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Fishing Report for the Florida Panhandle
Capt. Alex Crawford
June 20, 2003
Carrabelle - Saltwater Fishing Report
What the hell is a vermilion? That’s the question one of my anglers asked this week, as he lifted one over the gunwale. Excellent question, here’s the answer and more.
Webster defines vermilion as a bright red color. I define vermilion snapper as one of the best eating of the snapper family, right up there with yellowtails and hogfish. This smaller cousin of the red snapper is sashimi- grade good eats. With a razor-sharp fillet knife, shave the fillets paper- thin and put them in a Ziploc bag with a squeezed lime or a little soy. Bury the bag in crushed ice for an hour to marinate. Onboard lunch sushi bar is hard to beat.
Other colloquial names for vermilions include mingos and beeliners. These little snappers with the big eyes live in the Northern Gulf of Mexico on limestone ledges, coral reefs and deep water wrecks. We found them ganged up on the Flaming Star, a shrimp boat wreck in 80 feet of water, 13 miles southeast of the Government Cut. The current was running strong and every piece of cut bait and squid was inhaled by a beeliner, mangrove or red snapper. Anchoring on a corner of the wreck prevents cut offs in the steel.
Over in Destin, the headboats target beeliners 20 miles south on what are called the mingo ridges. Since there is no limit in the Gulf, these party boats really hammer the fishery. It is possible that our grandchildren will be able to catch a vermilion snapper, if there are any left.
Heavy tackle really defeats the purpose of having fun catching these critters that average a pound or two. My beeliner outfits are ten pound class spinning reels on graphite sticks with minimal weight and #1 Owner Mutu-lite hooks. Twenty pound Seaguar fluorocarbon works great. If a red or mangrove bites, you will be in for a fight. One of the best baits is small pieces of cut snapper. Try it, you’ll like it. Sometimes we accidentally catch beeliners while sabiki-fishing for bait. Turn them loose, since they will not live in your livebait well.
Every fishing trip does not have to be about big fish. Next time out, try the great-eating and fun to catch vermilion snapper. It is the saltwater equivalent of freshwater crappie and panfishing. And if you don’t enjoy this laid-back, more simple angling, consider changing sports.
Till next tide, tight lines and solid hookups,
Captain Alex Crawford
www.topknots.com
Proud Member Florida Outdoor Writers Association
Proud Member Florida Guides Association
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