Snapper...

[krause]

Hi all,

I fish a spot near port stephens called mt tomaree. It is a good rock spot with acess to seriously dep water. The spot always produces vast numbers of small (<30cm) snapper. These pinkies or squires or whatever you like to call them can be fun, but of course are to small for a meal. Hence i was wondering if there are larger models down there?

We tend to use small baits, half pillies or cubes, and small strip baits. Always resulting in little snapper. I have been captivated by a NZ fishing show called "big angry fish", and they preech big baits, and strong burley trails. My question is would this help? Are there likely to be larger snapper down there that would take larger baits (ie are small snapper and large snapper found together) or is this just a spawning ground for young fish to shelter? And is a burley trail worth a shot? I know pillie cubing is not an option, as the bird life will steal it all.

Any opinions or ideas on how to attract bigger fish would be awesome.

Cheers all!

[Onemancrew]

Which spot are you talking about exactly? Do you walk all the way out past the mental hospital right out to the old military bunker thing?

Or do you go right to the top and climb down the other side? (it's a dangerous spot though)

[krause]

The up and over spot. Can be a dangerous, but being smart, taking your time and only fishing strict conditions are all must does.

Cheers

[Onemancrew]

The up and over spot. Can be a dangerous, but being smart, taking your time and only fishing strict conditions are all must does.

Cheers

Yeah I agree, I always thought it was a land based game fishing spot for marlin and tuna and similar...

I went there a few times and only caught massive red rock cod and huge Wirrah, its a mission climbing down that ledge within rods and tackle too...

I used to get the snapper off the rocks at box beach closest to the spit. I found they come in close to the rocks just before and during a big swell. If they are there you will catch them. I used to get them on whitebait. I don't live there anymore so I dont know the latest on what happens there but I was pretty good fishing when I was there for 3 years...

Edited February 8, 2014 by Onemancrew

[krause]

Yeah I agree, I always thought it was a land based game fishing spot for marlin and tuna and similar...

I went there a few times and only caught massive red rock cod and huge Wirrah, its a mission climbing down that ledge within rods and tackle too...

I used to get the snapper off the rocks at box beach closest to the spit. I found they come in close to the rocks just before and during a big swell. If they are there you will catch them. I used to get them on whitebait. I don't live there anymore so I dont know the latest on what happens there but I was pretty good fishing when I was there for 3 years...

It is a seriously good spot for tuna, regarded one of the best LBG(tuna) spots in the country. Havent had the luck to be spooled by one yet! One day. Still a resonable spot, holds good tailor and bonnies when they are around and always little snapper. Plus wirra and cod and wrasse and all those fun things.

How far round at box beach? I used to fish there alot, but never caught a edible fish!

Cheers

[Onemancrew]

I used to walk down the end of box beach rd down to the beach, turn right and continue till you get to the rocks, fish the other side of the rocks facing the spit, there's a nice ledge there, with a rock pool behind it... It's a pretty washy type of area and can get a bit hairy if it's a bit rough outside.