Red snapper out of Cortez: the short version
Red snapper trips out of Cortez run 40+ miles, through Longboat Pass, in a window from early June through late July or early August, per Florida Fishing Fleet. Start and end dates vary by year. Cortez boats reach the Gulf through Longboat Pass, between Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island. The named reefs off the pass are shallow and close in, and the red snapper trips run well past them. Pass details and where to read conditions are on the Cortez port page. The wider picture is in the Gulf of Mexico region guide.
When red snapper are around Cortez
Red snapper are fished out of Cortez from early June through late July or early August, per Florida Fishing Fleet. Start and end dates vary by year. The agencies set the official season, and the Regulations section below links to both.
The Gulf red snapper guide covers the fish itself and Gulf-wide timing.
- Window: early June through late July or early August
- Start and end dates: vary by year
- Source for the official season: the agencies, not the charter fleet
How far boats run for red snapper from Cortez
Florida Fishing Fleet runs its red snapper trips as 10-hour offshore trips about 40+ miles out from Cortez. Reel Cortez sells a red snapper trip it describes as reaching up to 40 miles. A private boat fishing red snapper from this port should plan on a 40+ mile run each way.
Conditions before the run
Check the NWS coastal waters forecast for wind, wave height and period before a run this long, and decide based on those numbers.
The Anna Maria buoy
NDBC station ANMF1 (Anna Maria, FL, 27.538N 82.739W) is the nearest listed station. Its page showed no recent data, so confirm it is reporting before you rely on it.
Named reefs and ledges near Cortez
Eight named reefs and ledges sit within 15 miles of Longboat Pass, from Near Shore Reef at 16 ft to Anna Maria Ledge at 46 ft. All are 46 ft or shallower, while the red snapper trips from this port run 40+ miles.
These are the Manatee County nearshore reefs and the ledge beyond them. Positions are given as bearing and distance for plotting. Chart layers are not for navigation, so verify every position on the official chart.
| Structure | Depth (ft) | Distance | Bearing | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Near Shore Reef | 16 | 0.6 miles | 321° | Longboat Pass |
| 3 Mile South Reef | 30 | 3.5 miles | 270° | Longboat Pass |
| 1 Mile Reef | 25 | 4.3 nm | 320° | Longboat Pass entrance |
| Gucken Reef | 33 | 4.6 miles | 250° | tip of Anna Maria Island |
| 3 Mile North Reef | 28 | 7.0 miles | 305° | Longboat Pass |
| 7 Mile South Reef | 40 | 8.0 miles | 270° | Longboat Pass |
| 7 Mile North Reef | 40 | 8.2 miles | 270° | NW tip of Anna Maria Island |
| Anna Maria Ledge | 46 | 14.7 miles | 290° | Longboat Pass |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Inside 5 miles
Near Shore Reef, 3 Mile South, 1 Mile Reef and Gucken Reef run from 16 to 33 ft. The reference points differ: 1 Mile Reef is measured from the Longboat Pass entrance and Gucken Reef from the tip of Anna Maria Island, while the other two use Longboat Pass. Plot each one from its own point.
7 to 9 miles
3 Mile North, 7 Mile South and 7 Mile North fall in this band. Both 7 Mile reefs are 40 ft and lie at 270°. 7 Mile North is measured from the NW tip of Anna Maria Island, and 7 Mile South from Longboat Pass.
Anna Maria Ledge
Anna Maria Ledge is the deepest and farthest named structure listed: 46 ft, 14.7 miles at 290° from Longboat Pass. That is still well inside the 40+ mile run.
How red snapper are fished out of Cortez and who fishes them
Red snapper out of Cortez are fished by bottom fishing on reef and structure. Rigs and bait are covered in the reef fish guides.
Local boats
Florida Fishing Fleet lists red snapper. Its site names the vessels Savage Lady, Kingpin, Florida Man and Little Savage, and its Florida Fishing Fleet offshore trips run 10 hours, about 40+ miles out. Reel Cortez sells a red snapper trip it describes as reaching up to 40 miles. Compare your own boat’s range and your own day against that run length.
FAQ: Cortez red snapper
When does red snapper season run out of Cortez?
Early June through late July or early August, per Florida Fishing Fleet. Start and end dates vary by year. Check the agencies before the trip.
How far do boats run for red snapper from Cortez?
About 40+ miles on Florida Fishing Fleet’s 10-hour offshore trips. Reel Cortez describes its red snapper trip as reaching up to 40 miles.
What is the deepest named structure near Longboat Pass?
Anna Maria Ledge: 46 ft, 14.7 miles at 290° from Longboat Pass. Every named reef listed is 46 ft or shallower.
Who runs red snapper trips from Cortez?
Florida Fishing Fleet (Savage Lady, Kingpin, Florida Man, Little Savage) and Reel Cortez.
Is there a buoy off Anna Maria?
NDBC station ANMF1 (Anna Maria, FL, 27.538N 82.739W) is the nearest listed station, but its page showed no recent data. Confirm it is reporting before you rely on it, and read the NWS marine forecast for wind and seas.
