THE mighty snapper (pagrus auratus) is one of the country’s most popular sportfishing targets – and for good reason. Snapper fight hard, look good and taste great on the plate! What’s not to like?
Throw in the fish’s penchant for eating both artificial lures – especially soft plastics – and fresh baits, and their accessibility to many fishos around Australia, it’s little wonder reds are so popular.
Here’s a rundown of six top locations to find snapper around Australia.
1 ARNO BAY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Arguably Australia’s top snapper location, Arno Bay can provide red hot fishing – usually around the opening of the season – although new restrictions have been put in place to reduce pressure on this valuable fishery. Image: Jamie Crawford
2 COFFS HARBOUR, NSW
This northern NSW port has earnt a reputation as a consistent big snapper producer. While marine park zones have restricted anglers’ activities somewhat, Coffs is still right up there as a top snapper destination.
3 MONTEBELLO ISLANDS, WA
The waters around the amazing Montebello Islands off the WA north-west coast is full of hungry snapper that readily eat baits and soft plastics! Image: Alex Naoumidis
4 SYDNEY, NSW
Australia’s largest city can provide surprisingly good snapper fishing at times of the year on offshore reefs, especially after a spell of rough weather. Image: Mick Fletoridis
5 PORT PHILLIP BAY, VICTORIA
Since a ban on scallop dredging a decade ago, Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay has developed into one of the country’s best snapper fishing destinations. Image: Shane Dyason
6 BATEMANS BAY, NSW
Not a particularly well known snapper fishing destination, Batemans Bay on the NSW south coast can deliver some excellent fishing in the right conditions on its closer inshore reefs. Make sure you check out restricted fishing areas on the Batemans Marine Park map before you fish! Image: Mick Fletoridis
There are plenty of other top snapper locations in Australia including: Whyalla, SA; Jervis Bay, NSW; Albany, WA; Lakes Entrance, Victoria and Queensland’s Moreton Bay – to name a few.
What’s your favourite snapper hotspot?
