Snapper (Pagrus auratus )

General Info

Snapper would have to be one of the most sort after species South Oz has to offer.A very good fighting fish the snapper is mostly known for its nice white flesh, fetching good prices in fish markets across the country.

Not really being a keeper of fish, for me the good ol' red represents a great sport fish on light line. One of the best fights I’ve witnessed was when a mate landed a 9kg fish on 2kg mono!, a fine effort in anyone’s language. Fish was photographed and the released to make another anglers day!.

One of the first thing you'll notice when you land a snapper is the beautiful red and blue colours the fish produces when straight out of the water...A very striking fish!.

Tactics

Snapper aren't really a fussy eater...most commonly used baits are tommies, pilchards, squid and gar. Other great baits are slimy macks and sauries. Rigs either consist of a large pasternoster style rig or a running rig. Try and use as little weight as possible if currents and depths permit, un-weighted baits if you can get away with it.

One of the most difficult things with snapper fishing is actually finding where they are. Offshore reefs, dropoffs and structures are places you most likely to encounter a big red. After a big blow its not uncommon to find snapper foraging close to shore.

In Adelaide the most productive months are generally September through to April but structures will hold them all year round. Tagging data suggest that snapper in our gulfs don’t move great distances with fish not traveling more than 15kms from where they've been tagged. Generally their most active when the crabs are out and about during the summer months as crabs make up a great part of their diet.

Lures can be effective also with the soft plastic fish patterns being very popular. A 80-100mm squidgy fish slowly bounced along the bottom might get a red's attention.