When red snapper are around Carrabelle
Drop Zone Fishing fishes red snapper from June through August. Unchained Charters lists May through October. Both windows depend on whichever federal or state season is open. The same fishery along the rest of the coast is in the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide.
| Charter | Red snapper window |
|---|---|
| Drop Zone Fishing | June through August |
| Unchained Charters | May through October |
These are two operators’ schedules rather than one agreed peak. For more on how the fish behave, read about red snapper across the Gulf.
How far boats run
Red snapper fishing out of Carrabelle is a reef, wreck and rocky-bottom fishery. Local charters work three range bands:
- Nearshore reefs close to the harbor. Unchained Charters works these.
- Up to about 9 miles off St. George Island or Dog Island. Gritwater Outfitters fishes this band.
- Up to about 20 miles out from the Timber Island ramp. Drop Zone runs this far on Drop Zone’s offshore trips.
The grounds below are ordered by distance from the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy, so you can match each site to your own range.
Grounds and structure off Carrabelle
All distances and bearings are measured from the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy. Sites carry their AARA site numbers where one exists.
| Site | AARA ID | Depth (ft) | Distance from Red 10 (nm) | Bearing (°) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrabelle 3 Mile | FR0018 | 39 | 5.5 | 107.2 |
| CCA Dr. Bart Carey Reef (Carrabelle 10 Mile Reef System) | – | 50 | – | – |
| Robby’s Reef | FR0039 | 52 | 11.6 | 127.7 |
| Carrabelle Reef Culverts | FR0012 | 70 | 14.5 | 169.5 |
| O-Tower Barge / Carrabelle Reef Barge | FR0013 | 74 | 15.0 | 169.0 |
| Carrabelle/Rotary | FR0011 | – | 15.6 | 176.7 |
| K Tower | FR0007 | 60 | 17.2 | 113.8 |
| S Tower | FR0005 | 105 | 28.9 | 173.3 |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
These are published reference positions, and chart layers are not for navigation. Verify every position on your own electronics before you run.
Close reefs: Carrabelle 3 Mile, Dr. Bart Carey and Robby’s Reef
Carrabelle 3 Mile is FR0018, in 39 ft at 5.5 nm and 107.2°. It is one of several Carrabelle 3 Mile sites. CCA Dr. Bart Carey Reef sits in 50 ft and is part of the Carrabelle 10 Mile Reef System. Robby’s Reef is FR0039, a 2016 addition, in 52 ft at 11.6 nm and 127.7°.
Culverts and the Barge at 14 to 15 nm
The Culverts lie at 14.5 nm and 169.5° in 70 ft. The Barge, which goes by both O-Tower Barge and Carrabelle Reef Barge, lies at 15.0 nm and 169.0° in 74 ft, so the two sit just 0.5 nm and 0.5° apart. Carrabelle/Rotary, FR0011, lies just past them at 15.6 nm and 176.7°.
The towers
K Tower is FR0007, in 60 ft at 17.2 nm and 113.8°. It lies east of the southerly line the Culverts and the Barge follow. S Tower is FR0005, in 105 ft at 28.9 nm and 173.3°. It is the deepest and farthest listed structure, beyond Drop Zone’s advertised 20-mile range.
How it is fished out of Carrabelle
The local method is heavy-tackle bottom fishing at structure with cut or live bait. Drop Zone says the reds sometimes need lighter leaders in clear water and suggests chumming. For broader technique, see our reef fish guides.
Who fishes for red snapper out of Carrabelle
Six local charters list red snapper:
- Drop Zone Fishing: 31 ft Bluewater with twin 300 hp Suzuki engines, Captain Del Betit.
- Anchors Aweigh Fishing Charters & More: 25 ft Sea Fox center console with a 300 hp Yamaha.
- Shell Yeah Charters: Captain Pat McElreath, USCG OUPV licensed.
- Gritwater Outfitters USA: 22 ft Twin Vee and 22 ft Baycat, Captain Terry Martin.
- Unchained Charters: 24 ft Pro-Line center console, up to six guests.
- Renegade Charters: 20 ft motorboat, up to 6 passengers.
FAQ for red snapper fishing out of Carrabelle
When do charters fish red snapper out of Carrabelle?
Drop Zone Fishing fishes red snapper from June through August. Unchained Charters lists May through October. Both windows depend on whichever federal or state season is open, so check the Regulations section above before you plan a trip.
How far do boats run for red snapper from Carrabelle?
Unchained Charters works nearshore reefs close to the harbor. Gritwater Outfitters fishes up to about 9 miles off St. George Island or Dog Island. Drop Zone runs up to about 20 miles from the Timber Island ramp. Listed structure runs from 5.5 nm to 28.9 nm from Red 10.
What is the closest listed reef to the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy?
Carrabelle 3 Mile, FR0018, is the closest listed site, in 39 ft at 5.5 nm and 107.2° from the buoy. It is one of several Carrabelle 3 Mile sites. Verify the position on your own electronics before you run.
What is the deepest listed structure off Carrabelle?
S Tower, FR0005, is the deepest, in 105 ft at 28.9 nm and 173.3° from Red 10. K Tower is the next tower out, in 60 ft at 17.2 nm and 113.8°. Both sit well past the nearshore reefs.
Which Carrabelle charters list red snapper?
Six do. Drop Zone Fishing runs a 31 ft Bluewater. Anchors Aweigh Fishing Charters & More runs a 25 ft Sea Fox. Shell Yeah Charters is run by Captain Pat McElreath. Gritwater Outfitters USA runs a 22 ft Twin Vee and a 22 ft Baycat. Unchained Charters runs a 24 ft Pro-Line. Renegade Charters runs a 20 ft motorboat.
How do local captains fish for red snapper here?
The local method is heavy-tackle bottom fishing at structure with cut or live bait. Drop Zone says the reds sometimes need lighter leaders in clear water and suggests chumming.
