Me and a mate were drifting offshore Stradie when we got to thinking of when is snapper season off the South East coast. We always hear, here comes winter, going to be a good snapper season! Then when summer approaches we hear, here comes summer, going to be a good snapper season!
Is it always snapper season?
I've read that big snapper like to feed in 14 - 16 C water temp, yet last weekend mates got 2 80 cm snappers off Point Lookout.
Excited, but confused.
--julian
seems to be year round in the bay. Ive even had them on the bite when the water has been in the 20s.
I think there are Snapper around all year round in this region but there are definitely increases in numbers from July through to October. That has been my observation over the last 30 years fishing out there. I have had good catches in May too but mainly August for consistancy.
There seems to be resident fish that stay in an area all year and other migratory snapper that seem to follow water temp.
I have no proof of course, just my impression of the situation.
Best snapper bite I have had was last Jan off the Cape 12 fish smallest 65 largest 82 "All within bag limit for 3 on board" blowing a 15knt northerly ?
Put my young fella on a 80cm stonker last weekend at 1770 30m water 28.6 deg c with a northerly so I'm not sure mate when snapper season is ?
Cheers
Dick
I think they are always around. How many conversations at home go something like this.... Why do you use tripple the amount of fuel during the summer months? "Oh its because the blacks and hoo are on the chew" Why can't you anchor up and catch a few snapper instead of using so much fuel? The next answer pretty much explains it and we say because Snapper are a winter species which is a very unquantified statement to make in my opinion, so they can change their game plan and do something different? Who wants to catch Snapper all year round anyway? Lately I don't get out often enough to tire of them, but it will happen!
Scalem
Ummmmm....none?Originally Posted by Scalem
If you want to experience a real snapper season then come down here for the m&g in October..
I think they run all year but more get caught in winter because the current isn't running as hard offshore and you can get a line to the bottom, hence more people troll in summer due to the current.
Snapper form up spawning aggregations on rocky reef areas between June and October each year. They are easier to target at this stage. The Snapper disperse after this period but they are still here. The current does not help things during Summer either
A Proud Member of
"The Rebel Alliance"
I have found that the first of the chilly morning is when the large numbers of smaller fish (lass than 60cm) are around at the inshore reefs and October - November the bigger fish are on those same grounds in much lesser numbers. You can catch snapper every day of the year though, but they do definitely have their peak periods. I gave up offshore fishing for snapper 25 yrs ago and have since nearly matched those captures on inshore grounds by fishing dramatically differently to the offshore ways. It is also much more enjoyable inshore and you are home with coffee and a hot brekkie by about 8.30am.
Jack.
Wish I could find them inshore lol
tunaticer, had the boat on the trailer plenty of times fishing offshore by 8 in the morning with the boats bag,quickest bag last year was 25 minutes offshore on the 33's off moreton ,16 snapps landed on 18 pillies, good times...still plenty out there now but the size isnt real flash..this time of year we still get a good feed but most around the 38-50cm range with a couple around 70cm,winter we get a good eating size with most between the 50-80cm mark
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