Triggerfish season will extend from March 1st to May 31st. They will reopen later in the year starting August 1st – December 31st. The bag limit is 1 fish per day and must be 15 inches to the fork. Triggerfish are by far one of the most delicious reef fish in the Gulf. Their firm, flaky white meat is perfect for a blackened fish sandwich.
Our half day, six hour trips have consisted of mostly bottom fishing for Triggerfish, White Snappers, and Vermillion Snappers. The fishing has been great and consistent. The live bait has been abundant as well which has been excellent for our longer all day ten-hour trips. Fresh live baits have been crucial for firing up our Scamp Groupers. We are excited for the 2019 Red Snapper and Amberjack season to open as well, as we have been catch and releasing quite a few Jacks and Reds while bottom fishing for our Triggerfish. Red Snappers and Amberjacks will be out of season until later in the year (See below).
Offshore Trolling has been rather slow right now. The King and Spanish mackerel haven’t showed up yet with the water temperatures still being rather cold. The weather has been very up and down with highs in the 70s and even 80s one week and then lows reaching down to the 30s the next. We are hoping for the cold to push out soon and the water temp to start rising.
Amberjacks
Gulf State Waters
Minimum Size Limit: 34” to the fork
Daily Bag Limit: 1 per person
Season: Open May 1st – 31st and August 1 – October 31st
**Federal Regulations for Amberjack season will be announced soon!
Red Snapper
Gulf State Waters
Minimum Size Limit: 16” total length
Daily Bag Limit: 2 per person
Season: Proposed 2019 season: June 11 – July 12
Gulf Federal Waters
Minimum Size Limit: 16” total length
Daily Bag Limit: 2 per person
Proposed 2019 open date: June 1st