Yellowtail Snapper
Ocyurus chrysurus
How to tell it
Yellow racing stripe ending in an all-yellow deeply forked tail.
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No size limit | 20-fish reef fish aggregate | Open year-roundAL MRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Atlantic) | 12 in TL min | 10 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate) | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | 12 in TL min | 10 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate) | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| GeorgiaFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) | 12 in total length | 10 per person per day within 10-snapper aggregate | Open year-roundSAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked | Open |
| Louisiana | 12 in total length | 10 per person in snapper aggregate | Open year-roundLDWF 2026 · checked | Open |
| Maryland | No size limit | 20 aggregate; max 10 of any one species | Open year-roundMD DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Mississippi | 12 in total length minimum | 10 per person per day | Open year-roundMS DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| North CarolinaFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) | 12 in total length | 10 per person per day within 10-snapper aggregate | Open year-roundSAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked | Open |
| South Carolina | 12 in total length | 10/day snapper aggregate | Open year-roundSC DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| TexasFederal rule (Gulf federal waters) | 12 in total length | Within 10-snapper aggregate (10 snappers combined per person per day) | Open year-roundNOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 9 lb 9.6 oz | 2019 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Florida | 10.19 lb | 2015 · Ft. Myers | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Georgia | 5 lb | 2014 | GA DNR CRD Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-23 · GA keeps men's/women's records; heavier taken as overall |
| Louisiana | 10.2 lb | 2001 · Eugene Is. Blk. 295 | LOWA Louisiana State Fish Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Mississippi | 7 lb 9.6 oz | 2023 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| North Carolina | 9 lb 4 oz | 2019 · Off Calabash | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
| South Carolina | 10 lb 8 oz | 2017 · Tolers Cove Marina | SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 9.87 lb | 1992 · Gulf of America | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
On the table
Excellent.
In the app
Point the camera at a yellowtail snapper and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about yellowtail snapper
What is the size limit for yellowtail snapper?
It depends on the state. Florida (Atlantic): 12 in TL min; Florida (Gulf): 12 in TL min; Georgia: 12 in total length; Louisiana: 12 in total length; Mississippi: 12 in total length minimum; North Carolina: 12 in total length; South Carolina: 12 in total length; Texas: 12 in total length.
How many yellowtail snapper can you keep?
Alabama: 20-fish reef fish aggregate; Florida (Atlantic): 10 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate); Florida (Gulf): 10 per person (within 10-snapper aggregate); Georgia: 10 per person per day within 10-snapper aggregate; Louisiana: 10 per person in snapper aggregate; Maryland: 20 aggregate; max 10 of any one species; Mississippi: 10 per person per day; North Carolina: 10 per person per day within 10-snapper aggregate; and more in the table above.
What is the record yellowtail snapper?
10 lb 8 oz in South Carolina (2017), Tolers Cove Marina. Other states’ records are in the table.