After years of frustratingly short seasons, East Coast red snapper anglers may finally have something to look forward to this fall.
October could bring another opportunity to put Atlantic red snapper in the cooler, but there is still a big question mark hanging over the fishery. Florida, Georgia and South Carolina have submitted new proposals to NOAA Fisheries seeking permission to conduct recreational red snapper fishing under Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs).
If approved, the programs would provide recreational fishing opportunities during October 2026, with additional fishing days potentially available in December if the states do not reach their harvest limits. November would remain closed.
As of early September, however, NOAA was still reviewing the applications, meaning anglers should hold off on making firm plans until the permits are approved.
For Florida anglers, the potential opportunity is especially significant. Florida’s proposal calls for a recreational harvest limit of 185,379 red snapper. Georgia’s proposed limit is 10,759 fish, while South Carolina’s is 19,253.
The proposals generally allow recreational anglers to keep one red snapper per person per day. Captains and crew members on for-hire trips would not be permitted to keep red snapper. South Carolina would also maintain its 20-inch minimum size limit.
The proposed fall fishery is the latest chapter in a long-running battle over how Atlantic red snapper should be managed.
The good news for anglers is that the stock has improved dramatically. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Atlantic red snapper is currently considered neither overfished nor undergoing overfishing.
The challenge has been balancing increased recreational access with accurate information about how many fish anglers are catching and releasing.
That’s where the EFP programs come in.
The states are proposing expanded electronic reporting and monitoring designed to provide better information on recreational catch and effort. The goal is to give managers a clearer picture of the fishery while allowing anglers more opportunity to target one of the South Atlantic’s most popular reef fish.
One important point: the previously announced Florida dates of October 2–4, October 9–11 and October 16–18 were part of an earlier EFP that was rescinded. Those dates are not currently confirmed for the new program.
So, for now, East Coast red snapper anglers will have to remain patient.
But after years of watching the calendar for just a handful of fishing days, the possibility of an October season is certainly worth watching.
If NOAA gives the new permits the green light, fall red snapper fishing could be one of the biggest stories of the 2026 East Coast fishing season.
