How
To Catch Snapper
Snapper Fishing Made Easy
By Wayne Smith
| If you are looking for information on how to catch snapper, you are so lucky to be searching right here, right now!
For decades I also searched. Plenty of information existed on species distribution, snapper habitat, snapper bait, snapper rigs and other information but none of which was meaningful on where, or especially how, I should fish to get results. I have since determined that the majority of meaningful information had never been worked out to enable it's publication. Whereas I previously considered snapper fishing to be the preserve of large boats well off shore on wrecks and reefs, I found that need not be the case at all. Misinformation abounds about snapper fishing which discourages anglers. It paints a picture of being all too daunting a task to be successful. By way of example I quote a government PIRSA (Primary Industry and Resources South Aust.) internet article on snapper fishing by ‘One of the State’s most accomplished young anglers.’ (ref: www.pir.sa.gov.au) ‘(Name) is a firm believer that you are only as good as the people who teach you how to fish.’ Unfortunately this belief presupposes there is nothing new to be learned – that those who taught us have known it all. They certainly haven't! What it does highlight is why there has been so little progress on how to catch snapper for many years. It has perpetuated the incorrect assumptions made by anglers of past generations. It has resulted in discouraging impressions such as, ‘If the snapper are in a particular spot, they may only bite for one hour in twenty four, and then perhaps only on a particular bait, and at a particular stage of the tide.’
What chance does any snapper angler, novice or otherwise, think they have of getting it all right if they accepted that such narrow criteria really exists? The article was written with all good intent, and genuine belief of accuracy. However, and fortunately, it is incorrect on all counts. It is a legacy of the way most anglers, both past and present, tend to arrive at all sorts of convenient conclusions rather than looking at their own snapper fishing techniques when they don't understand why they struggle to get results. The snapper is just a simple fish. It knows not from where it’s next meal is coming. It simply cannot afford to fast for twenty three hours a day or be fussy about it’s diet. Neither can it afford to ignore a potential meal and return, possibly hours later, when the stage of the tide is supposedly ‘Right’, to see if it is still there. Sorry, but there is no way known that is possible. The fact is there are numerous factors impacting our ability to catch snapper. Historically we have failed, until now, to even identify them. Desired snapper fishing results have accordingly not been easily forthcoming. Excuses have been formulated, published and generally accepted without challenge. They have then been recycled and taught to others. It is time the cycle is broken.
Allow me to provide an idea of the type of mistake many anglers make: We all know snapper feed at night so many of us realize that is the best time to fish for them. Also known is snapper’s irrefutable association with structure, so naturally that is where we go, right? ... Wrong! I am going to draw a parallel with another nocturnal feeder, the owl. It is out hunting at night and roosts in a loft, for example, during the day. If we needed to catch an owl, are we going to search the wide open spaces for it, or go to the loft? Obviously we would go to the loft. But is there any point going to the loft at night? Of course not; it's out hunting somewhere. The same situation applies to the snapper. They roost around some structure during the day to avoid the press of the tide and avoid predation from sharks. If you know where the loft is, you can catch them during the day. However, before dusk they leave their ‘Loft’ and head off for a night’s browsing where they consider they have their best chance of picking up a meal. And while they are away, how many anglers are sitting ruefully at the loft assuming they are not biting? ... Right place, wrong time! Alternatively, ‘Right time, wrong place.’ Yes, a few snapper can still be caught at the loft at night. Snapper can be passing from one feeding area to another. Some 'Lofts' (Private, artificial ones particularly) can exist not far offshore, close to feeding grounds. If other factors are favourable, anglers may also get snapper if they are still there at first light when the fish are starting to arrive back at the ‘Loft.’
Those anglers who have learned how to catch snapper have predominantly been able to reach offshore wrecks and reefs in larger boats or created their own hidden ’Lofts’ using car bodies, old farm machinery or whatever other structure they could transport. Those anglers have done quite well. They guard their little artificial reefs ferociously. Being ‘Lofts,’ they are mainly daylight locations. Well done and good luck to them. However, we don’t need to encroach on other anglers’ private artificial reefs. I found better results can be achieved by fishing at night, and sitting inshore where they will be feeding in numbers. Depending on location, most of what they feed upon; crabs, scallop beds, dead razor fish inhabitants, small squid and fish, etc., are inshore. We don’t have to go way offshore because under the cover of darkness they come inshore to us. We do have to know how to ensure they find us.
One common thread I found in most snapper fishing articles is how most snapper are caught around the change of tides. The observation is correct but the conclusion is incorrect, as is the subsequent action accordingly. The conclusion is that the snapper feed predominantly at that time and the subsequent action then is to focus your efforts around the tide changes. The conclusion is wrong for two reasons: 1) Anglers have assumed the fish are feeding predominantly at those times because most snapper are hooked at those times. Wrong! Most fish are hooked then because few have ever worked out how to effectively counter the effects of the tides when they start really flowing.2) By focusing their efforts around the tide changes, they have to catch most of their snapper at that time. That subsequent action of concentrating efforts around tide changes is wrong because anglers are denying themselves the majority of productive fishing time and the opportunity to learn both how to counter the effects of the tides, and how to use them to advantage. Do so, and they can be caught right through the tides.
Another common thread is the necessity for using berley to catch snapper. Again, the concept is correct. However, without proper tidal provision, berley is usually responsible for most snapper NOT being caught rather than the reverse, as intended.
Since 2002 I have analyzed the whole routine of catching snapper. Those factors adversely affecting results have been identified. Solutions have been formulated, tested, improved upon, fine tuned and settled. The result has been great catches consistently. The pictures thus far have all been my catches, each made with a buddy, which show just what can be achieved. They were all made from my little 4.6m (15’) boat on flat sand within 3km of shore. Being night time, structure and location were not important. Neither was bait, tide stage, moon phase, wind direction or detailed records. What is important is putting yourself in control of the situation to ensure your result by identifying, and countering, all those variables which would otherwise restrict , or deny your catch.
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Here is a listing of less obvious factors which adversely impact your catch: * Fishing in the wrong place at the right time or the right place at the wrong time* Not having a strategy when it is too rough to launch * Un-necessary fishing time restriction by concentrating efforts around tide changes * Not knowing how to avoid losing precious fishing time on sting rays & dog sharks * Not knowing how to avoid the unknowing loss of baits to sea lice * Not knowing how to ensure the browsing snapper find us - inshore * Not knowing how berley pots can spook the snapper, or how to avoid it * Not knowing that your berley takes the snapper away from your baits when the tide starts gaining momentum, or how to avoid it * Not understanding the effects of tides or knowing how to counter them * Not knowing how to utilize the tides to advantage * Not knowing how to maximize your hook up rate * Not knowing how to maximize your landing rate * Not having a strategy when undersized snapper are stealing all your baits * Not having a strategy to avoid the influence of any shark which turns up * Not knowing how to maximize your bag and boat limits within the legal restrictions * Lack of commercial availability of essential equipment Little wonder anglers have struggled for so long to achieve meaningful results!
Advanced Snapper Fishing Course Topics covered :
While this website does not provide the answers, you at least are now aware of the real issues and know that solutions do exist. You also know where you can get the answers if you can’t work them out yourself. You can avoid the frustration of prior generations who endured the expense of operating their boats for years, chasing a seemingly elusive quarry, without ever discovering the real issues, let alone the answers. Some students have found they can exceed their course costs in value of snapper caught on their first subsequent trip out. The common feedback thus far is the disbelief of just how easy snapper fishing can be, after all. Student Testimonials:
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All photos added beyond this point will be more catches made by students:
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Understanding of, and solutions to, all the adverse
factors listed above
