Can I target vermillion?

Try diving.

Also, I don't know if others have experienced this or if there's any correlation,  but it seems like if I'm getting into more coppers than blues/blacks, there seem to be more verms in the mix as well.

Yep.

Try fishing somewhere else     

Seriously though, some areas seem to just have more reds.

Bingo. There really is a lot to that point.

Also, I don't know if others have experienced this or if there's any correlation,  but it seems like if I'm getting into more coppers than blues/blacks, there seem to be more verms in the mix as well.

Yup. I've noticed that too. When I'm in the coppers fingers are definitely crossed. 45' - 75' FOW, targeting pinnacles. 
As for bait, I've caught em on all kinds of stuff but white/ pearl plastics tends to work. I missed a real nice one on a pearl colored bait last weekend.

Mike

Of course your fishfinder is your friend finding fish that are suspended. The trick is the right bait for what is suspended ?   
I was on a kick for a while catching yellows tail rockfish and olive rock fish out near carmel until this ling epidemic. 

Are you fishing in Southern CA for Garabaldis? Never seen em in Northern CA

I always have luck catching reds using carolina rigs with whole squid for bait in the deep water 80 -120 ft. 



-Kiel

Haha, you see an orange fish in a aquarium, then hear its name and ask a queation and bam joke is on the new guy. Have fun with your snipe hunts you children 

Rock fish are pretty stupid. It is usually not about the what, it's about the where and when. If the conditions are right and they are hungry, you could put a banana peel on a hook and catch them.

Rock fish are pretty stupid. It is usually not about the what, it's about the where and when. If the conditions are right and they are hungry, you could put a banana peel on a hook and catch them.

+1

Rock fish are pretty stupid. It is usually not about the what, it's about the where and when. If the conditions are right and they are hungry, you could put a banana peel on a hook and catch them.

Your not getting me with that one. Banana's on boats or kayaks is BAD luck... 

Alex

A lot of my verms were caught on the the teaser fly while I was eating or otherwise busy. In other words, they hit it while stationary. And a dark fly. Ive heard this before from a few of the saltys. They also said verms like to hang out just off of steep shelves.

Rock fish are pretty stupid. It is usually not about the what, it's about the where and when. If the conditions are right and they are hungry, you could put a banana peel on a hook and catch them.

Your not getting me with that one. Banana's on boats or kayaks is BAD luck... 

Alex

Banana peel jigs were popular several years ago and there were a lot of big fish caught on them. 
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=17179.msg168430#msg168430

I used to fish with a guy who only used one lure for rockfish, a green scampi. He caught big rockfish and lings and out fished me on most days.

They also said verms like to hang out just off of steep shelves.

BINGO!

I have always had the best luck off shelfs that drop off quickly from 40' down to 90'/100' .

Is there a way to target vermillion? I've got to be close to 100 yak ocean trips and I've never seen one. I focus on ling, but happy to switch up if it's necessary.

Almost always 70'-120' - jig, bait squid/herring/sardine.

I do find that even if the verms are around, If there are just too many other rock fish in the area the bait will be in its mouth.
best advice explore other fishing grounds.

Check the youtube link I put below.  Dan Hernandez with Sport Fishing talks about a rig setup that works well for big reds.  He likes the bucktails and is always talking about them.  Last weekend I went out, put one on with a plastic Berkley grub and POW the fish loved it.