Vermilion snapper fishing out of St. Augustine is deep-reef bottom fishing, with fish around 80 ft. Drop Down’s St. Augustine reports put the bite over reefs in 80 to 120 ft. The reefs, depths and positions below should help you pick the drop that fits your run. For the species itself, see our vermilion snapper guide. The wider picture is in the vermilion snapper fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the Atlantic Southeast region guide.
When vermilion are here
There is no dated season for this area. Fishardy lists vermilion snapper on its fall bottom grounds, so plan around that listing and expect the bite to follow the deep reefs rather than a calendar.
- Timing signal: fall bottom grounds
- Depth signal: 80 to 120 ft reefs
Where boats run and the reefs that hold them
The fish are on the deep reefs off St. Augustine. The band is 80 to 120 ft, and a typical drop is about 80 ft. Run distance shapes the plan: Nine Mile Reef is about 9 miles off St. Augustine per Long Line, in 63 ft, while Moody Reef is 26 miles east of St. Augustine, in 100 ft. Coordinates are listed as published.
Reefs inside the 80 to 120 ft band
Four grounds fall inside the band Drop Down reports:
- Capo Reef North, 97 ft, at 29 51 4 N, 80 46 2 W
- Capo Reef South, 97 ft, at 29 50 59 N, 80 46 1 W
- Moody Reef, 100 ft, 26 miles east of St. Augustine
- Intruder Reef 1 and 2, A-6 aircraft frames, 104 ft. Reef 1 is at 29 54 20 N, 80 48 10 W.
Nine Mile reefs and Andy King
These sites run 56 to 80 ft, at or shallower than the typical 80 ft drop, which makes them the closer, shallower option.
- Nine Mile Reef holds the tug Leon Roddy in 63 ft.
- North Nine Mile Reef sites 1 to 7 hold concrete culverts, dumpsters and rubble near 29 54 N, 81 07 W. Listed depths run 56 to 80 ft by site.
- Nine Mile North Reef holds concrete culverts in 56 ft, at 29 54 47 N, 81 07 01 W.
- Andy King Reef sits in the Bridge of Lions permit area, offshore, in 60 ft, at 29 52.591 N, 81 09.207 W.
Reef table
| Reef | Structure | Depth (ft) | Position or distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capo Reef North | not listed | 97 | 29 51 4 N, 80 46 2 W |
| Capo Reef South | not listed | 97 | 29 50 59 N, 80 46 1 W |
| Moody Reef | not listed | 100 | 26 miles east of St. Augustine |
| Intruder Reef 1 and 2 | A-6 aircraft frames | 104 | Reef 1 at 29 54 20 N, 80 48 10 W |
| Nine Mile Reef | Tug Leon Roddy | 63 | About 9 miles off St. Augustine per Long Line |
| North Nine Mile Reef sites 1 to 7 | Concrete culverts, dumpsters, rubble | 56 to 80 | Near 29 54 N, 81 07 W |
| Nine Mile North Reef | Concrete culverts | 56 | 29 54 47 N, 81 07 01 W |
| Andy King Reef | Bridge of Lions permit area | 60 | Offshore, 29 52.591 N, 81 09.207 W |
Chart layers and published coordinates are not for navigation.
Reading conditions before the run
NOAA NDBC station 41012 is the nearest station, and it has no active replacement buoy. Get wind, wave height and period figures from the official NWS marine forecast before you commit to the run.
How it is fished here
The local method is bottom fishing with cut bait or whole bait. For general rigging, see our reef fish guides.
Who fishes for vermilion out of St. Augustine
These St. Augustine charters list vermilion snapper:
- Fishardy Charters
- Endless Summer Charters
- Drop Down Sport Fish Charters (Captain Alex)
- For What It’s Worth Charters (Captain Chris Worth)
- Sly-Fox out of Conch House (Captain Red Beard and crew)
FAQ
What depth holds vermilion off St. Augustine?
The typical drop is about 80 ft. Drop Down reports the bite over reefs in 80 to 120 ft.
How far is the run?
Nine Mile Reef is about 9 miles out in 63 ft. Moody Reef is 26 miles east of St. Augustine in 100 ft.
Which reefs are in the 80 to 120 ft band?
Capo Reef North and South (97 ft), Moody Reef (100 ft) and Intruder Reef 1 and 2 (104 ft).
How do locals fish them?
Locals bottom fish with cut or whole bait over the deep reefs.
Where do I check the rules?
Use the Florida regulations page before fishing. These are Atlantic waters.
