[feature photo by Captain Kevin Roberts Guide Service]
When it comes to reel (pun intended) adventure, nothing beats the Gulf of Mexico. Kingfish, snapper, dorado, and shark are abundant within 30 miles of shore. Go a little farther and you’ll find cobia, amberjack, grouper, and even sailfish. More than 100 species of fish are regularly caught in the Galveston, Texas, waters.
Galveston offers something for everyone with a rod, a reel, and a love of fishing. You can fish the surf along most of the island’s beaches year-round. Galveston Bay is typically more calm than the Gulf, allowing you to fish from smaller boats. Trout and redfish are the preferred haul for most bay fishermen.
For a real dream fishing trip, charter a boat for a trip 100 miles out for some of the most challenging sport fishing anywhere in the world. Marlin weighing hundreds of pounds are waiting for you, as are large tuna, wahoo, dorado, and much more!
Basic Recreational Fishing Regulations
This brief summary of regulations governs the taking of species in the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico for personal use. Federal waters begin where state waters end (10 miles offshore) and extend 200 miles.
Some species are subject to in-season closures. Please check with your fishing charter guide or with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council for the most up-to-date information.
- Red Snapper - Private Angler Season: June 1 - 9
Federal For-Hire Season June 1 - July 16
16” TL; 2/person - Vermillion - Open
10” TL; 10 within the 20 reef fish aggregate - Lane Snapper - Open
8” TL; 20 within the 20 reef fish aggregate - Gray/Mangrove - Open
12” TL; 10 within the snapper aggregate - Cubera - Open
12” TL; 10 within the snapper aggregate - Yellowtail - Open
12” TL; 10 within the snapper aggregate - Mutton Snapper - Open
16” TL; 10 within the snapper aggregate - Blackfin Snapper - Open
No Size Limit; 10 within the snapper aggregate - Silk Snapper - Open
No Size Limit; 10 within the snapper aggregate - Queen Snapper - Open
No Size Limit; 10 within the snapper aggregate - Grouper - Open June 1 - December 31
24” TL; 2 per person within 4-fish combined total - Red Grouper - Closed February 1 through March 31 when fishing beyond the 20-fathom break
20” TL; 2 per person within 4-fish combined total
Subject to in-season closure - Black Grouper - Closed February 1 through March 31 when fishing beyond the 20-fathom break
24” TL; 4 per person within 4-fish combined total - Yellowfin - Closed February 1 through March 31 when fishing beyond the 20-fathom break
20” TL; 4 per person within 4-fish combined total - Scamp - Closed February 1 through March 31 when fishing beyond the 20-fathom break
16” TL; 4 per person within 4-fish combined total - Yellowmouth - Closed February 1 through March 31 when fishing beyond the 20-fathom break
No Size Limit; 4 per person within 4-fish combined total - Yellowedge - Open
No Size Limit; 4 per person in aggregate - Snowy - Open
No Size Limit; 4 per person in aggregate - Speckled Hind - Open
No Size Limit; 1 fish per vessel - Warsaw - Open
No Size Limit; 1 fish per vessel - Goliath - Harvest Prohibited
- Hogfish - Open
12” FL; 5 per person - Gray Triggerfish - Closed June 1 - July 31
14” FL; 2 per person
Subject to in-season closure - Greater Amberjack - Closed June 1 - July 31
34” FL; 1 per person
Subject to in-season closure - Lesser Amberjack - Open
14” - 22” FL; 5 per person in aggregate - Banded Rudderfish - Open
14” - 22” FL; 5 per person in aggregate - Cobia (ling) - Open
33” FL; 2 per person - Spanish Mackerel - Open
12” FL; 15 per person - King Mackerel - Open
24” FL; 2 per person - Red Drum - Harvest Prohibited
- Spiny Lobster - Closed April 1 through August 5
NOTE: Florida 2 Day Mini-season last consecutive Wednesday/Thursday in July
Resources:
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council - "The absence of complete laws, rules and regulations in this summary does not relieve persons from compliance with those laws, rules or regulations."
