Sliding Snell / Snapper Rig
The dedicated snapper rig — two snelled hooks on a long sliding leader with the sinker running free on the main line, so a suspicious red can mouth the bait and run without feeling any resistance.
Best For
You'll Need
Step-by-Step Instructions
Thread the running sinker (and optional berley cage) onto your main line.
Tie the swivel below it to stop the sinker — the sinker must slide freely between swivel and rod tip.
Tie a 1–2 m length of 20–40 lb leader to the swivel.
Snell two hooks in line on the leader, spaced so one hooks near the head of the bait and one sits near the tail.
Bait with a whole pilchard, garfish or fresh fillet so the bait hangs straight, and lower it to the bottom.
Drop to the bottom, lift the bait just off the sand and keep a soft bow in the line. A snapper will mouth the bait and run — with the sinker sliding free there is no resistance, so feed line, let the fish turn, then strike smoothly. Re-bait and repeat through the berley trail.
Targeting snapper and other wary bottom fish over reef, rubble and sand from a boat or jetty, especially when fish are finicky — the free-running sinker and long snelled bait presentation is the classic red-winning setup.
Single snelled hook with a smaller bait for shy fish; heavier 40–50 lb leader over rough ground; shorten the leader to 60–80 cm in strong current; add the berley cage for fish that need drawing in.
Leader too short (defeats the whole rig), sinker jammed against the swivel so it cannot slide, and striking too early on the first run — snapper need a moment with the bait.
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