The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Marine Resources Division has said that recreational salt water anglers will be able to enjoy another weekend of red snapper fishing.
On Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, beginning at 12:01 a.m. until midnight on Sunday, fishermen will be able to catch the prized red snapper. The weekends will remain open until the Alabama private angler red snapper quota has been met.
The additional days are available to private anglers fishing in state and federal waters adjacent to Alabama.
ADCNR announced additionally that state-licensed commercial party boats may harvest red snapper inside 9 nautical miles of Alabama’s coast.
To participate anglers must have an Alabama saltwater fishing license, Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement and make a report of their red snapper landings in Snapper Check prior to removing the fish from the boat or the boat with fish from the water.
“The Columbus Day weekend generated very little harvest due to the impacts of hurricanes Sally and Delta,” said Scott Bannon, MRD director. “We are committed to providing anglers access to the remaining red snapper quota, and we understand that weather, school and other activities will impact the harvest potential. Therefore, we have decided to announce that we will be open for weekend harvest until the quota is met or anticipated to be met. That could be in the first weekend or it may take several weekends. We will share the landings on our website for anglers to follow the progress.”
Many fishermen in coastal Alabama still have boats that are awaiting repair after Sally. There is also an issue with docks being damaged by the hurricanes.
You can get detailed red snapper landing information here.
Red snapper is prized by southern fishermen and diners alike for its eating characteristics. The state and federal government regulate the snapper harvest to keep the popular reef fish from being overfished.
ADCNR reminded anglers that gray trigger fish and greater amberjack are open to harvest and available for voluntary reporting through Snapper Check in the Outdoor Alabama app through Oct. 26 and Oct. 31, respectively.
Beginning next year, fishermen will be required by law to report both species like the current mandatory reporting requirement for red snapper.
