ALABAMA & FEDERAL GULF WATERS
What’s in season.
Pick a date and trip to see which fish can be kept. Seasons, bag limits and size limits follow the federal for-hire rules and Alabama’s rules that apply to every Get Tight Offshore trip.
Showing status for October 23, 2026. Bag limits are per person per day. Captain and crew keep no red snapper, amberjack or grouper.
Snapper
| Species | Season | Daily bag | Minimum size | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Red snapper | Federal for-hire season June 1 – October 25, 2026. Closed January 1 – May 31 every year. The 2027 season is not announced yet. | 2 | 16 in total length | In season |
 Vermilion snapper (beeliner) | Open year-round. | 10 (counts toward 20 reef fish) | 10 in total length | In season |
 Mangrove / gray snapper | Open year-round. | 10 (snapper total) | 12 in total length | In season |
 Lane snapper | Open year-round. | Counts toward 20 reef fish | 10 in total length | In season |
Grouper
| Species | Season | Daily bag | Minimum size | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Gag grouper | Open September 1 – 30, 2026; closed early on October 1. Opens September 1 each year once the season length is announced. | 2 (counts toward 4 grouper) | 24 in total length | Closed |
 Red grouper | Open year-round, except February 1 – March 31 in waters deeper than 20 fathoms. | 2 (counts toward 4 grouper) | 20 in total length | In season |
 Scamp | Open in 2026. From 2027, closed January 1 – June 30. Also closed February 1 – March 31 deeper than 20 fathoms. | Counts toward 4 grouper | 16 in total length | In season |
 Yellowedge grouper | Open year-round. | Counts toward 4 grouper | No minimum | In season |
 Snowy grouper | Open year-round. | Counts toward 4 grouper | No minimum | In season |
Reef & offshore
| Species | Season | Daily bag | Minimum size | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Greater amberjack | Open September 1 – October 13, 2026. Next season opens September 1, 2027. | 1 | 34 in fork length | Closed |
 Gray triggerfish | Open March 1 – May 31 and August 1 – December 31. Closed January – February and June – July. | 1 | 15 in fork length | In season |
 Almaco jack | Open year-round. | Counts toward 20 reef fish | No minimum | In season |
 Lesser amberjack / banded rudderfish | Open year-round. | 5 combined | 14–22 in fork length (slot) | In season |
Mackerel & cobia
| Species | Season | Daily bag | Minimum size | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 King mackerel | Open year-round. | 3 | 24 in fork length | In season |
 Spanish mackerel | Open year-round. | 15 | 12 in fork length | In season |
 Cobia | Open year-round. | 1 (max 2 per vessel) | 36 in fork length | In season |
Deep drop
| Species | Season | Daily bag | Minimum size | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Golden tilefish | Open year-round. | Counts toward 20 reef fish | No minimum | In season |
 Blueline tilefish | Open year-round. | Counts toward 20 reef fish | No minimum | In season |
 Barrelfish | Open year-round. | No set limit | No minimum | In season |
 Bearded brotula | Open year-round. | No set limit | No minimum | In season |
Inshore
| Species | Season | Daily bag | Minimum size | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Redfish (red drum) | Open year-round in Alabama waters. Not allowed to be kept in federal waters. | 3 | 16–26 in total length (slot) | In season |
 Speckled trout | Open year-round. | 6 | 15–22 in total length (1 over 22 in allowed) | In season |
 Flounder | Closed November 1 – 30 every year in Alabama. | 5 | 14 in total length | In season |
 Sheepshead | Open year-round. | 8 | 12 in fork length | In season |
 Black drum | Open year-round. | No set limit | No minimum | In season |
Seasons follow federal for-hire rules and Alabama state rules. Season details last updated October 23, 2026; the official sources are checked every week. Closures and reopenings can be announced at short notice, so Blake confirms your targets before every trip. Sources: NOAA Fisheries ↗ · Alabama Marine Resources ↗
Fish photos: NOAA Fisheries (SEFSC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
DAUPHIN ISLAND, ALABAMA
Let’s get tight.
Tell Blake what you have in mind. We’ll work out the day together.