Port Phillip West

Memorable snapper sessions

PPB WEST Alan Bonnici

alan@fishingmad.com.au

Happy New Year to all Fishing Monthly readers. What a crazy season 2022 was! The last couple of months have been the most challenging and yet the most rewarding fishing I can recall. Winter and spring were quite challenging for most anglers in Port Phillip Bay, as we battled inconsistent weather patterns and consecutive La Niña conditions. However, since then the bay has awoken, and rewarded local anglers with some amazing fishing. I’ve caught more snapper this past month than any other month I can recall.

I’ve travelled far and wide and put in some serious hours in my relentless pursuit of catching these

HOME OF

amazing fish. Recently I’ve fished many various types and styles, from land-based on local piers and jetties, out on the kayak, out on the boat and even out on the jet ski. I have been mixing up ways of targeting these fish with soft plastics, lures and baits, and feeling a sense of pride every time I catch one at a new location or

A tasty trio destined for the pan.

550 TROJAN

117 Northgate Drive THOMASTOWN VIC

sales@triplemmarine.com.au 03 9465 8787

www.triplemmarine.com.au

4.28 BAY SEEKER

5.03 TERRITORY

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

FOR ALL YOUR BLUEWATER NEEDS

AUSTRALIA’S MOST EXTENSIVE RANGE OF BLACK PETE PRODUCTS AND BRANDS We have all these brands INSTORE NOW! and PLENTY MORE!

SALTY CREW

Stripteaser

AND MUCH, MUCH MORE...

WE HAVE • Clothing • Gift vouchers • Gift packs and a HUGE RANGE of tackle and accessories

We would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and safe 2023

OPEN ALL AUSTRALIA DAY WEEKEND

PROUDLY OWNED AND OPERATED BY MICHAEL FELSOVARY

For updates check us out on Facebook Hooked On Bait and Tackle

COME AND SEE US!

This snapper couldn’t resist a strip bait presented on a Snapper Snatcher.

new technique. I never tire of catching these amazing fish, and neither do the hundreds of people that flock to the boat ramps of Port Phillip Bay at crazy hours to get into the action.

I’ve caught countless snapper between 2-4kg and had some very memorable sessions on the water catching bags of snapper over 6kg. In my last session, I launched at Altona and ventured up to P2, a popular snapper fishing spot. I stayed away from the crowds and spent some time staring at the sounder looking for arches holding in the bottom third of the water column.

After 15 minutes I saw something that looked worth a shot. I carefully anchored, ensuring I was within close proximity of the waypoint I created. I quickly threw out some berley and a spread of rods, and that was when things went crazy. Three rods bucked at the same time, and we were juggling rods and tangled lines. As I pulled in the first snapper, the 4th rod also bucked over. It was 10 minutes of pure adrenaline and chaos. As I pulled in the last rod I looked at the deck to see four magnificent snapper ranging from 4-7kg, with the smallest going 54cm and the biggest 78cm. These are those moments that reward you for the countless hours on the water and super early starts. On this day we headed out at 10:30 and were back at the boat ramp by 11:45, stopping on the way back to catch a few salmon that was busting up near the cardinal.

The following day we launched again from Altona and ventured across the bay, heading straight to Black Rock and Ricketts Point – aging notorious snapper grounds that are very popular with local anglers. This time we didn’t bring any bait and decided to fish in shallower waters using only using soft plastics. This included 7” Turtleback Worms in nuclear chicken colour and Munroe’s 3.75” paddle-tails in filthy pilchard colour.

We reached our grounds and dedicated time to staring at the sounder to ensure we were fishing where the fish are. This time it took a good 35 minutes but eventually, we found something worthy. Carefully anchoring close to our waypoint, we launched our soft plastics in the water and the action was frantic. Our first casts were annihilated by angry snapper. Me and a good mate landed six snapper in as many casts, with the snapper ranging between 3-6kg.

Catching big fish on soft plastics with light spinning gear is my favourite form of fishing – particularly when the target is snapper. Not forcing battles but letting snapper go on runs and just controlling them with light gear is the heart-pumping stuff that I live for. If you haven’t caught snapper on soft plastics I’d encourage you to give it a go, it’s such a different form of fishing that is so rewarding.

The bay will fish exceptionally well over the