Brad_H
03-01-2006, 06:09 PM
Hi Guys & Gals,
I have been following a few threads about Snapper in Moreton Bay and Mud Island in particular.
I fish the area on a fairly regular basis for both Snapper and Bream, and have had the pleaseure of fishing alongside Troy as we snaffled a few Pinkies from the reef off Mud. Troy certainly has the runs on the board and it was an education to watch him fish.
I however have never had much success with the same techniques that Troy and others employ, and tend to fish tight to the bottom, rather than mid water as is the trend most trips. In 2 trips this summer I have caught good snappper both times and the last trip saw a PB of 61cm/3kg (6.4lb) come into the boat. It was also the only snapper bite we had in 4 hours of less than perfect seas!
In analysing the trips we came to the following conclusions:-
1. Best results came when you are able to drift across the reef, rather than along it. (This was the case last trip, when tide was going out against a NNE wind.)
2. Hot & humid days require a different approach, especially if fishing near midday, Our best results have come from fishing tight to the bottom(I mean dragging the jighead over the lumps and bumps)
3. When the fish activity on the sounder is low, downsize your soft plastic to a smaller profile or a skinny worm type tail(The 61cm came on a Green Pumpkin 3" Slider Grub)
4. When fishing early morning or late afternoon, the mid water presentations produce more fish. Fish a 4-5" jerk bait tail on 1/16-1/8oz heads and fish ahead of the boat allowing a see saw type retrieve.
5. Persistance is an absolute must. Especiallly if the bites are scarce, Keep plugging away as the bigger fish seem to come when the fish activity is slow.
I hope this gives some hope to the guys who are keen to get amoungst the Snapper in the bay. Remember to catch a feed, not a limit as the fish in the bay need some helpto survive.
Cheers Brad
I have been following a few threads about Snapper in Moreton Bay and Mud Island in particular.
I fish the area on a fairly regular basis for both Snapper and Bream, and have had the pleaseure of fishing alongside Troy as we snaffled a few Pinkies from the reef off Mud. Troy certainly has the runs on the board and it was an education to watch him fish.
I however have never had much success with the same techniques that Troy and others employ, and tend to fish tight to the bottom, rather than mid water as is the trend most trips. In 2 trips this summer I have caught good snappper both times and the last trip saw a PB of 61cm/3kg (6.4lb) come into the boat. It was also the only snapper bite we had in 4 hours of less than perfect seas!
In analysing the trips we came to the following conclusions:-
1. Best results came when you are able to drift across the reef, rather than along it. (This was the case last trip, when tide was going out against a NNE wind.)
2. Hot & humid days require a different approach, especially if fishing near midday, Our best results have come from fishing tight to the bottom(I mean dragging the jighead over the lumps and bumps)
3. When the fish activity on the sounder is low, downsize your soft plastic to a smaller profile or a skinny worm type tail(The 61cm came on a Green Pumpkin 3" Slider Grub)
4. When fishing early morning or late afternoon, the mid water presentations produce more fish. Fish a 4-5" jerk bait tail on 1/16-1/8oz heads and fish ahead of the boat allowing a see saw type retrieve.
5. Persistance is an absolute must. Especiallly if the bites are scarce, Keep plugging away as the bigger fish seem to come when the fish activity is slow.
I hope this gives some hope to the guys who are keen to get amoungst the Snapper in the bay. Remember to catch a feed, not a limit as the fish in the bay need some helpto survive.
Cheers Brad