We still produces catches that are the envy of a lot of other places, but it is true to say "SNAPPER"are not what they used to be and the reasons why are many. I believe that the failure of the Dept of Fisheries to introduce a closed season until recently, to allow for spawning, is a significant one. In my understanding, the peak spawning period is, NOV to FEB. Although some fish " in roe" can be found at any time of the year, fish in breeding condition, ie full of eggs, are still being caught every year, year in year out, when the snapper "RUN"
The introduction of the present closures may allow for an increase in the frequency of catches and possibly the bag limit, even though it appears the dept of fisheries has placed the bans in the wrong months. The large schools of snapper occur in the summer months possibly because that's when most of them school to breed. As the peak of the spawning coincides with the peak incidence of captures, 20 years ago catches at CAPE JERVIS were as high as 160 large snapper in one boat on one tide, and what do you know, 20 years is the life span of these fish, we now catch very few by comparison . Suprise suprise!!!!!
Now read on for more startling revelations.
Most fishing takes place in water 40 - 50 metres deep and when it is coupled to the large tides that occur here it requires heavy sinkers and special techniques to deploy your fishing gear. If you have not experienced a reasonable tide in 50 metres its difficult to appreciate the extent of drag presented by fishing line to the water. Snapper time [Christmas] is when seasonal south easterly winds funnel into Backstairs Passage, combined with a large ebb tide the opposing forces can create near impossible conditions for fishing, therefore every day is not a snapper day. The weather has to be fairly right to gain access and although we do get our share of flat calm days be prepared for rocking and swaying on most.
Helpful Hints
(1) It is preferable when anchored to use light lines, creating
less drag in the current. However from the swivel to the sinker
tie snapper bottoms with 60-80lb line.
(2) For inexperienced fishers 20-30lb main line on a large
eggbeater reel is a practical start. Rods should be short, can
have whippy ends, with fast tapers but need plenty of power near
the butt for lifting heavy sinkers.
(3) Sinkers range up to 2lb and are usually attached with
a large loop. This allows for frequent changes drifting a session
on the tide. Starting large during the run moving to small when
slack back to large as it flows again.
(4) Other than at slack water, despite its looks, the
line is NOT going straight to the seabed. The current holds the
line in a big belly from rod to sinker. It is IMPERATIVE to use
slight friction on the reel/line as the sinker is set to depth,
i.e. feather it down. The instant the weight reaches the bottom
you feel it make contact and stop the line. This technique ensures
the minimum amount of line for the maximum feel of bites or hook
ups. It is also the best way to avoid snagging the bottom and
losing your gear.