Snapper

Size and possession limits:

For up-to-date information on size and possession limits visit QLD Fisheries.

Targeting:

Mackay's snapper season is short (only the coldest weeks of the year), but the quality of fish is high. Fish up to 10kg are common around the inshore patches and islands. Jigging 12-18cm (5-7") plastics (curl tails, squid patterns or jerkshads) and octo jigs work well, especially on dawn or dusk, but the night bite is usually more consistent if you want to put in a big session. Snapper aren’t super fussy when it comes to bait – they’ll happily take store bought squid or pilchard baits – but switched-on anglers will make the most of the run of winter whiting by keeping the heads. Heads can be rigged with a suicide or circle hook on a dropper rig and can be combined with a bit of squid for extra appeal.  They also make great red emperor bait further offshore.