Where boats run for vermilion snapper out of Cortez
Vermilion snapper fishing out of Cortez means a 20 to 30 mile run offshore. You leave Cortez, through Longboat Pass, the gap between Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island in Manatee County, and the numbers below are what you plan the day around. The wider picture is in the vermilion snapper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide.
The 20 to 30 mile run
Florida Fishing Fleet’s 8-hour trip runs 20 to 30 miles offshore for vermilion snapper. The species is also fished on its 10-hour trip.
The named reefs off Longboat Pass all sit inside 15 miles, in 16 to 46 ft. The farthest, Anna Maria Ledge at 14.7 miles, is still short of the 20 to 30 mile run.
Reading conditions off Anna Maria
NDBC station ANMF1 at Anna Maria (27.538N 82.739W) is the nearest station, but its page shows no recent observations. For wind and seas, check the NWS Tampa Bay coastal forecast before you commit to the run.
Reefs and ledges off Longboat Pass and Anna Maria Island
Longboat Pass is the zero point for most of the grounds below. Two reefs are measured from points on Anna Maria Island instead, so check the last column before plotting anything.
| Name | Depth (ft) | Distance | Bearing | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Near Shore Reef | 16 | 0.6 miles | 321° | Longboat Pass |
| 3 Mile South Reef | 30 | 3.5 miles | 270° | Longboat Pass |
| 1 Mile Reef | 25 | 4.3 nm | 320° | Longboat Pass entrance |
| Gucken Reef | 33 | 4.6 miles | 250° | Tip of Anna Maria Island |
| 3 Mile North Reef | 28 | 7.0 miles | 305° | Longboat Pass |
| 7 Mile South Reef | 40 | 8.0 miles | 270° | Longboat Pass |
| 7 Mile North Reef | 40 | 8.2 miles | 270° | NW tip of Anna Maria Island |
| Anna Maria Ledge | 46 | 14.7 miles | 290° | Longboat Pass |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
These bearings and distances are for planning, not navigation, so check them against the official chart. For the wider reef-fish picture around these grounds, see our reef fish guides.
Inside 5 miles
Near Shore Reef, 3 Mile South, 1 Mile Reef and Gucken Reef all sit inside 5 miles, in 16 to 33 ft.
The names don’t match the distances. 1 Mile Reef is 4.3 nm out, and 3 Mile South is 3.5 miles out. 1 Mile Reef is also listed in nautical miles while the rest are in statute miles. Gucken Reef is measured from the tip of Anna Maria Island rather than the pass.
The 7 Mile reefs
7 Mile South is 40 ft, 8.0 miles at 270° from Longboat Pass. 7 Mile North is 40 ft, 8.2 miles at 270° from the NW tip of Anna Maria Island. Both share the 270° bearing but start from different origins, so they shouldn’t both be plotted from the pass.
3 Mile North Reef belongs in the same distance band despite its name: 28 ft, 7.0 miles at 305° from Longboat Pass.
Anna Maria Ledge
Anna Maria Ledge is the deepest and farthest named structure: 46 ft, 14.7 miles at 290° from Longboat Pass. The 8-hour trip runs past it, to 20 to 30 miles.
When and how vermilion snapper are fished from Cortez
The local frame is trip length. Vermilion snapper are on Florida Fishing Fleet’s 8-hour and 10-hour trips, which makes this a full-day offshore fishery from this port. Some anglers know the fish as beeliners. For timing, depth preference, rigs and handling, use our vermilion snapper guide.
Who fishes for vermilion snapper out of Cortez
Florida Fishing Fleet out of Cortez lists vermilion snapper on two trips:
- 8-hour trip: 20 to 30 miles offshore
- 10-hour trip: vermilion snapper also fished
Its named vessels are:
- Savage Lady
- Kingpin
- Florida Man
- Little Savage
If you run your own boat, the 20 to 30 mile party-boat range is the benchmark distance for planning your run.
FAQ: vermilion snapper out of Cortez
How far offshore do boats run for vermilion snapper from Cortez?
Florida Fishing Fleet’s 8-hour trip runs 20 to 30 miles offshore for vermilion snapper. The species is also fished on its 10-hour trip.
Which trips from Cortez target vermilion snapper?
Florida Fishing Fleet lists vermilion snapper on its 8-hour and 10-hour trips. Its named vessels are Savage Lady, Kingpin, Florida Man and Little Savage.
What is the deepest named structure off Longboat Pass?
Anna Maria Ledge, at 46 ft, 14.7 miles at 290° from Longboat Pass. All the named reefs sit in 16 to 46 ft and inside 15 miles.
Where is the nearest buoy to Cortez?
NDBC station ANMF1, Anna Maria, FL, at 27.538N 82.739W. Its page shows no recent observations, so use the NWS coastal waters forecast for wind and seas.
Which reefs are measured from Anna Maria Island instead of Longboat Pass?
Gucken Reef is 4.6 miles at 250° from the tip of Anna Maria Island. 7 Mile North Reef is 8.2 miles at 270° from the NW tip of Anna Maria Island. These figures are for planning, not navigation.
