Where vermilion snapper hold off Islamorada
Vermilion snapper fishing out of Islamorada happens in deep water on the Atlantic side of the Upper Keys, past the reef line. The fish sit on bottom beyond the reefs, most of it unnamed. For ramps, marinas, channels and conditions, see the Islamorada port page. The wider picture is in the vermilion snapper fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the Atlantic Southeast region guide.
How far boats run
Boats run to deep water beyond the reef. The one named deep feature is the Islamorada Hump, a seamount at 200 ft, about 15 miles offshore of Islamorada.
When they are fished
Vermilion off Islamorada are a deep-water bottom fish with no named local run or season. Depth range, biology and general timing are covered in the vermilion snapper species guide.
Grounds and structure off Islamorada
Structure here sorts by depth, and vermilion are fished in the deep water. The reefs and wrecks serve as landmarks on the run out. For more on reef fish generally, see the reef fish guides. Chart and map layers are for planning and should not be used for navigation.
| Site | Type | Depth | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Islamorada Hump | seamount | 200 ft | about 15 miles offshore |
| San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve | Spanish galleon | 18 ft | |
| Alligator Lighthouse and Cheeca Rocks | shallow reefs | 6 ft | |
| Alligator Reef, Molasses Reef, Eagle Wreck, Bibb Wreck, Duane Wreck | named reefs and wrecks |
Islamorada Hump
The Hump is a seamount at 200 ft, about 15 miles offshore of Islamorada. It is the one named feature among largely unnamed deep grounds.
Reefs and wrecks on the run out
Alligator Reef, Molasses Reef, Eagle Wreck, Bibb Wreck and Duane Wreck are the named structure along the run out.
Shallow landmarks
The San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve, a Spanish galleon, sits at 18 ft. Alligator Lighthouse and Cheeca Rocks are shallow reefs at 6 ft. Vermilion are fished in deeper water than any of these.
How vermilion are fished from Islamorada
The local method is deep-water drops with chicken rigs.
Deep drops
Boats drop baits to the bottom in deep water and fish them there.
Chicken rigs and bait
A chicken rig is a multi-hook bottom rig, and locally it is baited with squid.
Who fishes vermilion out of Islamorada
Charter fishing for vermilion out of Islamorada is a small field, and one operation lists the species.
DirtyBoat Charters
DirtyBoat Charters runs out of Robbie’s Marina with Captain Kit Mobley aboard a 42 ft Liberty Express. It lists vermilion snapper among its species.
FAQ about vermilion snapper fishing out of Islamorada
How far offshore is the Islamorada Hump?
The Hump is about 15 miles offshore of Islamorada. It is the named deep feature for vermilion here, set among largely unnamed deep bottom.
How deep is the Islamorada Hump?
The Hump sits at 200 ft. It is a seamount that stands out against the deep, largely unnamed bottom around it.
What rig and bait are used for vermilion off Islamorada?
Boats fish deep drops with chicken rigs baited with squid. A chicken rig is a multi-hook bottom rig dropped to the bottom in deep water.
Are San Pedro or Cheeca Rocks vermilion spots?
No. They are shallow landmarks: San Pedro is at 18 ft, and Cheeca Rocks and Alligator Lighthouse are at 6 ft. Vermilion are fished in deep water.
Which Islamorada charter lists vermilion snapper?
DirtyBoat Charters lists vermilion snapper. It runs out of Robbie’s Marina with Captain Kit Mobley on a 42 ft Liberty Express.
