Catch vermilion snapper 30 miles offshore

We are in week number two of Brody’s no beef jerky diet. Things are getting tough. His passive aggressive behavior has transitioned into lethargy and depression. He does not want to fish. His stock portfolio is a mess, and he sleeps all the time. So, I called his veterinarian for a little advice. She recommended that we substitute a food that Brody likes for beef jerky. Then, she quickly added but not steak. This sent Brody even deeper into depression.  

 

Brody has three food groups: beef jerky, steak, and ice cream. We needed another more healthy food group. After a bit of negotiating, Brody agreed to eat fish. However, he was very specific as to what fish, vermilion snapper. While vermilion snapper are plentiful, they inhabit offshore waters. I tried to interest Brody in spotted sea trout or flounder (both of which we can catch in our backyard). Then I realized this as a negotiating tactic for steak. For vermilion snapper we have to go 30 miles offshore. For steak we simply have to go to Publix. Even depressed, Brody is clever.

 

Calling his bluff, I agreed to vermilion snapper. So, we loaded the offshore boat with vertical jigging gear and headed to the Y73 reef. Upon arrival at the reef, I dropped an 80-gram Shimano Wing Fall jig to the bottom. A large amberjack ate the jig and a brutal 10-minute fight ensued.  After releasing the fish, I made another drop and hooked another big and mean amberjack.  During the fight, I thought steak from Publix was definitely the better option.

 

Before giving up, I moved the boat to a smaller piece of structure and began catching vermilion snapper. It only took a few minutes to catch our limit of five. On the ride home, I did the math in my head. Sixty-mile round trip. Forty gallons of non-ethanol fuel. Each vermilion snapper cost $45. Steak from Publix was definitely the better option.

 

Back at the dock, Brody seemed more like himself. He even asked me to take a picture of him with the snapper. As I framed the shot, he looked happy. Anyone want to go fishing for vermilion snapper?

 

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