Well even with good numbers of squid, flathead, gummy sharks and salmon about in both bays for anglers this time of year its all about snapper! So how do you go about landing a Snapper? There are many things that you can do to increase your chances of landing a big red. The Number one tip I received from my father many years ago is that you have to fish where the fish are. This in its most basic of terms equates to fishing shallow waters (6-15 meters) at night and deeper waters during the day (16-22 meters). Popular Snapper fishing destinations include Mornington, Carrum and St Kilda in Port Phillip Bay and Hastings, Crib Point, and Rhyll in Western Port Bay. Timing is everything yet nothing at the same time. The peak times to land a snapper are dawn, dusk and the change of tide. My number one saying is that you will not catch a snapper in your office, Mother Nature in all her splendour has made fish both totally predictable and completely unpredictable. Each year I see hundreds of snapper caught with none of the key times in play, you just have to be in it to win it! Snapper fishing can be a waiting game, if you’re approaching a peak fishing time stay put, be patient, and keep those lines in the water. I like to give a snapper spot at least two hours (preferably 1 hour either side of the prime time), then by all means move about or sound around for another spot. For those that are hard core snapper fisho’s, keep a dairy detailing date, time, tide, moon phase, location, weather conditions, bait and results. This will enable you to predict fish movements and help you plan your next snapper sortie. Gearing up: Snapper fishing can be as complex or as simple as you like. From handlines to graphite rods, soft plastics and braided lines, there is a niche for every angler and their style. Personally I opt for a 4-7kg spinning outfit in Port Phillip Bay and a 10kg overhead set-up in Western Port Bay. My rig is always a running sinker rig with the sinker weight dictated by the conditions. I never use a wire trace when snapper fishing, 40-60lb monofilament is ample. Snapper Snatchers/Flasher Rigs, Soft Plastics, Jigs and even Flies all account for there share of snapper, but it’s bait fishing that is the most popular entry level technique. Squid, pilchards, silver whiting, garfish and saurie are the most popular baits for snapper. Use only the freshest baits available, when the snapper are on the bite it wont matter what you offer. The trick is to entice them when they are not in a frenzy mode. Anglers should match their hook size to their bait size, for small baits a size 2/0 hook could be ample but for larger baits a pair of 6/0 hooks may fit the bill. Preparation is key. Any fishing adventure should be planned. Check the weather, there is no point planning to go fishing if the wind is going to blow 30 knots. Make sure you have all that you need, don’t look like a goose and run out of bait, hooks or sinkers. Be sure to have change for your launching fee. Know where your landing net is and most importantly if your boat fishing make sure that you have the correct safety equipment, enough fuel and a charged battery. My top 10 snapper fishing tips: 1) You have to fish where the fish are, 2) Be prepared, 3) Patience, 4) Never use a wire trace, 5) Match your hook size to your bait size, 6) Don’t move during peak times, 7) The fresher the bait the better, 8) Fish as many lines as possible (limit 4 per person), 9) Keep a fishing diary, 10) Relax and enjoy. Pic: James Rodgers of Unreel fishing charters (ph 0416 322 155) got Steven Yau this lovely snapper from the Hospital Mark Tight lines and calm seas Paul Mornington Boat HIre Bait & Tackle
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 21:45:11 +0000
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