Taking family on a 12hr trip with Deep Sea Headquarters in June. Four of us are fishing. Question: How big of an ice chest do we need to take esp if red snapper are being caught? Have no idea the amount of fish we could bring home if we all have a good day on the trip.

I went out last year with Deep Sea Hdq for 8 hours and we caught our limit of Snapper which is 2 each I think. I think the Tx reg says 4 each but we were only allowed 2. They were pretty big.The only other fish we caught were Bonitas which the crew kept for bait.If you check out their website,you will be able to see photos of the various outings and how many fish they are catching.They will also clean your catch so you won't need as much cooler space for filet.Verify with the captain how many snapper you will be allowed to keep.Everyone on our trip caught snapper.The boat was full and we all had to fish on the same side of the boat so it was pretty tight,especially considering how large the fish were...lots of crossed lines with other.Enjoy your trip.

Red Snapper will probably only be in season for the months of June and July. They may do a later 2nd season in Oct.

Limit in federal waters (outside 9 nautical miles) will be 2 snapper per person per day.
Limit in state waters (inside 9NM) is 4 snapper per person per day.

12 hour trip will most likely be in federal waters between 25 and 40 miles.

Most boats don't allow ice chests on the boat, however a few do, so check with whomever you're going with and find out what they allow.

To avoid crossed lines, once you hook up pull the rod up and reel down as quickly as possible all the way to the surface. This will keep the snaps from having the ability to run laterally.

You could also potentially catch amberjack (1/day/person-however they may not be in season until Aug), kingfish (3/day/person), grouper (1), shark (1-depending on species and size), mahi/dolphin fish/dorado (no limit), Ling (1). These are the most common fishes caught. Good luck.

Thanks for the additional tips. I have looked at the pictures online but they only show the fish and not the fisherman. Always a lot of fish on the pier so wondered if 100 people caught them or a couple dozen. LandPirate thanks for the limit info that helps a lot. Going on June 15. Fishing calenders show that day being excellent (if you believe in that stuff). Really hope we get into the Mahi.

From my experience the guys at deep sea HQ will put you on fish if fish can be put on. They will tell you what to expect and most likey be right. If it is gonna be slow and hard fishing they will let you know. But ine june I would think youd be good to go

The mahi are hit or miss. It'll all depend on if there are any weedlines out there or other floating debris. Most of the time the party boats won't stop to fish these features since they have a schedule to maintain. Most big mahi will be caught by trolling near some form of floating structure. Just ask a deckhand if it's possible to throw out a trolled lure. Be sure to tip him to get him on your side. That's the best advise I can offer.

june and july ide expect them to catch snappers, reds lanes and vermillion. might also hook into an aj at the rigs. the deep sea headquarters usually trys to put you on a few diff species of fish. might even expect a king. i have been on 4 12 trips through deep sea headquarters and couldnt be happier with them. alwaysput us on fish.

Thanks Justin. Looking forward to the trip. Going to fish jetties and piers on the other 4 days while in Port A. Hope we get into fish there to.

Once you catch/clean your fish go rent a locker in the Deep Freeze at Fishermans Wharf. It's something like $4 a day and you don't have to worry about keeping your catch cold while you're still in town. Get dry ice from the IGA and use it to keep your catch rock hard on your way back to west Texas. I spend two weeks a summer down there and we usually have to rent two spots in the freezer by the time the trip is getting into the latter part of the vacation.

Why wouldn't you just have your fish frozen at Deep Sea Headquarters since you're fishing out of there? It costs something like $2.00 for them to take care of that. Talk to them at the counter when you go

I love their charter business but I put 15 packages of snapper in their freezer a few years ago. When I went back to pick it up it was gone.

LandPirate, I assume you are calling a King Mackeral a King Fish because I do that all the time myself. however, I think you are wrong on the limit/day. My book and computer says 2 per day. Has been for the past few years.

Notch,
I just referenced my nifty Iphone App from the Gulf Council and you are 100% correct. My bad. Used to be 3 fish when I really fished for them. I haven't targeted Kings in years, so I misspoke.

If you are going to fish the jetties than pay for a jettie boat trip and go over to St Joe island. Very few people and seems to me to be much better fishing. Most people get off of the boat at the island and go right toward the beach. I usually go left and fish in the jettie. Caught two nice sharks there last time and too mant sheeps head to count. Had a ball!!! And you can take your own cooler too. You kind of have too since there isnt anything on the island, not even bathrooms!!!

Hey fishinnurse what does a jetty trip like that cost? By the way I'm an nurse as well. Was just in San Antonio for a Ortho siminar.