In this post we will go over 5 tips that we use and Casey demonstrate the fundamental tips to help increase your snapper fishing chances for the snapper season.
I hope these five tips help you when fishing for Snapper. Having the right gear and techniques can make a huge difference and make that day out on the water with family and friends more enjoyable.
1. Rod Holder / Snapper rack
We like to make sure the Eva part of the rod is the only part of the rod that comes into contact with the snapper rack. You definitely don’t want it to be sitting all the way in on the rod so it’ll rattle around and can damage your reel. There’s also a chance it can damage the rod and reel as there’s less forgiveness. Also when the rod is sitting on ly on the Eva this locks in heaps better a lot less vibration and there’s a lot less chance of losing that rod.
Single or one way snapper rack below
Three way snapper rack below
We recommend ensuring that only the EVA section of the rod makes contact with the snapper rack. You definitely don’t want the rod to be pushed too far in, as this can cause it to rattle around and potentially damage your reel. There’s also a risk of damaging both the rod and reel due to the reduced flexibility. When the rod sits only on the EVA, it locks in much better, reducing vibrations and significantly lowering the chance of losing the rod.
2. The Spread
When snapper fishing, we like to maximize our chances by using the full number of rods allowed. In Victoria, you’re permitted to use four rods per person when fishing from a boat. Always check with your local fishing authorities or visit the relevant fisheries websites for up-to-date regulations.
Queensland:
www.qld.gov.au/recreation/activities/boating-fishing/rec-fishing/rules/equipment
New South Wales:
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing
Western Australia:
www.fish.wa.gov.au/Documents/recreational_fishing/rec_fishing_guide/recreational_fishing_guide.pdf
In Victoria, you’re allowed four rods per person when fishing from a boat, but keep in mind that this only applies to boat-based fishing, not land-based. If you’re comfortable with it, it’s always a good idea to use all four rods.
To increase your chances of catching fish, it’s crucial to manage your baits effectively and work your rods continuously. By the time you’ve put out your fourth rod, you should be checking the first one you set. If the bait looks fresh and intact, put it back out; if it’s not, swap it for fresh bait. Keep this routine going with the other rods to ensure all baits stay in good condition and maximize your spread.
3. Braid or Mono
A common question we often get is, “Should I use braided fishing line or nylon mono fishing line?” The answer really depends on several factors:
Braided line is ideal for high-current areas and deeper water. It’s thinner in diameter, yet strong, and provides direct contact with your bait. It also cuts through the water with less drag, making it a great choice in these conditions.
On the other hand, mono is stretchy, forgiving, and suspends baits beautifully, making it perfect for low-current areas. It’s one of our favorites for fishing in shallower waters or calm conditions.
So, in summary: use braid for deep or high-current areas, and mono for shallow or low-current areas.
4. Burley
When it comes to burleying, there are several options available, but let’s cover the basics.
Burley comes in many forms, with one of the most traditional being frozen chopped-up pilchards, which work really well. One of our personal favorites is prawn pellet burley—a type of pellet that, when used with a burley bucket or simply thrown over the side of the boat, works incredibly effectively.
A key aspect of successful burleying is making sure you place your burley in the right spot so it reaches the fish and doesn’t get swept away in the wrong direction.
For example, if I’m standing at the back of the boat and the current is flowing toward the back, I’ll throw some pilchards or pellets over the side towards the front of the boat. This allows the burley to drift back toward the fish at the rear of the boat, where I want it. If I throw it straight off the back, especially in strong current, the burley could end up drifting far away from where I want it to settle. So, positioning your burley up high in the water column is key to getting it to drift down underneath the boat where the fish are.
In really high-current areas, using a weighted burley pot can be an effective solution. You can drop it down or tether it to your anchor, ensuring that the burley stays right on the bottom where the fish are feeding. This method helps keep the fish near your boat, making it especially useful when you’re snapper fishing.
5. Rod Loading and striking
One of the key tips we’ve found that significantly improves our hook-up rate when fishing for snapper is to let the rod do the work. What this means is allowing the rod to load up slightly before you even take it out of the rod holder.
When you feel a bite, resist the urge to immediately pick up the rod. You don’t need to strike at every little nibble. When a big snapper bites, you’ll definitely know—it will take off with your bait, and you’ll feel the rod load up properly with the fish.
The little rattles and bumps you often feel are often signs of a good fish. So, instead of jumping to strike, leave the rod in the holder and let it load up. When the rod starts to bend and the tip gets near the water, that’s the moment to go for it.
A technique we like to use is to wind the reel handle two or three times before you even lift the rod out of the holder. Don’t wind too aggressively—just enough to ensure the hooks are set firmly into the fish. After that, gently pull the rod from the holder, and by this point, the hooks should be well set. This gives you the best chance for a successful hook-up and increases your odds of getting the fish to the boat.