The snapper is one of the most
highly prized species of saltwater fish in southern Australia.
Snapper are a handsome fish. Adults are usually reddish brown on
the head and upper body, with bright blue spots on the upper
sides. The lower part of the body and belly is pale pink to
silver. In later life some large snapper develop a hump on their
forehead and/or the snout which becomes fleshly and protrudes.
Juvenile snapper appear to remain in nursery grounds around
shallow reefs for the first few years of their life, but after
they are increasingly likely to move seasonally into deeper
waters and/or along the coast.
Snapper is the prime target species for local Bay anglers To
help maintain the quality of snapper angling and to promote fair
sharing of
available snapper stocks between different user groups, a daily
bad limit of five snapper of 40cm or more and 10 snapper below
40cm, per person, has been introduced for all Victorian waters.
There is also a minimum legal size of 27cm.
There are catch limits and size limits
on most fish caught in Victorian waters. Please
check the regulations before setting out.
Snapper are predators - that is they will feed on any of a wide
variety of food items found on or near the sea floor. They will
readily eat small crabs, other small crustaceans, and polychaete
worms. Snapper feed at any time of the day or night and at any
stage of the tide. However, best fishing results are at dawn and
dust.
Snapper are great eating, they are best baked or grilled. One
tasty idea is wrapped in foil with herbs and citrus juice and
thrown on hot coal makes a beautiful meal of this fish
LOCAL FISHING
