 4 while fishing.
- In federal water, use a non-stainless circle hook with natural bait and keep a descending device or venting tool rigged and ready when fishing for Gulf reef fish.
Source to confirm: TPWD Red Snapper
More saltwater fish
Others to target
Snapper
Lane & vermilion snapper
Smaller reef snappers with size minimums but no daily cap.
- Daily:
- No daily limit.
- Size:
- Lane: 8-inch minimum. Vermilion: 10-inch minimum.
Drum
Red drum (redfish)
Tightly managed with a slot limit and a trophy tag.
- Daily:
- 3 per day.
- Size:
- 20 to 28 inch slot (keep only fish between those sizes).
Trout
Recently changedSpotted seatrout (speckled trout)
A coastal staple with a tight slot to protect breeding fish after hard winter freezes.
- Daily:
- 3 per day.
- Size:
- 15 to 20 inch slot.
Flatfish
Recently changedSouthern flounder
Great on the table, and the one you can also gig at night.
- Daily:
- 5 per day - except November 1 to December 14, when the season is closed and you can't keep any.
- Size:
- 15-inch minimum.
Official sources
Fishing rules for red snapper come from Texas Parks & Wildlife. Confirm the size and bag limit before you keep one.
- Data vintage:
- Built on the 2025-2026 license year
- Last reviewed:
- July 10, 2026
- TPWD Red Snapper - Official page for this fish
- TPWD Saltwater Bag & Length Limits
- TPWD Fishing Regulations
Before you act: Sizes and bag limits change, and saltwater rules change the most. The official TPWD pages are the final word. How to use Texas Porch carefully.
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