When red snapper are around Freeport
The federal for-hire season runs June through October, which is the window for charters working federal waters. Surfside Beach Charters says its 2 state-water boats keep red snapper year-round, and winter trips stay in state water. The next section gives the distances. The same fishery along the rest of the coast is in the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide.
- June through October: federal for-hire season.
- Year-round: state-water trips on the 2 Surfside Beach Charters boats.
How far and where boats run from the Freeport jetties
Surfside Jetty and Freeport South Jetty bracket the departure, and every distance below is measured from the jetty.
| Band | Fact | Attribution |
|---|---|---|
| About 20 miles | Winter state-water trip | Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters |
| 20 to 30 miles in 80 to 120 ft | Core of the local snapper population | the Brazosport fishing guide |
| 40 to 60 miles | Larger fish | the Brazosport fishing guide |
| Out to 75 miles | 12-hour trip | Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters |
Snapper stack up by distance band, and the band you pick sets the day.
Inside 20 miles
Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters lists a winter state-water trip at about 20 miles from the jetty.
The 20 to 30 mile core
The Brazosport guide puts the core of the local snapper population in this zone, in 80 to 120 ft.
40 to 75 miles
The Brazosport guide puts larger fish at 40 to 60 miles. Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters lists a 12-hour trip out to 75 miles from the jetty.
Grounds and structure that hold snapper
The named structure below fits into the bands above. Blank cells mean no figure is given.
| Structure | Depth | Distance from jetties |
|---|---|---|
| George Vancouver (Liberty Ship) Artificial Reef (BA-336) | about 60 ft | 9 nm |
| Freeport Liberty Ship (Liberty Shipwreck) reef | 100 ft | |
| Freeport jetties (Surfside Jetty, Freeport South Jetty) | ||
| Nearshore platform clusters and natural ledges | 60 to 120 ft | |
| East Bank reef system | ||
| Buccaneer Field | ||
| Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary | overnight charters |
Nearshore reefs and the jetties
George Vancouver (Liberty Ship) Artificial Reef, listed as BA-336, sits in about 60 ft, 9 nautical miles from the Freeport jetties. The Freeport Liberty Ship (Liberty Shipwreck) reef is a separate wreck in 100 ft. The Surfside Jetty and the Freeport South Jetty complete the nearshore list.
Platform clusters and natural ledges, 60 to 120 ft
Nearshore platform clusters and natural ledges run through the 60 to 120 ft band, sharing the bottom with the wrecks and reefs above.
Farther grounds
The East Bank reef system and Buccaneer Field are the named farther grounds. The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is reachable from Freeport on overnight charters.
How snapper are fished locally
Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters describes the local approach. For general bottom-fishing technique, see our reef fish guides.
Bottom fishing wrecks, reefs, rigs and weedlines
Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters lists bottom fishing over wrecks, reefs, rigs and weedlines. The wrecks and reefs include the Liberty Ship entries above, and the rigs sit in the 60 to 120 ft platform clusters.
Chumming and drifting
Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters also lists chumming and drifting as local methods.
Who fishes for them
These operators list red snapper out of Freeport:
| Operator | Facts |
|---|---|
| Smith & Sons Charters M/V Blue Fin | Captain Matt Smith; M/V Blue Fin, 48 ft, up to 17 passengers |
| Fresh Off the Boat Charters | Captain Jimmy Phan, owner/operator |
| Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters | 33 ft Contender, plus a 31 ft boat for 4-hour trips |
| Surfside Beach Charters | Captain Kevin Martin; 2 state-water boats keep red snapper year-round |
FAQ about red snapper fishing out of Freeport
How far do boats run for red snapper out of Freeport?
About 20 miles on winter state-water trips (Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters) and 20 to 30 miles for the core zone (Brazosport guide). Larger fish are at 40 to 60 miles, and a 12-hour trip runs out to 75 miles.
What depth holds red snapper off Freeport?
The 20 to 30 mile core zone sits in 80 to 120 ft (Brazosport guide). Nearshore platform clusters and natural ledges sit in 60 to 120 ft.
How far is the George Vancouver reef from the Freeport jetties?
9 nautical miles, in about 60 ft. It is listed as BA-336.
Can you keep red snapper out of Freeport in winter?
Surfside Beach Charters says its 2 state-water boats keep red snapper year-round. Check TPWD before fishing.
When is the federal for-hire season?
June through October. Check the agency pages in the Regulations section before fishing.
