Could Someone Give me Advice on Best Fishing Spots and Techniques for Snapper in Brisbane Area?

[tysonzachh]

Hello there,

I am relatively new to the Brisbane area and have recently taken up fishing as a hobby. I have always loved the idea of spending time out on the water and bringing home a good catch; and now I am finally getting into it. After doing some research; I have developed a keen interest in targeting snapper. From what I have read; they seem to be quite a popular and challenging species to catch; which makes the pursuit even more exciting for me.

Although; as a newbie; I am still figuring out the ropes and could really use some advice from the experienced anglers in this community.

Can anyone recommend some good spots around Brisbane where snapper are known to frequent? I have heard Moreton Bay is a good location, but I would appreciate more specific spots within the bay or any other areas that might be worth exploring.

What are the most effective techniques for catching snapper in these waters? Any particular bait or lures that work best? Also, what type of gear should I be using? I've got a basic setup right now, but I am willing to invest in better equipment if it will make a significant difference.

Are there specific times of the year; tide conditions; or weather patterns that are more favorable for snapper fishing? I am still trying to understand how these factors impact fishing success.

Also, I have gone through this post: https://www.australianfishing.com.au/forum/topic/53892-nice-brisbane-river-snapper-devops/ Lastly; are there any local regulations or conservation guidelines I should be aware of when fishing for snapper? I want to make sure I'm following all rules and doing my part to protect the fish population.

 

Thanks in advance for your help and assistance.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Try the lower reaches of the Brisbane River from about Kangaroo Point to Northshore Hamilton. Plenty of jetties and spots where snapper are a common catch in the winter months. Small livies work best but I’ve also had success on prawn and squid. Use at least a 4/0 circle hook and about a 6 ounce sinker with about a meter of trace.

[ellicat]

I moved this topic to the Saltwater Forum.

 

There is a snapper closure from the 15th of July to the 15th of August each year to allow for spawning. There are size and possession limits all year -

Possession Limit = 4 with only one 70cm or over.
Minimum size limit = 35cm

Snapper love cuttlefish or cuttlefish heads, in particular, for bait.

There are plenty of snapper in the Bay around all the islands. You're almost guaranteed some undersize ones, however the larger ones can be elusive (for me anyway). Fresh bait and soft plastics are the go. Anything from a 4 inch paddle-tail to a 9 inch grub, depending on where you're fishing.

For bait I use a 5/0 mostly, but for bigger baits I use an 8/0.

[mangajack]

Well I guess the first point would be when do snapper feed the most??  Almost always it is from about 30 minutes before sunrise to when the sun actually shines on the water. That is the biggest feeding frenzy of the day in all locations. Be prepared to be fishing at least 30 minutes before first light in the eastern sky to get this window right.

Next is seasons....winter has an inshore migration of lots of snapper in SEQ....the large majority of them are 30 to 45cm models and they are damn pesty at times. They will eat anything...lures, baits, soft lollies, they would eat a fruit bat if you cast it out. Being small models on average they are somewhere between uneducated and plain dumb with what they will try and eat. As Hamish suggested, a 4/0 circle hook and a bait will secure most of them.

The second season sees far fewer fish but the size is medium to huge in the bay....very very seldom in the rivers. This is from the start of October to about mid January depending on storm and rain activity. These fish are all very highly educated and not easy to trick into eating something that might hurt them. They travel around the grounds continually, seldom spending more than an hour anywhere. They don't usually school up, often it is 1 to 4 fish and even then they might be a fair bit apart from each other. Live baits rigged well, very quiet and very very patient to entice these fish. Every late spring sees several metre plus snapper caught in Moreton bay.....out numbered about 1000 to 1 fishers to big fish. Nobody will give you marks for these fish, you will have to find some ground for yourself, hopefully a fair distance from the nearest known spots in the bay.

Locations.....Brisbane river has a lot of places where winter snapper will be....just look for structure of sorts...wharves, piers, moorings, reefs, gravel beds, mud patches...anywhere they can grub about for something to eat.

The bay has thousands of patches of rock, reef, rubble, wrecks drop offs, channels and wonky holes to learn and fish. It all has fish on it most days at some stage, you just have to be there when they are there.

Tackle is the most subjective part of it all....some locations are deep with lots of run that will need a anchor to fish it, others have low currents like off Redcliffe where you can fish almost without lead most days. Same rule applies for both scenarios, only use enough lead to present your bait to the fish.

Lines can be anything from 4lb to 50lb but most snapper can be easily handled on 15lb line if you are patient....and avoid the sharks sometimes.

Good luck.

[ellicat]

Good write-up, Tony. Thanks for that.