The author captured a sizeable snapper using soft plastics prior to the closure.
Tips for snapper post-closure
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These were a couple of the snapper caught using soft plastics prior to the closure.
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Page 34 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023
RESH mornings are still to come for we fishos in southeast Queensland. In my opinion, August is a great month for all sorts of fishing – from offshore to impoundments – and often it can be quite a tricky situation simply determining what type of fishing to do on the day. Offshore on the Gold Coast, we’re lucky enough to have the end of the snapper closure on August 15, and catching this species should come back with a bang! Before the closure, I gave these fish a good crack using light gear and had so much fun doing so. I focused on targeting these fish using lures such as vibes and soft plastics and found I had quite a bit of luck. I prefer to fish for snapper early in the morning and, if that can be lined up with a sunrise and a tide change, chances will be fairly high. Off the Gold Coast,
Nerang Rooster Report by DARREN RAMA
I favour the closer reefs from about 30m to 45m, as I’ve found these areas are where I have the most success. The way I fish for them is drifting, so I can cover as much ground as possible until finding the fish school I’m after. When it comes to soft plastics, I vary the weight depending on the wind and current because I prefer to cast in the direction of my drift and want the plastic to slowly waft down towards the bottom as naturally as possible. A high percentage of the time, the plastic is eaten on the sink. If you’re fishing an open bail arm, always make sure you are watching the line speed for the whole sink, so if there are any variations in speed, it will indicate that a fish has grabbed it. The weights that are my go-to are 1/2, 3/8
and 1/4oz jig heads and 3-5/0, depending on plastic size. When it comes to plastic options, there are so many on the market to choose from. My advice is to choose a jerk shad and paddle tail style in 5-7” and mix it up until you discover what works on the day. Another good technique is fishing with soft vibes, as you can let these sink to the bottom, place them in the rod holder and the movement of the boat is generally enough to get the lure to vibrate and grab the attention of the fish. When it comes to the tackle, I normally take only three rods and they range from 6-20lb with 2500-4000 sized reels and 12-20lb line. If I’m using light jig heads, I prefer to use lighter rods and heavy gear for the vibes. * continued P35
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