By Robert “Snapper” Lee

Anglers are taking advantage of the windows of fair weather

I just wanted to add a short note to let everyone know the fishing has been outstanding for grouper and snapper.

The red snapper season started a little slow due to rough seas. Charter captains waited patiently for Mother Nature to offer manageable weather.

The good weather reports finally started rolling in and the fleet set their sights on the prized American Red Snapper. Halfway to the August 25th season closure, the catches have been impressive. Big red snapper, many pushing the 20-pound mark, continue to provide steady action.

The trips that I was fortunate enough to be a part of iced limits in relatively short time spans. Red grouper limits also joined the red snapper in the ice bath.

Red grouper will be closing on July 20, 2023. If you would like to be part of the double limit trips you better sign up soon. Plenty of other fish will be available after the closure but if it’s red grouper you want, get out there soon.

Once the red snapper limit is secure and chilled, Captains will concentrate on scamps, black grouper, yellowtail snapper, mangrove snapper, cobia, blackfin tuna and wahoo just to name a few. There will be plenty to catch after the red grouper closure. Vermillion snapper are plentiful also and one of the best snapper to enjoy whole.

The fishing has been excellent, limits are coming over the rail on most, if not, all trips. The red snapper may not all be jumbos, but they are there for the taking.

Enjoy catching a limit of red snapper then bounce around various bottom structure to see what else the Gulf of Mexico has to offer.