Persistence pays off
T
Jewfish are always a welcome by-catch when snapper fishing. This little one was released to fight another day.
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Page 10 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing June 2022
HE temperature dropping across southeast Queensland means one thing for many Brisbane anglers… snapper time! Keeping in mind of course that snapper are a no-take species from July 15 to August 15. Apart from the closure, snapper can be targeted year-round in Moreton Bay. However from June through to September numbers will increase and condense – coinciding with cool water and their annual breeding cycle. When these conditions occur, the process of catching these beautiful fish becomes a little easier. Mind-blowing sessions of screaming drags and multiple hook-ups aren’t uncommon. Knowing where to be and what time to be there is half the battle. Chasing snapper in Moreton Bay has been a real challenge for me. I first started chasing this fish 25 years ago and being able to catch them consistently has been hard work and very frustrating. It’s taken many years of trial and error – pulling the dreaded doughnut more times than I care to remember. Though perseverance eventually paid off. I cracked the code and now enjoy the spectacular snapper-fishing Moreton Bay has to offer. Taking notes of tides, moon phases, wind direction, bite periods and such will certainly point you in the right direction. Patterns will slowly begin to emerge and give you a great insight into
Moreton Bay by DAVID WHITE
these smart and sometimes fussy feeders – particularly the big ones. Piecing the puzzle together of your desired species while arduous is extremely rewarding and exciting – results will start to flow in dribs and drabs and make you even more determined. I am a strong believer that snapper feed more aggressively around particular moon phases and tides. Paying attention to these subtle points will certainly help and at times can make the difference between maximising your chances or missing out on a very narrow bite period. At the time of writing, some quality early season snapper up to 80cm have been boated. If this is anything to go by, we should be in for a cracker season! Areas of interest will involve finding structure first. Structure comes in
many forms – reefs, ledges, drop-offs, wrecks and artificial reefs. Many overlooked areas are less pronounced – gravel beds, broken ground, muscle beds and wire weed. These low-profile areas also hold large snapper that readily roam while foraging for their next meal. It’s worthwhile spending time in these locations because you’ll benefit also from a little less fishing pressure and traffic. Understanding your sounder of choice is paramount – another important tool to have in your arsenal – and learning how to interpret bottom hardness, fish schools and bait will put you ahead of the pack. There are many techniques and rigs for catching snapper. All have their time and place and catch fish. continued P12
The author with a snapper that couldn’t resist a whole winter whiting. www.bnbfishing.com. au
