Paternoster for Snapper?

[BaitThrower]

Are paternoster rigs suitable for snapper fishing? How far off the bottom should I be looking at having the bait for best success? Also tips on hook size and line strength appreciated. Was thinking 15lb-20lb for the leader.

[nigelr]

Bait thrower, just a ball sinker running free to the hook is a far simpler and more effective solution, IMO. Even better with a circle hook, size 8/0 mustad Demons are my favourite, with the bait drifted back into a burley trail. Only use enough lead to get to the bottom, dependent on current or drift.
7-15kg main line depending on fish size and bottom conditions, with a leader to suit the environment you are fishing in. I fish inshore ocean waters over a reefy, kelpy bottom and find anything less than a 80lb leader, of 1.2 -1.6 mtres long, is often found wanting when a 6kg+ snapper takes off for its' cave or kelp bed.
Cheers.

[finga]

They'll do me I reckon.
All the other factors vary a bit but my rig usually have the bottom bait about a foot from the bottom and the top about another foot up.
But it varies a lot.
I only use 4/0's or maybe 5/0's
As mentioned...use only enough weight to get to the bottom.
If I have to use over #4 snapper sinker I'm off. Too much current for me

[billfisher]

Yes the patternoster is ideal for snapper fishing in deep water. Floater rigs aren't much use in deep water and/ or when drifting. I wouldn't go lighter than 20lb.

[Pete62]

Are paternoster rigs suitable for snapper fishing? How far off the bottom should I be looking at having the bait for best success? Also tips on hook size and line strength appreciated. Was thinking 15lb-20lb for the leader.

So is the paternoster rig u r looking at using use 3 way swivels or dropper knots?

My 2 bobs worth, swivel main 2 leader and dropper knots, loop knot to sinker for ease of changing.

Or change ya name to SPthrower and don't use em at all

Pete.

[BaitThrower]

So is the paternoster rig u r looking at using use 3 way swivels or dropper knots?

My 2 bobs worth, swivel main 2 leader and dropper knots, loop knot to sinker for ease of changing.

Or change ya name to SPthrower and don't use em at all

Pete.

Yep have dropper loops for the hooks and loop knot for the sinker
Have to get me some larger hooks!

[Pete62]

Some guys use bait on one dropper and a SP on the other........best of both worlds.

Pete.

[finding_time]

. Floater rigs aren't much use in deep water and/ or when drifting.

What would you call deep Billfisher??? The reason i ask is i use a floater rig in 140m and we drift the spot!!! And we use a livies! And suprisingly we actually catch a few fish! Now if you call 450m deep i'll agree with you above statements, Paternoster all the way ,15/0 hooks and about 10kg of sinker!!!

It all depends on where your fish are holding if there tucked right down on the bottom when you sound the spot then use a paternoster by all means!! But if there holding up off the bottom float one down you might have to allow an extra 50m in your drift run but the results will be there!!! Pearlies = paternoster although my biggest fell to a floated livie in 120m!

ian

[billfisher]

What would you call deep Billfisher??? The reason i ask is i use a floater rig in 140m and we drift the spot!!! And we use a livies! And suprisingly we actually catch a few fish! Now if you call 450m deep i'll agree with you above statements, Paternoster all the way ,15/0 hooks and about 10kg of sinker!!!

It all depends on where your fish are holding if there tucked right down on the bottom when you sound the spot then use a paternoster by all means!! But if there holding up off the bottom float one down you might have to allow an extra 50m in your drift run but the results will be there!!! Pearlies = paternoster although my biggest fell to a floated livie in 120m!

ian

Depends on the current and/ or speed of drift, as well as local conditions. I mainly fish in 70-80m of water and find floaters are of limited use. Yes I have tried them, but only catch fish on them if the current is ideal. Ie when anchored often the current is too strong and the burley would reach bottom around Wollongong way and I'm fishing off Sydney! Likewise the bait won't get near the bottom. Sometimes there no current at all and therefore not much adavantage with floaters. All you burley will just go straight under the boat and you may justs as well get you bait down quickly with a patternoster. Also you have 2 baits which helps beat the pickers. Sometimes I catch 2 snapper at once on the patternoster. Also a lot of the other desirable fish down my way respond best to the patternoster, eg mowong, pinkies nannagai, pearl perch etc. NB you can berley under the boat using a burley bomb.

That said you can always fish you patternoster and have a floater out at the same time. You can even put a lure out. Those lucanas jigs from Shimano will can fish on the drift.