Snapper
Australasian Snapper, Pink Snapper, Squire
Chrysophrys auratus
Overview
Snapper are one of South Australia's most iconic catches, found over reef and broken ground across the gulfs and offshore waters. A full species guide is in development — see the current SA rules via PIRSA, as snapper are subject to specific size, bag and seasonal arrangements.
Quick Info
Identification
Deep-bodied pink to red-silver fish with a steep forehead, large mouth and strong front teeth.
Pink-red colour with silvery flecks, steep head profile and prominent front teeth; juveniles (pinkies) carry pale spots.
Other pink-red reef fish; the steep head, large front teeth and spotted juvenile stage identify snapper.
Where to Find Them
Typical depth: 10–120 m
Fishing environments: Boat, Jetty, Shore
When to Fish
How to Catch Them
Drift or anchor over channels and deep reef edges and present fresh baits on paternoster or running sinker rigs; larger snapper respond to whole pilchards and squid strips in low light.
Fresh pilchard, squid strips and whole baits on 3/0-6/0 hooks; keep baits fresh and re-bait often.
Not usually required: snapper are taken on stationary baits; when casting soft plastics work a slow lift-and-fall hop near the bottom.
Fish fresh baits around dawn in 5-20 m of water in Port Phillip Bay and Western Port; a steady berley trail helps hold fish.
Using stale baits and too little weight in current; keeping undersized pinkies, as the minimum is 28 cm.
Best Baits
Rigs & Gear
A jighead with a soft plastic threaded on — the most versatile lure setup in fishing, worked slowly along the bottom for bream, flathead and snapper with a natural, bait-like action.
A strong, simple rig built around a live baitfish swimming naturally — the setup for kingfish, tuna, mulloway and big snook when only the real thing will do.
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.
A whole pilchard threaded onto a string of ganged hooks — the classic rig for presenting a natural, fish-shaped bait that hooks salmon, mulloway and sharks wherever they strike the bait along its length.
A heavy-duty paternoster built for the surf — a star or grapnel sinker holds the bottom in the wash while one or two baits sit up off the sand in the gutter. The standard rig for salmon, mulloway and gummy sharks off South Australian beaches.
A versatile and highly effective rig for King George Whiting and many other species.
Current SA Fishing Rules
CURRENT SA FISHING RULES
Do not target, take or possess this species in West Coast.
Do not target, take or possess this species in Gulf St Vincent & Kangaroo Island.
Do not target, take or possess this species in Spencer Gulf.
Always check current regulations before fishing. Fishing rules and closures can change.
Where to Catch Them in SA
Best here: Spring - Autumn
Best here: Spring - Autumn
Coffin Bay is one of South Australia's premier fishing destinations — a sheltered bay system surrounded by national park, famous for King George Whiting, snapper and flathead, and equally loved by families for its calm water and easy access.
Ardrossan fishes the eastern shore of Gulf St Vincent - whiting, squid and tommy ruff from the town jetty, with the deep channel and boat grounds producing bigger fish.
Wallaroo combines easy jetty fishing for King George Whiting, squid and tommy ruff with productive boat grounds across the gulf for whiting, snook and mulloway.
Ceduna is the service hub for the Far West - the town jetty and Murat Bay foreshore produce King George Whiting, garfish and mullet, with mulloway in the channels and blue swimmer crabs in summer.
Streaky Bay is a classic family fishing destination - the jetty and sheltered bay produce King George Whiting, garfish and tommy ruff, while boat fishers work nearby reef and the productive grounds further out.
Whyalla fishes the northern Spencer Gulf for King George Whiting, squid and tommy ruff, with the False Bay squid grounds nearby and snapper country further out (currently closed to snapper fishing).
Arno Bay offers reliable jetty fishing for King George Whiting, squid and tommy ruff, with good snapper and whiting boat grounds in the bay.
Tumby Bay fishes well for King George Whiting, squid and tommy ruff from its long sheltered jetty and foreshore, with productive whiting grounds out in the bay for boat fishers.
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