Targeting Red Snapper
Submitted by Bodie on Wed, 2009-01-07 20:23
Just wondering if anyone could give me some tips on targetting red snapper??
If the weather holds up i am heading to rotto on sunday to get the cray pots then thinking of heading South west from there.
But not real sure on what depths to look in or what baits / Rigs to use. Not looking for anyone to give away spots, but just some handy hints would be great!! :)
These fish are on my '2009 fish to catch' list.
Thanks
Bodie
Big J
Posts: 129
Date Joined: 16/12/07
I normally use snelled hooks
I normally use snelled hooks consisting of a Tainawa on top and the bottom a Gamagatsu live bait circle with a fillet of mullet.
The decent schools of we fish normally start from 80m onwards, But you see a big flare up on your sounder if there's a few there.
I posted a pic a few weeks ago called "television at its best" (i think thats what i called it) anyway have a look at that because that is a school of Reds...
Hope this helps...Jarrad
Lucky Tim
Posts: 2536
Date Joined: 28/11/07
I used to fish for them a
I used to fish for them a fair bit and always used a paternoster rig tied with 80lb black magic trace. I'd tie the main part of the rig with 2 loop knots and loop individual traces onto these to allow for easy changes when chaffed/ deep hooks etc. 3 way swivels would do the exact same thing except I never fully trusted them under a good fish. I've never had the loop knot to trace fail on me. I'd use a single 6/0 to 8/0 depending on other fish in the area. When I'm fishing deep I mainly use squid but found that if I dropped a mulie down it would always result in a red snapper. They may come off easily but I reckon for reds mulies win hands down. As for ground we'd start looking in 50m plus, usually on the steeper sides of reefs/ pinnacles. This is usually the SW sides of them. Sounding around the reefs then dropping onto good fish pictures always seemed to work well.
Good luck and don't forget the photos.
Bodie
Posts: 3758
Date Joined: 05/11/07
Thanks guys.. Mulies, Squid
Thanks guys.. Mulies, Squid seem to be the consensis.
Definately going to give them a crack if the weather holds up this weekend. Will try the 80-110m lines with some sounding in the 60's on the way out.
Do dhu's and pinks and baldies congregate with the reds aswell? or are reds a type of schooling fish?
ps: has the bag limit changed from 4 to something less? Just doing some reading up on the fish.wa.gov.au site, but doesnt say too much about the bag limit changing with the new regulations starting jan 1st this year.
Cheers
carnarvonite
Posts: 8706
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Gill plates
If you are lucky enough to get onto some.beware of their gill plates as they are razor sharp.Many a finger or hand has been sliced open by those beauties.
When pulling them up take it slow and steady if you think its one as they have very soft mouths and its easy to pull tthe hook out