reef

Schoolmaster Snapper

Lutjanus apodus

Common shallow-reef snapper around mangroves and coral in FL Keys, Bahamas, S FL, S Gulf. Targeted on light tackle. SAFMC/GMFMC-managed in snapper aggregate.

In our regions

Miami & Keys — Atlantic sideBahamas — Eleuthera, Exuma & Cat IslandBahamas — Bimini & Grand BahamaSouthwest Florida — GulfBahamas — Abaco & Andros

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: 10″ TL (total length)

LA: 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: 10″ TL (total length)

GMFMC: 10" 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: 10″ TL (total length)

Follows SAFMC.

GA_ATLANTIC

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

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

Follows SAFMC.

BAHAMAS

Bahamas — Department of Marine Resources

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bahamas vessel limit: 60 lbs / 20 demersal.

FEDERAL

Federal Gulf (9–200 nm) — GMFMC

Currently OPENOpen year-round

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

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

FEDERAL

Federal Atlantic (3–200 nm) — SAFMC

Currently OPENOpen year-round

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

10" TL min. Within 10-snapper aggregate.

SAFMC snapper-grouper complex.

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

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

Within 10-snapper aggregate.

TX_GULF

Texas — State waters (0–9 nm) · TPWD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

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

TX: federal limits offshore.

MS_GULF

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

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

MS: within 10-snapper aggregate.

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

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

Within 10-snapper aggregate.

SC_ATLANTIC

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

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

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