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BoatFederal Gulf Waters off TexasRed Snapper · Open

Buccaneer Reef South

28.87°N · 94.70°W

Species

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14-Day Forecast

Data from: ECMWF + GFS + BlueCaster
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24-Hour Conditions

All times CDT

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Conditions
Time
1 PM
Now
Score
81
Good
Tide
0.8 ft ▼
Ebbing
Current
—
Ebb
Wind
8 kn
SE · steady
Sea state
Flat
3 ft @ 5 s SE
Air temp
77°
Warm
Weather
Overcast
100% cloud
Hour 1 PM. Score 81 Good. Tide 0.8ft Falling ▼. Current -1.3kn Ebb. Wind 8kn SE G8. Sea 3 ft @ 5 s SE Flat. Air 76.6°.

Why this score

Current
Slack
Prime

Current regulations

In effect now

What you can keep at this spot today

Red Snapper
Retention open
Daily limit
2 per day
Possession
Not published
Size
Minimum 16"
Gear
Pole and line; circle hook required when using natural bait; venting tool or descending device for fish with barotrauma
Annual quota
Not published
Other
Applies to private recreational anglers in federal waters. 2026 season opened May 22, 2026; closing date to be determined by in-season harvest monitoring (as of October 23 the season remains open). Follow TPWD media for closure. 16-inch minimum. (State waters differ: 4 fish, 15 in, year-round.)
Other species here
Cobia Retention openKing Mackerel Retention openGray Triggerfish Retention openGreater Amberjack Closed
Always check with TPWD ↗

Source: TPWD · Federal Gulf Waters off Texas · synced today

Seasonality

52-week view · today highlighted

When Red Snapper is best at this spot

Shoulder seasonShoulder season for Red Snapper
~4 more weeks in shoulder
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Peak seasonShoulder seasonOff seasonClosed

SPOT PROFILE

DEPTH
—
STRUCTURE
Artificial Reef

About Buccaneer Reef South

Buccaneer Reef South is an artificial reef in federal Gulf waters off Galveston, Texas. The structure draws Red Snapper, which peak from April through August, along with King Mackerel, whose peak window runs from April through October. Cobia, Gray Triggerfish, and Greater Amberjack also hold around the reef. Bottom fishing with cut bait, squid, live bait, or cigar minnows is the dominant approach for Red Snapper tight to the structure, and vertical jigging with metal jigs, butterfly jigs, or bucktail jigs is a supporting option. King Mackerel respond to trolling with stinger-rigged ribbonfish, diving plugs, or trolling spoons, and to slow trolling live menhaden, live blue runners, or live hardtails along the reef's edges.

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Buccaneer Reef South is one of the spots we track around Galveston. More spots in Galveston · All of Texas.

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