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Cubera Snapper

Lutjanus cyanopterus

Largest snapper species (to 125 lb). Targeted on wrecks/deep ledges in S FL, Keys, Bahamas, Caribbean. Late-summer spawning aggregations are well-known targets. Also caught in N Gulf wrecks/LA rigs.

In our regions

Louisiana GulfBahamas — Bimini & Grand BahamaBahamas — Abaco & AndrosSouthwest Florida — GulfBahamas — Eleuthera, Exuma & Cat IslandMiami & Keys — Atlantic side

Regulations

⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 31, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 12 of 12 regulations

LA_GULF

Louisiana — State waters (0–3 nm) · LDWF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 12″ TL (total length)

LA: 12" min, within 10-snapper aggregate.

MS_GULF

Mississippi — State waters (0–3 nm) · MS DMR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 12″ TL (total length)

MS: 12" min, within 10-snapper aggregate.

AL_GULF

Alabama — State waters (0–3 nm) · AL CNR-MRD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 12″ TL (total length)

GMFMC: 12" min, within 10-snapper aggregate.

NC_ATLANTIC

North Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · NCDMF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 12″ TL (total length)

Follows SAFMC.

SC_ATLANTIC

South Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · SCDNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 12″ TL (total length)

SC HB 219 (2025): state matches SAFMC federal.

GA_ATLANTIC

Georgia — State waters (0–3 nm) · GA DNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 12″ TL (total length)

Follows SAFMC.

BAHAMAS

Bahamas — Department of Marine Resources

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bahamas vessel limit: 60 lbs / 20 demersal. CIGUATERA RISK on large fish — release.

Ciguatera advisory on >10 lb fish.

FEDERAL

Federal Gulf (9–200 nm) — GMFMC

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 12″ TL (total length)

GMFMC: 12" min, within 10-snapper aggregate.

FEDERAL

Federal Atlantic (3–200 nm) — SAFMC

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 12″ TL (total length)

12" TL min. Within 10-snapper aggregate. East FL: 2 cubera >=30" max per vessel.

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 12″ TL (total length)

Within 10-snapper aggregate. Max 2 over 30" per harvester/vessel/day.

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 12″ TL (total length)

Within 10-snapper aggregate. Max 2 over 30" per harvester/vessel/day.

TX_GULF

Texas — State waters (0–9 nm) · TPWD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 12″ TL (total length)

TX: federal limits apply offshore.