Gag Grouper & Snapper Season in Destin, Florida – Fishing Responsibly

Are you considering a fishing trip to Destin, Florida? If so, you may want to consider planning your trip around one of the popular fishing seasons. Gag Grouper, Red Snapper, and Cobia are some of the most popular fish caught in our local waters. Fishing seasons for these fish have become shorter and shorter due to over-fishing. Local fisherman and Newman-Dailey real estate agent, Colin Kirkwood, shares his knowledge and recommendations for sustainable fishing in Destin, Florida:

“If you’re heading to Destin, Florida to fish this year, here is what you’ll want to consider. The 2020 Gulf Recreational Gag Grouper season started June 1st and ends December 31st.  The minimum size limit is 24" TL and the daily bag limit is 2 per person within a 4 grouper aggregate. 

The 2020 Gulf Recreational Red Snapper season started June 11th and ends July 25th.  The minimum size limit is 16" with a 2 per person limit (included in the 10 per harvester, per day state snapper aggregate bag limit). Important note, rules and regulations are known to change so always check with the FWC at myfwc.com before you keep any Gulf fish.

If you are planning on taking one of Destin's charter boats out during your visit to beautiful Destin, Florida, let the first mate know how much fish you'd like to keep by considering how much you will be able to eat. If you allow the mates to keep every single fish you bring in, you may end up bringing home too much. They will clean your catch and bag it, but what will you realistically eat. Will you make a few meals while you’re at the beach only to have to discard the rest at the end of your visit? Do you plan to take your fish home? Do you plan to share it with family and friends? Sometimes, fish is improperly frozen or is pushed to the back of the freezer only to be found a year later. Consider taking a more conservative approach that helps local ecology.

Keep as much as you think you can use, or bring it to one of our many harbor-front restaurants that will cook your catch, including Brotula's Seafood & Steamer. You’ll enjoy the experience and take only what you need. A good rule of thumb I use is that an average 20-inch red snapper weighs about 4 pounds and will yield about 40 ounces of clean table-ready fish. One fish is enough to feed a family of 5 considering a few additional side dishes. Your captain will assume they should keep every fish you pull up, but you'll be ready to surprise them with your thoughtful and responsible approach. Catch & release is equally as fun, and you'll feel good about helping grow the local population of Red Snapper and Gag Group, ensuring there will be ample fish to catch on your next visit."

 Ready to start planning your fishing trip to Destin? View our collection of Destin vacation rentals online or call one of our friendly vacation specialists at 1-800-225-7652 to narrow your search and help plan your getaway. 

Interested in purchasing a slice of paradise in Destin, Florida? View the recently listed properties, including Gulf-front condos and vacation homes in Destin, Florida. 

See you at the beach!

*These tips were contributed by Real Estate Agent Colin Kirkwood. Contact him via email at [email protected] for more insight into fishing and real estate along Florida's Emerald Coast.