Captain Dylan Hubbard here with some exciting updates fresh from the latest Gulf Council meeting. After a few long days of discussions, we’ve got some important news regarding red snapper, gag grouper, and amberjack seasons, and it’s shaping up to be a great year to get out on the water.
Grouper Season Outlook
We’ve always known gag grouper season would open on September 1st, but now we have a clearer idea of how long it may last.
Current projections suggest:
- 25 to 34 days total
- Most likely landing around 30 days
That means there’s a strong chance we could see nearly the entire month of September open for grouper harvest, which is fantastic news for anglers. Final season dates are expected to be confirmed in early to mid-May.
Amberjack Season Update
Amberjack season is also lining up nicely:
- Expected to open September 1st
- Projected to run for about 45 days
Even better, this means amberjack and gag grouper seasons will overlap, giving anglers more opportunities to target multiple species on the same trip. Like grouper, final confirmation is expected in early May.
Red Snapper Season (Confirmed)
The red snapper season is officially set for the federal for-hire fleet:
- June 1st through October 25th
- Closing at 12:01 AM on October 26th
That’s a long, extended season, giving you plenty of chances to get in on some of the best snapper fishing of the year.
Other Seasonal Notes
A few additional things to keep in mind when planning your trip:
- Scamp Grouper: Expected to shift to a July 1st – end of year season (pending final confirmation)
- Triggerfish: Closed during January, February, June, and July (spawning season closure)
- Most other species remain open year-round
Plan Ahead & Book Early
With longer seasons and overlapping opportunities, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the best offshore fishing years we’ve seen in a while. Trips—especially during the early weeks of grouper season—are already starting to fill up.
We recommend booking early to secure your spot, though there should still be availability after the initial rush, especially if the season stretches closer to that 30–34 day range.
Don’t forget, that we have some great videos on our fishing tips and tricks page here to show you how to target and rig for almost any species-> https://www.hubbardsmarina.com/fishing-tips/
TERMS OF REFERENCE-
Inshore: This covers the areas from the inner bays, through the bridges, and right up to the beaches.
Near Shore: This includes the coastal waters from the beaches up to twenty miles offshore, or up to a depth of 100 feet.
Offshore: This extends from twenty miles offshore or from a depth of 100 feet and beyond.
For more fishing reports, photos, videos, and other content, check out Hubbard’s Marina on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, Pinterest, or Snapchat by searching for @HubbardsMarina. Remember our family motto: “If you’re too busy to go fishing, you’re just too busy!” Thank you for reading our report.
Capt. Dylan Hubbard, Hubbard’s Marina
Phone or text: (727) 393-1947
Website: Hubbard’s Marina
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