The Australasian snapper or “Pagrus auratus” is a species of porgie (as are Bream) found in coastal waters of New Zealand and Australia. Although it is almost universally known in these countries as snapper it does not belong to the Lutjanidae family as with most other technical “Snapper” species.They are a popular recreational fish. The current IGFA all tackle record is 17.20 kilograms (38lb), caught in 1992 near Mottiti Island, New Zealand. The legal size in Australia varies by state and in Queensland it presently stands at a minimum of 35 cm and a bag limit of 5 fish per person. Minimum sizes are supposed to be designed to allow these fish to participate in spawning runs at least once before they become available to the fishery, however given the slow growth rates of this species, there is much discussion to consider area closures and/or further increasing the minimum sizes in each state to reduce the chances of growth over fishing.
Pictured above: BFO member JamesW never under estimates the power of hardbodies to catch Mud Island Snapper. Just make sure your trebles and split rings are up to it when a beast comes along!
Although well known locally as a “reef fish” with many anglers heading out wide to target them, many snapper at respectable sizes are caught in Moreton Bay with plenty of fish even heading up the Brisbane River. The key as expressed to several keen Snapper anglers is the terrain. While sourcing information for this article, several BFO members kindly offered some helpful insites and tactics into Moreton Bay snapper fishing:
1: find the cover and structure. Snapper will often congregate around anything that attracts bait. So pilons, beacons and rock bars in the bay are all worth a flick with a plastic. Alternatively anchor up and float pilchards or live baits towards these targets.
Pictured Above: A 40cm Squire from the rock wall at the front of the Brisbane River. This fish was caught hopping 4 Inch GULPS over the rocks into the slightly deeper water.
2: around islands like Mud and Peel the Snapper can often be found in the shallower waters early in the morning. This is a prime time to be targeting them with light rigs and plastics. Maybe of the bottoms in these areas are rubble so although you can be bricked, there is a better chance of playing the fish without the concerns of serious structure.
3: although early morning, night and late afternoon are known to produce more fish, Snapper can be targeted all day long. Try the deeper water and steep drop offs later in the day.
4: Snapper are a schooling fish and will often school with fish of varying sizes. If you find that it’s a “nursery” of smaller fish, try and larger lure or bait. This can often entice the brute in the pack!
Pictured Above: BFO member silver_rex with a nice nightime caught Scarborough Snapper!
Pictured Below: BFO member Keen-as-fisho landed this nice sized Snapper in the Bay on a light spin gear and a Jackal. Dangerous but effective way to fish Jackals!
A wide range of gear is used by anglers targeting Snapper in the bay. Gear choice really comes down to how you plan on targeting them. Fishing plastics in the shallows, many anglers get away with (and benefit from the thrill and sport of) using bream grade gear and soft plastics. Many will also argue this lighter approach entices more fish in the first place.
Maybe bait fishermen prefer the slightly heavier rigged approach. Baitrunners are also popular for this purpose. Floating lining and light rigs is the favoured technique. The inner bay is just not that deep which allows you to get away lighter weights in most cases. This can of course be affected by tides and currents and will have to be assessed situation by situation. Most anglers simply use the old adage “go as light as you can get away with”.
Good luck to all those having a crack at Snapper in the upcoming 2010 Moreton Bay Classic!
Pictured Left: BFO member Ian Gorrie with a nice kayak caught squire. This fish was picked up at Wellington point during a BFO social and was caught on an Octopus bait.
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