Need help catching legal snapper on the Sunny Coast!

[dazyz1]

Hey guys,

I'm asking for any tips for catching a few decent snapper. I usually fish a k or 2 east of Murphys as I've been given a mark or 2 out that way but I never have much luck when it comes to catching legal squire/snapper. The spots I usually visit we've caught Cobia, Jew, Cod, Pearlys but rarely any squire or snapper over about 30 - 33cms. I'm not sure whether I'm just using the wrong technique or if theres just no larger fish there. Our last trip we would have pulled in at least 25 squire between 30 and 34cm but not one legal fish. Do the larger fish school up with the smaller fish or are they usually found with other larger fish only? We've been floating pillys, bottom bashing and using plastics and Lucanis jigs and we only ever get the smaller fish. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Maybe I just need to go looking for some better spots?

[frankgrimes]

Cant help you Sunny Coast+legal snaps, but if your catching Cobia, Jew+Pearlies, I wouldnt be concerned with chasing snaps...chewin wise(imo) snaps dont come close to those three!

Mick

[Salty2]

I have been out twice in the last week and bagged out on good snapper(3-4kg) with around 40 fish caught in total.

Anchor up on any bit of solid reef in about 30m and berly up for about and hour before dusk with pilchard pieces. Put out a combination of floaters and soft plastics so that lines hang about 45 degrees and baits are about 10m from bottom. Come about 1 hour before sunset, down your last beer and brace yourself for a blitz of action for about 90mins. Peak of bite is usually just as sun sets. I only fish light eggbeaters with 2x 5/0 gang hooks with a pea sinker on 40 llb mono leaders. I usually fish the 12mile but caught the last lot at Murphies yesterday. My favourite bait is just the top 2/3 of a Pilchard as the blood streams out slowly to attract fish.
If you keep catching small squire try somewhere else next time, but don't move spots at sunset/dawn.
Best of luck.

[Salty2]

I have been out twice in the last week and bagged out on good snapper(3-4kg) with around 40 fish caught in total.

Anchor up on any bit of solid reef in about 30m and berly up for about and hour before dusk with pilchard pieces. Put out a combination of floaters and soft plastics so that lines hang about 45 degrees and baits are about 10m from bottom. Come about 1 hour before sunset, down your last beer and brace yourself for a blitz of action for about 90mins. Peak of bite is usually just as sun sets. I only fish light eggbeaters with 2x 5/0 gang hooks with a pea sinker on 40 llb mono leaders. I usually fish the 12mile but caught the last lot at Murphies yesterday. My favourite bait is just the top 2/3 of a Pilchard as the blood streams out slowly to attract fish.
If you keep catching small squire try somewhere else next time, but don't move spots at sunset/dawn.
Best of luck.

[Stu Dows]

I use the Same approach as salty 2 but you don't need to go too far I have not come home this winter with out a good feed of snaps this winter in all depths from 8m to 35m I am slowly moving deeper as it gets warmer