The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Yellowtail Snapper Ocyurus chrysurus
Yellowtail Snapper Size, Range & Diet
| Typical size | 12–18 in, 1–3 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum | up to 30 in and about 9 lb |
| Lifespan | up to 19 years |
| Range | Western Atlantic from the Carolinas south through the Florida Keys, the Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas and the Caribbean, most abundant off South Florida. |
| Habitat | Coral reefs and hard bottom in roughly 30–230 ft, schooling well up off the bottom rather than sitting on it. |
| Diet | Small fish, shrimp, crabs, worms and plankton grabbed in midwater, mostly after dark — chummed shrimp and ballyhoo strips are the classic baits. |
Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.
How to Identify a Yellowtail Snapper
- Bright yellow midbody stripe widening into the tail
- Bluish back with yellow spots above the stripe
- Slender, streamlined body (less deep than other snappers)
- Deeply forked, all-yellow tail
- Pinkish-white belly, small mouth
Tell it apart: The unbroken bright-yellow stripe running into a fully yellow deeply forked tail is unmistakable and separates it instantly from gray (mangrove) snapper.
Easily confused with: Mangrove Snapper
Side by side: Yellowtail Snapper vs Mangrove Snapper
How to Catch Yellowtail Snapper
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- Best through the summer; anchor up-current on the reef, set a chum slick and drift small baits back on light fluoro.Gear1/0 yellowtail hooksChum block20 lb fluorocarbon leader
When & Where Yellowtail Snapper Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Florida & the Keys Nearshore |
Yellowtail Snapper Regulations
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.