Federal rule (Gulf federal waters) · Texas lists none of its own
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Texas state record
TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Rectangular dark blotches plus bright yellow outer pectoral third. More on the yellowfin grouper page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Yellowfin grouper in other states11 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for yellowfin grouper in Texas?
20 in total length. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many yellowfin grouper can you keep in Texas?
Within 4-grouper aggregate (4 groupers combined per person per day). Aggregate: 4-grouper aggregate.
When is yellowfin grouper season in Texas?
Open year-round, except closed Feb 1 - Mar 31 seaward of the 20-fathom contour (shallow-water grouper closure).
What is the Texas record yellowfin grouper?
47 lb, Gulf of America (2021).
How current is this Texas yellowfin grouper rule?
Source: NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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