Guide To Fishing Snapper In Queensland

Snapper are a popular target for recreational fishers, who catch them using a variety of techniques. You can enjoy snapper both as a sport fish and as a delicious meal. This guide will provide tips on catching and filleting snapper in Queensland.

Snapper Size Limit In Queensland

Snapper is a popular fish to catch in Queensland, and the Queensland snapper size limit is unlike those of other Australian states. As far as snapper rules go in Queensland, you're only allowed one per person per day, and only one of that can be over 70cm — the rest have to be under 40cm.

Snapper Season In Queensland 

The snapper season in Queensland is November to March, with the best period being from December through February. Snapper can be caught all year round, however, and are available from the east coast of Australia to the west coast. The legal size limit for snapper is 35 centimetres. Snapper are found on soft coral and hard bottom habitats in depths ranging from the surface down to 200 metres. They are often caught when anglers target other fish species such as sweetlip, but they’re also known to school in certain areas at times of the year, making them easier to find during these periods. Snapper can be found around most headlands or reefy drop offs close inshore along the open coasts of Queensland as well as offshore around islands and other high points that protrude from the sea floor.

Best Bait For Snapper 

The best bait for snapper includes:

• pilchards
  
• squid
  
• cuttlefish
• whitebait
  
• prawns (dead or alive)
  
• live bait (including crabs and worms).
  

How To Catch Snapper

You can catch snapper all year round in Queensland, but the best time is between December and April. The further north you fish, the longer the season lasts (thanks to warmer water temperatures). In southern Queensland, snapper season starts a little later.
 
The snapper will be most active in the warmer months when there's plenty of food around. During winter, they're less likely to bite – although some big fish are sometimes caught when the water cools down. There are no strict rules about where and when to find fish. As long as you're fishing in deep water on top of a good reef structure, chances are you'll find them if they're there.
 
Snapper have great eyesight and a powerful sense of smell. Use fresh baits like pilchards or squid and make sure your hooks are sharp! Most anglers use a running sinker rig (also called a snapper rig), but you can experiment with different setups to see what works best for you on the day.

How To Fillet Snapper 

When filleting your snapper, be sure to use a sharp knife. Using a dull one will only lead to accidents and frustration. Once you've secured the fish down with your fingers, use the tip of the knife to cut through the skin at the tail. You'll want to make a slice about four inches (10 cm) long. Then, try to make one swift motion along the length of the fish when cutting each fillet away from its frame. This can be a little intimidating at first, but if you're having trouble, remember that your goal is simply to follow along where you've already made that initial slice on either side of the fish's backbone. If you're struggling to separate some parts of meat from the bone, try lying your knife flat on top of it and gently pushing down until it gives way.
 
Once you reach the collarbone area (where it gets thicker), you can stop cutting and remove that fillet from its frame before proceeding on this same path with your second side. Then turn over the carcass and remove any other parts of meat left there by using your fingers or tweezers (if necessary).
 
If you're looking to catch snapper in Queensland's waters, it's best to charter with a professional crew. Contact the professionals at Deep Sea Fishing Co. Sunshine Coast today.