Amberjack & Gag Grouper Season Opens September 1 — Offshore Charters Now Booking
- September 2, 2026
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Amberjack & Gag Grouper Season Opens September 1 — Book Your Perdido Key Charter Now
September 2026 | Tradition Fishing Charters – Perdido Key, FL
Two of the Gulf's hardest-fighting fish are back — September 1, 2026.
Greater Amberjack and Gag Grouper season opens September 1 off Perdido Key and Pensacola. These trips book out fast — don't wait.
Book Your Offshore Charter → | (850) 324-4464
September is one of the most exciting months on the Gulf Coast fishing calendar. Two highly anticipated seasons open on September 1 — Greater Amberjack and Gag Grouper — and both are available to anglers booking federally permitted offshore charters with Tradition Fishing Charters out of Perdido Key, FL.
Greater Amberjack Season — September 1 through October 13, 2026
Greater amberjack are one of the hardest-fighting reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico — powerful, aggressive, and built like a freight train. After being closed through August 31, the 2026 season opens September 1 and runs through October 13, 2026, closing at 12:01 a.m. on October 14. That's a 43-day season — up significantly from the 26-day season in 2025.
2026 Greater Amberjack Regulations
- Season: September 1 – October 13, 2026
- Bag Limit: 1 fish per person, per day
- Size Limit: 34 inches fork length minimum
- License Required? No — covered under our federal for-hire permit
Amberjack stack up on deep wrecks and offshore reefs off Perdido Key, offering some of the most intense battles in Gulf fishing. These fish are notorious for their deep, powerful runs — even experienced anglers are humbled by a big AJ. If you're looking for a fight, this is your trip.
ⓘ NOAA Fisheries sets the season length based on annual catch targets (335,320 lbs for 2026/2027) to protect the recovering amberjack population. The 43-day 2026 season reflects continued improvement in the fishery.
Gag Grouper Season — Opens September 1, 2026
Gag grouper are the most popular offshore bottom fish on the Gulf Coast — hard-fighting, great-eating, and a bucket list catch for any serious angler. The federal season for gag grouper reopens September 1, 2026 in Gulf federal waters after being closed through August 31.
2026 Gag Grouper Regulations
- Season Opens: September 1, 2026
- License Required? No — covered under our federal for-hire permit
ⓘ Note: All shallow-water grouper species are closed February 1 through March 31 beyond the 20-fathom break as a Gulf-wide conservation measure to protect spawning fish. Always confirm current regulations at MyFWC.com/Marine before your trip.
Grouper hold on deep wrecks, ledges, and offshore structure just south of Perdido Key — the same grounds we run for amberjack, red snapper, and triggerfish. Our captains fish these spots daily and know exactly where the fish are holding.
Why Book with Tradition Fishing Charters?
Tradition Fishing Charters operates federally permitted vessels out of Perdido Key, FL — giving our anglers full legal access to Gulf federal waters where amberjack and grouper are harvested. Here's what's included on every trip:
- All tackle, bait, rods and reels
- Fishing license covered under our federal for-hire permit
- Fish cleaning and bagging at the dock
- Local captains who fish these waters every day
Browse our offshore fishing charter page for trip lengths and pricing, or check our seasonal fishing guide to see everything else biting in September.
Ready to Book Your September Charter?
The amberjack season is only 43 days long and September dates fill up fast. Don't wait until the opener to start planning — book your spot now.
September dates are going fast — book before they're gone.
Book Your Offshore Charter → | (850) 324-4464 | Contact Us
Tradition Fishing Charters — Perdido Key, Florida
Serving Perdido Key, Pensacola Beach, Orange Beach, and Gulf Shores
Fishing regulations change annually. Always verify current season dates and bag limits at MyFWC.com/Marine or NOAA Fisheries before your trip. Call us at (850) 324-4464 and we'll confirm current regulations any time.
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