Spring signals the start of the snapper migration into the bays and oceans of Victoria and while the fish are there, they will likely be finicky. Jarrod day shares some proven tips and
techniques to help you convert more pickers into buckles and runs.

When spring begins, your neighbourhood takes on the transformation of a nursery –plum trees are blossoming, the wattles are bright yellow in bloom and the onset of north and north westerly winds are a clear sign that the warmer weather is arriving. It is these natural occurrences that provide some of the more visual signs that the snapper are about to infiltrate Victoria’s waterways at any moment.
Reports of snapper begin to flood in around early-September but not without the host of fabricated tales of the ‘crimson tide’ or that a diver, diving at the heads of Port Phillip Bay has seen thousands of snapper swim by. I am yet to believe such speculation as there is no photographic evidence to back up the ‘myth’. Regardless, it is always entertaining to hear the stories that come about.

While plenty of anglers begin their quest for snapper during the August/September period, many tend to put in a lot of time on the water for little result. It shouldn’t be put down to a lack of an angler’s ability though – it is a fact that early season snapper just aren’t into the swing of things yet. Water temperatures are still very low which keeps the reds in an almost dormant state but things begin to change by mid-September. The water temperature starts to rise and with it comes a change in the snapper’s mood. The increase in temperature brings the fish on the chew spasmodically up until October/November when all the elements align and it becomes a feeding frenzy.
Although springtime is a good time to be on the water, snapper fishing does have its downside and can be quite frustrating and difficult due to these spasmodic feeding patterns.
FEEDING TRAITS
When the water temperatures are low and the fish aren’t actively feeding, a few elements do encourage them to feed. Their feeding patterns might not necessarily change from hour to hour or day to day but when the right environmental elements come together, it all happens in a small window. This could be a tide change on first light or a spike in the barometer. Whatever the reason, the most important thing is to be at anchor with lines in the water when it all happens.
If you’re lucky enough to be on the water during this time, you may still encounter problems when the fish pick up the baits and run. Snapper exhibit a few traits when inactively feeding whereby they can grab your bait, load the rod up and then drop the bait before line is pulled off the reel. Similarly, the reel can scream while in the rod holder as the fish powers off before dropping the bait after feeling the pressure from the strike.
These feeding traits are completely normal and it takes a little bit of thinking outside the square to increase your hook up rate. In the scenario where the rod loads followed by the fish spitting the bait, often it is because the bait is too big to get in its mouth. Cutting the baits in half and continuing to rig with two hooks is a better option. It always pays to use the best and sharpest hooks available such as Black Magic C-Hooks or Shinto Octopus hooks. Both brands are proven and will penetrate as soon as the fish has them in its mouth. The more you can carefully look at a hook’s point; you’ll soon discover that their points can differ.
Hooks with a needle point are effective but do require a fair strike to penetrate. Cutting point hooks or those with sliced edges will slice into the flesh more easily with very little effort; these are the styles that should be chosen. Don’t strike too hard though; just give it a slight tug to ensure the hook penetrates past the barb.
In instances where the fish powers off and drops the bait, it is often because it feels the pressure from the rod loading or from the amount of drag set on the reel.
To overcome this, keep rods lying level with the water so line is taken off the reel before the rod is loaded, this prevents any unwanted pressure put on the line from the loading of the rod. Another effective technique is to use a baitrunner type reel. The baitrunner can be set light with just enough pressure to set the hook. Occasionally this can still be too much pressure where it will pay to use an open bail arm with elastic band on the rod’s foregrip.
A loop of line can be threaded into the elastic band so the line doesn’t freely escape from the reel’s spool when waiting for the bait to be taken. Once a fish grabs the bait, it can swim off with it. At this point, the line snaps out of the band and peels off the spool without any pressure at all. Anglers need to keep an eye on their reels because if they don’t, the fish will casually swim off with the bait and before you know it, it has nearly emptied the spool.
This method works best on calm days as rough weather can cause the line to snap out of the band with the constant rocking motion of the boat.
Baiting procedures are also a big factor in whether you’ll hook your fish or not. Personally, I like to keep my baits small and prefer offerings such as a half pilchard, half silver whiting or half garfish. I fish a two hook snelled rig with both hooks tucked just beneath the skin of the bait as this maximises the hook’s point exposure. My theory is that with so many fish around, a larger sized bait will be torn and shaken to break it up into smaller pieces that are easier to swallow. Amongst a school of fish, the bait won’t be swallowed in one go as it is too big to get in one mouthful. Half sized baits with hook points exposed, can be swallowed while on the go without the fish having to fight for it. As soon as it is swallowed, the hooks penetrate and subsequently your fish is hooked.

Using large baits can cause the fish to mouth or spit the bait. This is the result of a foiled hook up.

STRIKE OR RUN?
Once the trap is set and you’re waiting for the bite, it is imperative that your eyes don’t leave the rods for a minute.
The most common question asked is whether to strike the fish or to let it run. The answer to this all comes back to the fish’s feeding traits and on different days things can be very different. It all has to be judged on the day and when you find the technique that works, stick to it.
Springtime fishing won’t lead to multiple fish being caught but rather a good session might include 3 to 4 fish. It will be common to lose the first fish of the day but you will quickly understand the necessary techniques required to ensure a solid hook set on the next bite.

I like to begin the first rack of baits using the elastic band trick but should there be some decent wave action, I switch tactics and fish my reels in gear with a little drag. Once I notice the rod tips slightly dip or line coming off the reel, I strike once, lightly followed by a second strike with more force to drive the hook right in.
Catching springtime snapper is all about the one percenters, paying attention to detail and taking your time to ensure the trap is one hundred percent set. There will still be those days where you lose a number of fish but providing you can relax and take your time to ensure the right procedures are in place, you’ll begin to see the results of the hard work you’ve put in while trying to overcome any springtime snapper traits.
Jarrod Day works at Tackleworld Cranbourne and has been an accomplished fishing journalist for the past decade. Jarrod is married with two children and resides in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges. He has extensively fished throughout Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Northern Territory as well as many international destinations. Having built his writing career over many years, Jarrod is endorsed by Yo-Zuri, L.Wilson, Black Magic, Spotters and Richter Lures.