Extended red snapper season closes

ORANGE BEACH, Alabama (WALA) - SPECIAL SNAPPER SEASON ENDS

It was a mixed catch. The special red snapper season ended late Sunday night after bringing in some much-needed business, but the success of the season was limited.

For eight weekends, since the start of October, the special red snapper season has boosted business and reeled in profits.

Captain Troy Frady of the Distraction says he’s glad fishing regulators made some exceptions during a disastrous year.

“It was a noble gesture,” Frady said. “Everybody had a real hard time down here surviving this summer.”

FAR FROM A HOMERUN

While noble, Frady says after a good start, the special snapper season had limited success. He says it came during a busy time of year, when folks had a lot of options and obligations.

“It kind of died of quickly. Alabama and Auburn football has been good this year. I think that along with hunting and doing things outside with fall sports took precedence over fall snapper season,” Frady told us.

Kourosh Arsani, who runs Calypso Joe’s at Orange Beach Marina, says his business saw no boost, because families didn’t come down.

“Kids are in schools, so it’s tough for the folks to take off four or five days like they do in the summertime when the kids are out,” Arsani said.

NEED A SUMMER RETURN

With the special snapper season receiving mixed reviews, most people are hoping next year’s snapper season is right where it should be-in the summer.

A return to a typical snapper season in June would have a much bigger economic impact, but there’s no guarantees what next year will bring.

Captain Frady says he’ll adapt to whatever happens.

“Either way we’ll be on the water whether the season is open or closed out on the water catching some fish. We may not just be able to keep them all,” Captain Frady told us.

NEXT YEAR

Typically the national marine fisheries service decides on snapper season in February, so anglers will have to wait until then to make plans for next year’s season.