Recreational anglers along the Alabama Gulf Coast will get their first shot at red snapper this year starting Friday, May 27, the Friday before Memorial Day. The season, set by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Marine Resources Division, will run in extended four-day weekends — Friday through Monday — until the state’s annual harvest quota is projected to be met.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries has not yet finalized this year’s poundage quota, but state officials expect it to land close to last year’s figure.
“We anticipate our quota for this year will be similar to last year’s, which was 1.12 million pounds,” said Scott Bannon, director of the ADCNR Marine Resources Division. “If the fishing effort is ‘normal,’ and the weather is favorable, we’ll fish probably 30 to 40 days, depending on the effort. We encourage people that if the weather is bad, don’t go. Wait until the weather is better.”
The Friday-through-Monday schedule applies specifically to anglers fishing from shore, from private recreational vessels, and from state-licensed Alabama commercial party boats that do not hold federal for-hire fishing permits. A separate season for anglers aboard federally permitted for-hire charter vessels will be announced later by NOAA Fisheries.
As in recent years, Alabama will rely on its “Snapper Check” reporting system to track landings from shore, private vessels and state-licensed charter boats throughout the season. Anglers are required to report their catch, and the state posts weekly landing updates at outdooralabama.com so fishermen can gauge how quickly the quota is being reached.
There is also a new requirement for 2022: every vessel fishing for reef fish in federal waters must now have a venting tool or descending device rigged and ready to use. The devices help reduce mortality in fish brought up from deep water by relieving pressure or returning them quickly to depth. Additional details on the requirement are available through the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.
Anglers planning to head out over the holiday weekend are reminded to check current regulations before launching, since size limits, bag limits and season length can shift from year to year based on quota projections and fishing effort.
While red snapper season gears up, a separate fishing event is already underway that benefits local charities. Phins Apparel is hosting the inaugural Phins Fishing Classic, a catch-photo-release tournament running in eight Southern states through May 1 that will benefit more than 240 United Way chapters nationwide. The tournament is designed to raise both funds and awareness for United Way while connecting anglers directly to their local chapters.
Locally, the United Way of Southwest Alabama stands to benefit from anglers who fish in Choctaw, Clarke, Mobile and Washington counties, with net proceeds divided among participating United Way chapters based on how many anglers register in each community.
The tournament, powered by the Fishing Chaos app, allows anglers to submit photos of their catch for professional judging through the Fishing Chaos App and Reel Tournament Management system. Organizers are guaranteeing $10,000 in prize packages across six categories of salt and freshwater fish: Black Bass, Crappie, Freshwater Catfish, Redfish, Snook and Speckled Trout. High school-aged anglers are especially encouraged to enter, since the tournament includes a dedicated High School Black Bass category and qualifies as an NSR reporting event.
Open tournament tickets cost $35, or $55 for an entry that includes a tournament T-shirt. Tickets can be purchased through the Fishing Chaos website or app. Anglers with questions about the tournament can email info@phinsfishingclassic.com or call 251-661-0369.
Turkey hunters in the region have their own contest to look forward to as well. The Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association is hosting the 10th annual Big Gobbler Photo Contest, timed to coincide with Alabama’s turkey season and meant to showcase the Black Belt region, an area widely regarded as one of the best turkey hunting destinations in the country, while celebrating both veteran and first-time hunters.
This year’s contest, conducted entirely online, closes May 8, with the winner selected through public voting. Entrants are limited to one submission and must complete the online form in full, including naming everyone pictured in the photo and identifying the Black Belt county where the turkey was harvested. Visitors to the contest site may cast one vote per entry, per day, per IP address.