Snapper

(Chrysophrys Auratus)

Common Names

Snapper, Red, Bug Red, Reddie, Cockneys, Cockney Bream, Red Bream, Squire, Old Man Snapper, Pinkies

Description

Snapper are a deep-bodied fish with powerful jaws and peglike teeth. Large adult Snapper have a large hump on the heads and even an enlarged nose area, but this is by no means universal. In New Zealand, Snapper almost never develope these humps, and In Victoria or South Australia, some very large Snapper have pratcially no hump. Snapper colouration is red to pinkish-silver or coppery on the head and back, rosy-silver with blue reflections on the flanks, and silver or silver-white on the belly. The flanks are heavily peppered with small iridescent blue spots or highlights. The fins are dusky red and the anal fin is often edged with blue.

Size

Most Snapper taken are between 0.4-9.0 kilos. However, in South Australia they can be caught around 12 kilos in weight.

Habitat

Snapper are found right around the southern half of Australia from Rockhampton in Queensland to Carnarvon in Western Australia. In Tasmania they are virtually unknown. In New Zealand, Snapper are found right around the North Island and as far down the east coast of the South Island as Christchurch. They are also found around Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands. Juveniles are taken in estuaries where they feed till they reach a certain size. Adults prefer rocky foreshores, deep reefs, ocean beaches. The ideal habitat for Snapper is open ocean reef or gravel bottom grounds 20-100 metres deep, close to structures. In southern waters, spawning migrations occur in flat bottomed sand and mud strata bays. Along the eastern seaboard they are taken from rock ledges, fronting deep water.

Feeding

Snapper are an incredibly wide feeding range. Their diet varies considerably with location and size, but in most areas prawns, crabs, abalone, mussels make up the bulk of their food. Additional nutrition comes from sea cucumbers, octopus, squid, small fish. Snapper have been known to scavenge dead marine creatures and food scraps. Juvenile Snapper feed on crabs, worms, shrimp, small soft-shell molluscs and pices of fish flesh and squid.

Fishing Technique

Tackle ranges from simple handlines to a medium-weight threadline outfit, with 6.0-10.0 kilo fishing line, hooks size 1/0-6/0. Sinkers depend on where you are fishing, however, I prefer to use a running sinker.

Eating

Snapper have a white, moist, slightly flakey flesh. Fish in the 0.8-4.0 kilo range are regarded as the best for the table. They freeze well and lose little of their flavour or texture if frozen soon after being caught.

Bag Limit & Legal Size

Victoria: Legal Size = 27cm; Bag Limit = 4 for 40cm & over, 10 for under 40cm
New South Wales: Legal Size = 28cm; Bag Limit = 10
South Australia: Legal Size = 38cm; Bag Limit = 15 for 38cm-60cm, 2 for over 60cm
Western Australia: Legal Size = 30cm for Queen, Bag Limit = 8; Legal Size = 23cm for Red and Bag Limit of 20; Legal Size = 28cm for North-West and a Bag Limit of 8