The 2011 season has been set, and it is the shortest so far, totaling just 48 days.

The bag and size limit of two fish per day measuring at least 16 inches in length did not change.

NOAA Fisheries Service has published a final rule implementing increases in the commercial and recreational red snapper quotas in the Gulf of Mexico from 3.542 million pounds and 3.403 MP to 3.66 and 3.525 MP in 2011, respectively. A recent red snapper assessment update projected over fishing ended in 2009, and therefore, the total allowable catch can be increased from the existing 6.945 MP to 7.185 MP.

This action was evaluated in a regulatory amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico.

The final rule will be published in the Federal Register today.

The recreational red snapper season opens June 1. NOAA Fisheries Service has projected the red snapper recreational quota will be harvested by July 18. The fishing season will close at 12:01 a.m. July 19.

The 48-day season is the shortest season to date since the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council chose to begin the season June 1, and is, in part, the result of the increasing size of the fish being landed.

THAT'S 7 WHOLE WEEKENDS-now plan for the wind and maybe 2 trips. Bullchit.

How come the commercials get the main haul? Oh nevermind, they run the Gulf Council, bastages!!

Not only is snapper only 48 days, but amberjack is closed June & July, which gives us a 2 week period at the end of July where recs cannot keep snapper or AJ.....complete BS.

but the commerical guys can still keep what like 2k lbs a trip lol.......just go deep

gunna be some expensive snapper this year...