10kg Snapper Looking For Advice Options

[frozenpod]

For close to 40 years now my Dad (about 15 years myself) we have been chasing the magical 10kg Victorian snapper.

Most years we catch plenty of snapper of which most are around 3kg size. We also catch quite a few up to 6kg and the odd one over 8kg.

But we have never caught a true 10kg snapper.

My dad is getting on and only comes out fishing occasionally these days often needing a rest day every second day if away on trips. Time is running out so to speak so I would like to try and work out what we are doing wrong or what we can do to increasing the chances.

My typical approach to catching snapper is to sound around until we find a school of fish and drop baits 50/50 anchor or on the drift.
During the peak times we would often bag out in under 30 minutes. As we often fish fairly deep the fish are unlikely to survive release so we don't continue to fish for snapper in the odd chance of getting the big one. Often we will move on to other areas for flatties whitting and sometime chassing the big snapper.

In an attempt to catch the larger specimines we have tried fishing away from schools in shallow water, deep water depending on the day. Using different baits of both type and size and live baits none of which seem to have helped.


Typical depth for snapper where there are school fish is 25m. Deepest sections nearby are approximatley 40m with shallow banks not that far away.

Typically use a paternosta rig with anywhere from 6 to 16oz of lead to hold bottom. Hooks are often 5-7/0.
We have also tried single hook running sinker rigs.
We typically use in this order of prefference IQF pilchards, fresh squid, live fresh and frozen whiting, raw chicken (sometimes soaked in tuna oil), food grade prawns and tuna for bait.


Would larger snapper be more likely to be deeper or shallower?

Would strong sun or night be likely to effect there location?

I would assume and passed experience seems to agree with this that on a bright day with cool water temps they would more likely be in the shallows and warm water temps bright day in deeper water.

Any suggestions for the most effective bait or anything else that might help?

[Spudly]

No expert at all on the subject, but from what ive seen,floaters in burley for the biggest snappers and being in the right spot...

Take a trip over to arno or whyalla for a weekend

[frozenpod]

Thanks, burly and floaters works well in PPB but where we fish the current is too strong except right on the turn of the tide which is a very narrow window.

[nimrod]

Hey mate I think we all would like to know a sure method of getting a 10kg plus specimen.
I have only done it once in my fishing lifetime, and that spans well over the 50 year mark now.
Was fishing just off Golan down Bermagui way when I thought I had hooked a double of really good
snapper of the 4 kg mark that we were catching at the time, had about 5 in the boat.
Anyway I called it for a double and got the shock of my life when this monster of a snapper came
gently to the top after giving me curry for 5-6 minutes, Only snapper I have ever weighed and it went
12.4 kilo on butchers scales, didn't measure it but it was a bit better than 1 metre in length with after thought.
That was about 20 years ago and never got anything close to that size before or since. Got plenty around the 6-7 kilo mark
but my usual catch are between 1-4 kilo and that's the size I like.

These days IF I ever got anything anywhere near that size I would release it, IF it would survive.

I reacon you should send " WINGA " a note and ask him his secrets.

This post has been edited by nimrod: Aug 24 2014, 03:50 PM

[frozenpod]

Thanks Frank.

There seems to be a few guys who can regularly catch the very large models.

I am pretty happy with what we do catch (the smaller models taste better) just looking for ways to increase the chances.

How I can get in contact with WINGA?

[nimrod]

This is the last email add I have for him.

winga@saltydogfilms.com.au

He may have changed it by now but still worth a try.

[frozenpod]

Email bounced thanks anyway.

[Jumpus GooDarus]

Have ewe tried ketching tu 5 kilo snappa's then super gluing them 2gether ?????????????????

[frozenpod]

Is that head to tail?

[Jumpus GooDarus]

I assume itwould be a double header

[Fed]

I used to know a top fisherman called Angelo who would go out of his way to help anyone, I wonder what happened to him?

I'd be happy to catch what you catch Frozenpod of course actually going fishing would help.

[frozenpod]

Don't get me wrong we are not disappointed with our results.

But catching the 10kg snapper has become somewhat an obsession, I would be happy if my Dad caught one and I don't mind if I don't.

[nimrod]

Damian. OK if it's just a 10kg + specimen you are after and not fussy where you or the old man catches it.
Spend some doe and treat the old man to a fishing trip of a life time and take him to South Australia.
NO don't worry about going to Whyalla Head straight to Arno Bay it's a bit south of Whyalla but still within the same waters.
Get in touch with Ashley from ArnoBay fishing charters here's his email arnobayfishing@bigpond.com
You can tell him Frank from Fishnet sent you but he probably won't remember me so name dropping may not help.
Here is a sample of what you are likely to bring aboard from his charter boat.



It will cost a few more dollars but the best chance of catching that fish of a lifetime.

PS Don't know why the address isn't highlighted so copy and paste into your outbox. arnobayfishing@bigpond.com

[frozenpod]

Thanks Frank I will keep it in mind.

As far as preparation goes, weekend spent on trailer and boat maintenance.

All went smoothly ready for fishing.

Just need to service the reels and make up some new rigs.

[frozenpod]

All primed and ready.

Due to weather this weekend and work the next I don't think I can get out for the next two weekends.

May have to fix in a mid week fish one night in PPB.

On a side note C31 will soon be no more as community TV is being shut down.

[Jumpus GooDarus]

Nearly dun with reno's
Time to bring big goat home for 1st time & start ketching me sum foosh's

[kkw]

Well, if you're going to become a "local" I will have to start waving as you pass me fishing off the rocks. Good to see you taking a break from the work.