snapper - squirehookedinparadise.com.au/wp-content/uploads/snapper-squire.pdf · approx. hot fires...
TRANSCRIPT
These critters go through four
growth stages throughout
their life.
When spawned and up until a
size around 120mm, they are
known as Cockneys, from here,
until they achieve a weight
around half a kilo they go by
the name of Red Bream, then,
we know them as Squire until
they attain a weight of 1.5kg
approx.or develop a bump
on the head and thereafter as
Snapper. From all reports this
fish reaches a length around
1.2m with a weight of 19kg
approx. Hot fires of hell, I’d love
to meet up with one that size,
but in all honesty, around these
parts keep the expectations
around the 3 to 8kg mark. It’s
probably fair to say, that in our
area, some of the best catches
of snapper have occurred in
the late summer to early winter
period. Favourite conditions to
us, will have a rising tide, either
in the early to mid morning, or
the late afternoon to evening
period, with a south/east breeze
blowing up to 15 knots. Sky
conditions appear to worry
snapper very little. Clear, cloudy,
overcast or rain all seem suitable
to snapper.
This fish will take a wide
range of baits, but to keep
things simple we’ll give you a
few, which are easy to obtain
and readily available. Fresh
fish strips of mullet, tuna or
slimy mackerel, squid, cut
pilchards, large prawns, and
whole gar or W.A. pilchards,
which should be used on
gang hooks.
RODS, REELS AND RIGS
If you like the feel of a rod in
your hands, get yourself a
strong and sturdy offshore rod
and attach either an egg-beater,
overhead or sidecast reel to it.
Other suitable choices will
include a handline, or for the
lazy angler, a deck winch. The
problem with a deck winch
though, is that it takes the
thrill of the fight away from
the angler.
HOW TO CATCH SNAPPER
If using the paternoster or reef
rig, lower bait, sinker and rig
over the side until the sinker hits
bottom and the line goes slack.
Retrieve slack line until weight
of sinker is felt and then raise
and lower the rod tip causing
the bait to rise and fall. This
is often referred to as bottom
bouncing. If using the floater
rig, hold onto the bait and
lower the sinker over the side
allowing it to pull line off the
reel. While this is happening,
it pays to throw a bit of cut
pilchard over the side, thus
creating a berley trail. When
about 10 to 15m of line has been
played out throw the bait over
the side and it will sink slowly
with the berley. Get yourself set
and wait for the strike.
With snapper the first indication
of a bite can go from a timid
touch to a fierce bite followed
by a strong run and fight. At the
first indication of a bite, strike,
set the hooks and do your best
to stop the fish from getting
back down to the sanctuary of
the reef where you’ll most likely
get cut off. Have the drag set
reasonably firm at this stage. A
good rule of thumb is to set the
drag at about one third of the
lines breaking strain. After hook
up, stay relaxed and use a gentle
lift and wind motion when
retrieving the fish. Nearing the
surface there’s a good chance
the fish’s swim bladder will over
inflate and protrude through it’s
mouth. Any fish to be released
will not survive unless the swim
bladder has been deflated. This
can be done by simply pricking
the bladder with a hook and
allowing the air to escape, thus
enabling the fish to return to
the bottom.
When handling snapper take
a little care around the gill
area as they are capable of
inflicting cuts.
The variety of species you’ll
encounter when deep sea
fishing is endless. Some of the
by catches when using the
paternoster rig will include
parrot fish, sweep, jewfish,
venus tusk fish, gurnard,
flathead, rosy and green jobfish,
morwong and nannygai. With
the floater rig by catches will
include yellowfin tuna, wahoo,
dolphin fish or mahi-mahi,
cobia, small striped or black
marlin, yellowtail kings and
spanish mackerel.
“Makes for a fabulous feed and a ferocious fight”
SNAPPER - SQUIRE
PATERNOSTER/REEF RIG
Brass ring
30cm x 10 to 15kg mono50cm x 10 to
15kg mono
50cm x 10 to 15kg mono
30cm x 10 to 15kg mono
Brass ring
Sinker to 450g depending on
current strength
Mainline10 to 15kg
mono
3/0 to 6/0 Mustad hooks, depending on bait size
FLOATER RIG
Mainline 10 to 15kg
Medium to large free running ball sinker to suit conditions.
4/0 to 6/0 tarpon hooks, depending on bait size linked by 80lb black swivels
BAIT: Fresh Fish Strips, Squid, W.A. Pilchards.
If using whole fish as bait , push the hooks through from the underbelly and place the last one through the lips or jaws of the bait.
The line strength given in the rig diagram is suitable in water to say 25m deep. Add 5 to 10kg for depths 30 to 55m and add an extra 5 to 10kg when fishing waters of 60 to 85m. If using a hand line, increase the line strength 5 to 10kg on those recommended. This will give you a better grip on the line. Wear a pair of gloves to stop line cutting your hands. It’s also a good idea when hand line fishing to use a fish bin or large plastic container, such as a clothes basket, to place retrieved line in. I.e – let the line fall safely into the container, not onto the deck where it will end up getting tangled up by some thrashing fish or walked on.
SNAPPER - SQUIRE
MEDITERRANEAN SNAPPERIngredients 2 snapper fillets or 1 whole cleaned squire1 medium red tomato - finely diced12 black pitted olives - finely dicedPinch of dry crushed chilli to tasteMethod
4 shallots - finely diced½ tsp dried mintSalt & cracked pepper to taste
Plain flour¼ cup virgin olive oil1 tbsp virgin olive oil
Gently mix tomato, olives, chilli, shallots, mint, salt and pepper. Set aside. Lightly flour fish. Heat ¼ cup of olive oil in fry pan. Fry fish until cooked to taste. Transfer to plate. Keep warm. In clean fry pan heat 1 tbsp of olive oil. Add tomato, olives etc, mix to pan and stir fry until heated through, approx 1 minute. Evenly spoon mixture over fish. Serve with mashed potato or fresh salad.