When does red snapper season open and what are the new limits??

thanks

It opened on the 21st this month with a 4 per person limit, however that limit changes on May 2nd to 2 per person limit. This is federal limits 9+ nautical miles out.

http://www.gulfcouncil.org/Beta/GMFMCWeb/prrel/pr%202007-11.pdf

Yes that is why I have gone out the last 2 Saturdays to get some fish in the freezer. Both Saturdays the wind made it an unpleasant experience. However, my son and I both got our limits of nice size fish (17 -22"). Now we are waiting for the mahi-mahi to come a little closer. No point in going 25 to 50 miles offshore for 2 snapper a piece.

I am confused as to how the federal waters and texas waters limit works... Can you keep more than 2 if you are not more than the 9 miles offshore? What if you are past federal water(if you can get that far)and bring them back?
I really wish the jackholes would just cut the commercial fishing down and let us keep the same amount. I guess commercial fish affect more people than I know. I eat muchmore fish that I catch than fish bought at the store or in a resturaunt...

SpecialK it is not clear how they are going to enforce the Federal and Texas regulation. How can they proof that you caught them in federal waters etc. I believe the only clear cut result would be if they stop you in Fed. waters and them judge your catch against the Fed. regs. The same with size, for example Fed. size for greater Amberjack is 28" and Texas is 32". If I catch and measure a g Amberjack of 28" at the Baker rig (Fed. waters) and are stopped by the authorities in Port A, could I be fined for having an undersized fish?

You can't have in your possession fish other than those that are legal in the jurisdiction you are in.

Example: You catch 4 red snapper in Texas waters and venture past the 9 mile line to catch tuna, you are stopped in Federal waters and checked. You will receive a citation for having over your limit of red snapper.

Example 2: You catch an Amberjack in Federal waters that is 29 inches long and bring that Amberjack into Texas waters to catch your limit of red snapper, you are checked in Texas waters..you will recieve a citation for having an undersized amberjack.

BaitFish I like your conservative approach, and that has been my practice to be on the safe side. However, from the current Texas hunting and fishing regulations the following statement: "Texas fishermen fishing more than nine nautical miles off the coast of Texas are in federal waters and are subject to rules and regulations that may differ from those in state waters." Technically then the 29" Amberjack caught in federal waters should not get you in trouble, and I believe it could be fought in court. I, however, will keep only 32" or bigger fish irrespective of where I catch them.

Here's what I've been told previously by fish & game .... if you are coming back from Federal waters and are underway, you really can't be cited for the amberjack in the example. However, if you stop in State waters (perhaps to get your TX limit of red snapper), and get checked, then the 29" amberjack would be a citation.

Groupertroupers solution seems most practical - follow the largest size limits to the fish.

Zeek that makes sence. I very seldom stop in Texas waters on the long way in, usually I am pooped by the time we get to 9 miles offshore. I also run a dry boat and my fellow fisherman is ready to pop open a cool one for consumption in the shade when we hit the dock.