Every distance and bearing on this page runs from Clearwater Pass, and the Clearwater port guide covers the pass and conditions in detail. This briefing is for owners planning vermilion snapper fishing out of Clearwater on their own boats. It covers when the fish are around, how far the long-trip boats run, and what charted structure sits off the pass. It won’t promise fish, but it should help you decide where to look. The wider picture is in the vermilion snapper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico region guide.
When vermilion snapper are around Clearwater
The season is summer, and the trips that list vermilion are the long ones.
Summer
For general behavior, depth and tackle, use the vermilion snapper guide. This page stays with the port.
Fished alongside red snapper trips
Double Eagle lists vermilion for Double Eagle’s red snapper trips. On those days vermilion are part of a mixed bag, caught on the long offshore runs described in the next section.
How far Clearwater boats run
Two local operators list vermilion, and both run long days.
10- and 12-hour trips
Stella runs 10- and 12-hour trips, and Double Eagle runs 12-hour trips. On both, vermilion are mixed in with red snapper and red grouper. A 10- to 12-hour day points to a long offshore run, longer than the charted spots inside 15 mi would need. No depth is published here for the long-trip grounds.
Reading conditions at CWBF1
The nearest buoy is NDBC station CWBF1 at Clearwater Beach (27.978N 82.832W), which is also NOAA tide station 8726724. Before a run, read the numbers: wind, plus wave height and period where the station reports them. Check the official NWS marine forecast for the offshore zone as well.
Grounds and structure off Clearwater Pass
The spots below are charted artificial reef and ledge structure off the pass, from 5.0 to 14.3 mi and 20 to 55 ft. They are reference points you run past and use. Vermilion have not been reported on them.
| Ground | Depth (ft) | Miles from pass | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sand Key Reef | 20 | 5.0 | 194° |
| Clearwater Reef | 27 to 32 | 5.0 | 311° |
| Dunedin Reef | 27 to 33 | ||
| Loggerhead Ledge | 40 | 9.4 | |
| Rube Alan Reef | 50 | 12.0 | 260° |
| Veteran Reef | 45 | 12.8 | 300° |
| Gregs Ledge | 55 | 13.8 | 289° |
| Indian Shores Reef | 42 | 14.3 | 238° |
Miles and bearings are from Clearwater Pass. Clearwater Reef’s position is per ReefsNwrecks. You can view these grounds on Chart Contours in the app. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Inside 10 miles
Sand Key Reef and Clearwater Reef both sit 5.0 mi from the pass, on bearings of 194° and 311°. Dunedin Reef holds 27 to 33 ft. Loggerhead Ledge sits at 40 ft and 9.4 mi.
12 to 15 miles out
Four spots make up the outer group:
- Rube Alan Reef: 50 ft, 12.0 mi at 260°
- Veteran Reef: 45 ft, 12.8 mi at 300°
- Gregs Ledge: 55 ft, 13.8 mi at 289°
- Indian Shores Reef: 42 ft, 14.3 mi at 238°
These are the farthest charted spots here, all at 55 ft or shallower. The long trips that list vermilion run beyond what these spots need.
How vermilion are fished from Clearwater and who runs for them
Bottom fishing is the local method on the long trips, and two operators list the species.
Bottom fishing on the long trips
The catch on these trips is a mixed bag of vermilion, red snapper and red grouper. For the regional picture on the other two, see the Gulf reef fish guides.
Double Eagle Deep Sea Fishing
Double Eagle Deep Sea Fishing runs the Double Eagle II and Double Eagle III. Its 12-hour trips list vermilion.
Stella Fishing Co.
Stella Fishing Co. runs 10- and 12-hour trips. See the Stella Fishing Co. trip list.
FAQ
When is vermilion snapper season out of Clearwater?
The season is summer. Double Eagle lists vermilion for its red snapper trips.
How long are the vermilion trips?
Stella runs 10- and 12-hour trips, and Double Eagle runs 12-hour trips. Vermilion are mixed in with red snapper and red grouper on both. No mileage or depth is published for these trips here.
What depth are the grounds off Clearwater Pass?
The charted named grounds run from 20 ft at Sand Key Reef to 55 ft at Gregs Ledge, at 5.0 to 14.3 mi from the pass. The long-trip water has no published depth here.
Which buoy should I check?
NDBC station CWBF1 at Clearwater Beach, 27.978N 82.832W, which is also tide station 8726724. Read wind, wave height and period as numbers, and check the official forecast.
Who runs vermilion trips from Clearwater?
Double Eagle Deep Sea Fishing, with the Double Eagle II and Double Eagle III, and Stella Fishing Co. Both run long bottom-fishing trips.
