Vermilion snapper fishing out of Little River runs March through October, and the species turns up consistently on the bottom in the Little River Fleet and Voyager reports. The fleet has taken them around 45 miles out, in about 85 ft of water. Every run starts at Little River Inlet. This guide covers the season, the run, the named grounds with their depths, and the method the fleet uses. For the wider coast, see the vermilion snapper fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the wider Atlantic Southeast guide.
When vermilion are here
Vermilion snapper are reported March through October, a constant bottom species in the Little River Fleet and Voyager reports. Treat that as a reported window, not a guarantee. For biology and general habits, see our vermilion snapper species guide.
How far boats run and how deep
The Little River Fleet has taken vermilion around 45 miles out, in about 85 ft. Where a source gives a distance, it is measured from Little River Inlet. The named grounds below run from nearshore to offshore, so you can see where each one sits against the 85 ft mark.
Grounds and structure off Little River Inlet
These are the named reefs, wrecks and areas off the inlet, ordered nearshore to offshore. PA-02 and PA-04 carry their designations from the South Carolina permitted reef sites list.
| Name | Depth (ft) | Distance / bearing |
|---|---|---|
| Little River Reef | 25 | |
| Ninety Ninety Rock | within a few miles of land | |
| Three Mile Reef | ||
| General Sherman Wreck | 48 | |
| Little River Offshore Reef (PA-02) | 55 | 156 degrees, 10.5 nm from Little River Inlet |
| Ron McManus Memorial Reef (PA-04) | ||
| BP-25 Reef | 92 | |
| Blackjack | named offshore area |
These are named structures to put on your plotter. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Little River Reef
Little River Reef is the shallowest named structure here, at 25 ft, well shallower than the 85 ft the fleet reports for vermilion.
Ninety Ninety Rock
Ninety Ninety Rock is described as within a few miles of land.
Three Mile Reef
Three Mile Reef is a named nearshore reef off the inlet.
General Sherman Wreck
General Sherman Wreck is a wreck in 48 ft.
Little River Offshore Reef (PA-02)
PA-02 sits in 55 ft, on a bearing of 156 degrees, 10.5 nm from Little River Inlet. It is the only ground on this list with both a bearing and a distance.
Ron McManus Memorial Reef (PA-04)
Ron McManus Memorial Reef carries the PA-04 permitted reef designation.
BP-25 Reef
BP-25 Reef is the deepest figure on this list, at 92 ft, compared with the roughly 85 ft the fleet reports for vermilion.
Blackjack
Blackjack is a named offshore fishing area known for blackfin tuna and mahi.
How vermilion are fished out of Little River
The local method is cut squid on bottom rigs.
Cut squid on bottom rigs
Cut squid on bottom rigs is what the fleet reports for vermilion on this stretch of coast. Keep the setup simple and put the bait on the bottom.
Scaling down with triggers
If you’re targeting vermilion on the same bottom as gray triggerfish, scale down your tackle for the vermilion. The two fish share ground, and the lighter gear is meant for the vermilion. Our reef fish guides cover the other species on that bottom.
Who fishes for vermilion out of Little River
The fleet’s pattern is a run of about 45 miles, to about 85 ft, with cut squid on bottom rigs. A private boat can reproduce that part of the trip.
Voyager Fishing Charters
Voyager Fishing Charters (Voyager Deep Sea Fishing & Dolphin Cruises) lists vermilion snapper on its Super Voyager III and Continental Shelf trips. See Voyager’s deep sea fishing trips for the operator’s own listing.
Captain Smiley Fishing Charters
Captain Smiley Fishing Charters also lists vermilion snapper.
FAQ: vermilion snapper out of Little River
When is vermilion season out of Little River?
Vermilion are reported March through October, a constant bottom species in the Little River Fleet and Voyager reports. Treat that as a reported window, not a guarantee of fish on any given day.
How far do boats run for vermilion out of Little River?
The Little River Fleet has taken vermilion around 45 miles out, measured from Little River Inlet. For a nearer named reference, PA-02 sits 10.5 nm out on a bearing of 156 degrees from the inlet.
What depth are vermilion in off Little River?
The reported depth is about 85 ft. For reference, the named grounds run from 25 ft at Little River Reef to 92 ft at BP-25 Reef. Those figures describe the structure, not where the fish will be on a given day.
What bait do local boats use for vermilion?
Cut squid on bottom rigs is the method used locally. When you fish vermilion on the same bottom as gray triggerfish, scale down your tackle for the vermilion.
Which local boats target vermilion out of Little River?
Voyager Fishing Charters lists vermilion snapper on its Super Voyager III and Continental Shelf trips. Captain Smiley Fishing Charters also lists vermilion snapper.
