When it comes to fishing, you need to know your limit

After missing the three-day red snapper season due to Tropical Storm Elsa, Brody and I set out to pick on their smaller cousins, the vermillion snapper. While lacking the size and strength of American red snapper, vermillion snapper are abundant, easy to catch and tasty.

Since we have established that Brody, the amazing fish-finding and stock-trading dog, is smarter than me, I left the planning of the vermillion snapper trip to him. He checked the offshore marine forecast, selected the calmest day, and invited my brother Dave and his son-in-law, Sean, to join us.

On Saturday, we met on my dock at 6 a.m. and set course for some live bottom ledges in 100 feet of water. Conditions were rougher than forecast and it took us over an hour to arrive at the ledges. Upon arrival, we idled around watching the depth finder looking for a large school of vermilion. It took a bit of looking but we eventually found the fish.

The crew began fishing with Shimano Flat Fall jigs and two-hook dropper rigs baited with squid. The bite was hot. Our only problem was that Brody kept on eating the squid that we brought for bait. Thankfully, we were using food grade squid and he had no ill effects.

After an hour of steady catching, we ran out of squid. Everyone stared at Brody accusingly. He just sat at the helm looking full.

Given the break in the action, we decided to double check our fish count. As it turned out, we were at our limit of vermilion. The crew agreed that Brody was smarter than me. He kept us from exceeding our legal limit (which was my job).

Before heading for home, Dave and Sean asked Brody to take their picture. Brody may be smarter than me but he can’t take pictures worth a hoot.

Contact Captain Greg Peralta at captgregp@gmail.com or call 843-224-0099.