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Snapper running hot


Pickles

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After the “big blow” last week and all the fresh in the sea, I was hopeful of a feed of a feed of-shore. With a crew keen to get a feed and good reports of Bonito, salmon and tailor we headed out to hit some of the reeefs close to the heads off Sydney and we’re not disappointed. The wind was low, but swell was up a bit, but quite manageable for my 5.1m tinny - love my Quintrex Fishabout, it’s my 7th boat in 40 years, but so we’ll equipped (24v Minkota Ulterra, 2 live bait tanks, electric downrigger, Lowrance 9” with sidescan, 4 gel at batteries, high top canopy, overhead rod holders as well as holders on rear and side.

Anyway, back to the report; we had bait tank load of Yakkas and several blocks of “Californian” squid as well as frozen and salted yakka filets from a previous trip, so we’ll stocked with bait.

Usually I like to have the burley trail out and baits floating down at least 1/2 hour before sunup, but we couldn’t manage it and didn’t have the first bait out until 7ish. It was overcast and cool till 11am and the snapper were on the bite the whole time. Overall we boated 7keepers and quite a few undersized released. Although legal size is 30cm, I can see much point in keeping any under 35 as by the time they are cleaned, gutted, filleted and ribs removed, there is only a mouthful in a “just legal” snapper.

All fish were caught on 15lb fluro leader, with line straight to the hook - no swivel, no sinker. The bait preference was split between fresh Yakka strips and squid heads and hook was a KTL 1/0 and on a 2500 reel and 2-4 kg rod, they gave a good fight and were netted to bring into the boat (lost too many by lifting them in). Forgot the bananas this day, but had banana bread with me 🙂

The family enjoyed fresh snapper for tea, but still prefer kingfish or jewfish to just about anything other than dolphin fish.

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6 minutes ago, Little_Flatty said:

That’s a couple of marvellous feeds there Bob. Much lighter gear than I expected too. Must’ve been some nice tussles!

Thanks @Little_Flatty one of my buddys is s snapper specialist and suggested nothing over 20lb. Since I’ve followed his advice, I’ve got a lot more bites and although taking longer to land, they don’t fight dirty like Kingies and usually always get them to the boat.

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6 minutes ago, motiondave said:

Well done getting a few fish.

Good to see the "import" squid being used, it's good stuff.

How's the water lookout middle harbour towards the heads? I'm thinking of going out tomorrow arvo for a bit. Still brown as? Seems like its still fishable.....

Dave, the water was surprisingly “clear”, on the run in at the heads, it was cloudy, but not muddy off shore.

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5 minutes ago, bessell1955 said:

Did you go today?

 

Wish I could - Nth Richmond, Windsor, Colo, Yarramundi and Tennyson bridges all covered by flood water - my dam is only option today as flooded in. Hoping to get out on Monday.

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23 minutes ago, Pickles said:

Wish I could - Nth Richmond, Windsor, Colo, Yarramundi and Tennyson bridges all covered by flood water - my dam is only option today as flooded in. Hoping to get out on Monday.

Hope you’re staying safe @Pickles. Hopefully this time, the inclement weather is more short lived.

If you get very bored, a dam report will always be well received :D 

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27 minutes ago, Pickles said:

Wish I could - Nth Richmond, Windsor, Colo, Yarramundi and Tennyson bridges all covered by flood water - my dam is only option today as flooded in. Hoping to get out on Monday.

 

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57 minutes ago, motiondave said:

Cool. I should ask, when did you go out? Was it yesterday or today? Or early in week. 

End of the week, before Nth Richmond river flooded (Friday night).

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5 hours ago, Pickles said:

I’ll have to get some cooking tips Dave - really think snapper are overrated - must be me.

Bob, I added a recipe to the cooking section last year - Bacon topped creamy fish bake. You could try that one.

As for reddies, the fillets from those of 45 to 60 cm produce a chunky piece that makes good eating (my opinion) as opposed to those not a lot over legal (I still like them regardless)

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Well done on the snapper!!

try baking the smaller ones whole. Stuffed with lemon slices, dill and butter. Score skin and rub with butter, salt, pepper and some more dill. Very easy and comes up delish. The dill makes it.

Or do the same on the bbq instead of the oven - wrapped in foil pocket.

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9 hours ago, Larkin said:

Well done on the snapper!!

try baking the smaller ones whole. Stuffed with lemon slices, dill and butter. Score skin and rub with butter, salt, pepper and some more dill. Very easy and comes up delish. The dill makes it.

Or do the same on the bbq instead of the oven - wrapped in foil pocket.

Cheers - I’ll give it a go

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11 hours ago, Yowie said:

Bob, I added a recipe to the cooking section last year - Bacon topped creamy fish bake. You could try that one.

As for reddies, the fillets from those of 45 to 60 cm produce a chunky piece that makes good eating (my opinion) as opposed to those not a lot over legal (I still like them regardless)

Thanks Dave - I’ll search the recipient page

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