Snap up a big one this season

FISHERS are enjoying the spoils of catching big snapper from boats, piers, jetties and rock walls across Port Phillip and Corio bays.

Snapper spawning season is now underway, with large numbers of fish entering local waters and being caught by keen fishers.

Off the back of record snapper recruitment in 2017–2018, the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) is expecting numbers to continue jumping throughout spring and into next year.

Many of the fish spawned during the 2017–2018 period are now about 50 centimetres, well over the 28-centimetre minimum size.

Snapper numbers have also been on the rise since commercial nets were removed from Port Phillip in 2021 and Corio Bay in 2018.

VFA chief executive officer Travis Dowling said exciting times were ahead for keen fishers across the region.

“It’s awesome to see so many fishers landing big snapper and it’s only going to get better in the next few weeks,” he said.

“This year is already proving to be a bumper season with plenty of ‘big reds’ being caught right around our iconic Port Phillip.

“With daylight saving here and the days warming up it’s a great time to grab the rods and spend some time with your nearest and dearest in the great outdoors trying to catch a big snapper.”

Through the State Government’s Go Fishing and Boating Plan there is no fee to launch and park at Victoria’s public boat ramps including Avalon and Limeburners.

“We’ve made it easier to get on the water by upgrading facilities at major boat ramps like Limeburners and Queenscliff and we’re ensuring it’s free to launch and park at all of Victoria’s public ramps,” Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulous said.

“Land-based fishers are also reaping the benefits of rocky reefs and solar lighting at the popular St Helens rock wall.”

Snapper can be caught on a range of bait with many fishers reporting success on fresh squid.

Fishers are reminded there is a minimum size of 28 centimetres for snapper, and a bag limit of 10 – only three of which may be equal to or bigger than 40 centimetres.