Fishing blog ranks Texas above Coastal Alabama for best red snapper fishing

Red SnapperPhoto byCourtesy of the University of South Alabama

Baldwin County — which traditionally claims the title of “Red Snapper Capital of the World” — has been ranked second best for Gulf Coast red snapper fishing.

FishingBooker, an online fishing trip service, ranked Orange Beach and Gulf Shores in the second slot for its 2024 rankings for red snapper destinations, behind Port Aransas, Texas, a city located on the northern tip of Mustang Island.

No methodology or data were offered to justify or explain the rankings. The company cites Port Aransas’ nice beaches and “vibrant community,” along with red snapper fishing as close as 10 miles offshore. For the Alabama cities, the ranking recognizes Alabama’s 1,000 square miles of artificial reefs, the largest system of its kind in the U.S.

While Alabama only accounts for 5 percent of the Gulf Coast, it boasts one-third of all recreational red snapper harvests, which is expected to be more than 600,000 pounds this year. Anglers can find red snapper within nine miles of the state’s coastline.

The rankings were announced ahead of the opening of Alabama’s recreational red snapper season, which will kick off with a bang at 12:01 a.m. this Friday, May 24. Anglers fishing from shore, private vessels and state charters can begin harvesting the bright red fish in state waters after that time.

The state season consists of rolling four-day weekends, Friday through Monday, with the addition of the entire Independence Day week, July 1-5. Those openings will continue until the state’s recreational quota is exhausted. Last year, that was Oct. 17.

The red snapper bag, or “creel,” limit is two fish per person daily, with a 16-inch minimum slot.

All anglers 16 and older catching red snapper must have an Alabama saltwater fishing license, current saltwater angler registration and a Gulf reef fish endorsement. Every red snapper catch must be reported on the state’s portal known as “Snapper Check,” which can be accessed on the Outdoor AL app or at outdooralabama.com.

During the Alabama season, private vessels may harvest red snapper in state and federal waters. State charters are limited within the 9-mile Alabama waterline. Federal charters may begin daily red snapper fishing in U.S.-regulated waters on June 1 and within state waters during seasonal weekends.