The snapper basics you need to know

Snapper is a common deep-sea fish found all along the Australian coastline.

You can target them year-round in most states – Queensland and particularly South Australia have closed seasons, so check your local regulations – with differing tides and times playing a key role.

I’ve found the best time to chase snapper is at first light. This has resulted in quite a few ‘trophy fish’ for me this season.

Because some of us need to be home before dark, I know of many anglers who have also found good snapper during the last light.

The best way to target snapper is to use a sounder to find where the fish are congregating. Snapper typically sound as curved arches in the water profile, or stick-like figures sitting just off the bottom and sometimes in the mid-water column.

I search around for rocky shelf bottoms and reef-like foundations that will generally always produce fish.

The depth to find snapper all comes down to time and boat accessibility as you can fish for them in shallow bays with a depth of only 5.0 metres, or head far offshore and find them in much greater depths of water.

Their location and depth will also vary based on seasonal fish migration.

Venture out after dark on a full moon over a shallow reef and you may see quality fish rise in the water column, right up to the surface. In this situation, a floating bait will work much better than a weighted one sent down to the bottom.

There are a few different ways to target snapper once you’ve found them. I’ve found a large white jerk minnow to be very successful with a 5/0 hook on a weighted jighead.

The jig’s weight will vary depending on how deep you are fishing.

There are plenty of good-size fish in shallow water that will also hit plastics. You want to cast out as far as you can and slowly let the plastic flutter down towards the bottom.

Most times the snapper will smash the plastic soon after hitting the water, so set the drag before casting to avert disaster and another tale of the one that got away.

Another proven method for fishing offshore is using a basic pilchard rigged in full on a trusty old Gamakatsu 5/0 octopus-style hook. Simply drop this over the side of the boat and wait for the action.

My rig of choice for both these methods is an Atomic Offshore 7.0-foot 20-40lb spin rod. I find the bigger-size rod extremely versatile as an all-round offshore outfit as you never know what you may jag as a by-catch. This way, I am always prepared.

Strike hard when you get a big hit to ensure you set the hook. Snapper have hardy mouths and fight hard with a thumping head movement on the way up – this behaviour is distinctive enough that you’ll know you have a snapper on the line well before you see it.

A trend now amongst most serious anglers, and particularly with the bigger knobbies, is to take a picture and return them to the water.

If practising this method, look after the fish and return to the water as quick as you can, ensuring you cause as little harm as possible.

Most people still like to take home a feed of mid-size pan snapper. If this is you, immediately place them in a saltwater ice slurry – this will result in a much better-tasting dinner.