Yellowtail Snapper in Islamorada

The reef fish that fills the cooler: there all year on the reef about four miles out, steady biters, and some of the best eating in the Keys.

By Updated

When can you catch yellowtail snapper in Islamorada?

All year. A Fishing Guru calls snapper a year-round fish with excellent summer reef fishing and puts July at the peak, and Robbie’s says its reef spots hold yellowtail summer or winter. The limit is 10 per person at 12 in TL.

A yellowtail snapper with its yellow stripe

The fish

NOAA puts yellowtail snapper at 2 to 5 pounds, up to 11, and says they feed mainly at night and opportunistically by day; FWC says they live in coastal water near coral reefs. The Florida Museum calls them one of Florida’s most popular sport and food fish, especially in the Keys. NOAA describes the flavour as mild and sweet.

When and where in Islamorada

Year round on the reef line, which Bud N’ Mary’s puts about four miles out in 60 to 90 feet. A Fishing Guru: excellent summer reef fishing, July the peak reef and snapper month. The Keys tourism council grades yellowtail Peak in April, May, June, July and August and Good the rest of the year.

Can you keep yellowtail snapper?

Every limit is on what fish you can keep.

Florida state-water rules as they apply in the Keys, Islamorada included, read on FWC’s page on 6 October 2026. FWC changes these; its page is the final word.
RuleFWC, Keys state waters
Minimum size12 in TL
Bag limit10, within the 10-snapper total
SeasonOpen all year
SourceFWC: Yellowtail snapper

Which trip to book

A reef trip: a half day is plenty ($700–$1,400 per boat in October 2026), and Snap ’Em Up sells a two-hour snapper trip for $600. See reef fishing.

Read for this page on 6 October 2026: FWC: yellowtail snapper profile ; NOAA Fisheries: yellowtail snapper ; A Fishing Guru: month by month .

Check it at the source

Yellowtail snapper: questions

How many yellowtail snapper can you keep in Florida?

Ten per person, at least 12 inches total length, within the 10-snapper aggregate limit, open all year under FWC’s rules.

What is the best month for yellowtail in Islamorada?

They bite all year; A Fishing Guru calls summer excellent and July the peak reef and snapper month.

Next step

Looking for fishing trips in Islamorada?

Islamorada Charters Fishing is an independent guide — no boats, no bookings, nothing to sell. It exists so you can ask better questions before you hand an operator a deposit.

Compare Islamorada charter operators → What an Islamorada charter day involves

Islamorada Charters Fishing takes no bookings and earns nothing from a click. You book with the operator directly.