Fishing snapper a real test of skills

Press, 9 April 1977, Page 15

Fishing snapper a real test of skills

BEN HOPE

Snapper fishing has not been so good this year but there is still time for it to come right. Perhaps it’s the early unseasonable weather before Christmas, but when I have managed to fish the Marlborough Sounds, I have had enough fun to always make it worth-while. The other week-end four snapper came the way of our family. The four of us, ventured out in our 10ft dinghy, and, as the tide slowly flowed into a shallow inlet to gradually cover the sandy mud flats, we sat quietly fishing with light gear. Because of the light gear the sport is great. The biggest fish, a magnificent 17-pounder, took three-quarters of an hour to subdue — mainly because I had 71b breakingstrain nylon and a light spinning rod. Circumstances like these make for sport and memorable catches. The other snapper were smaller specimens — not

in the double figure class, but also very sporting on the fine gear. The light gear, however, has a double benefit to the angler. It’s sporting, but it’s also efficient. Snapper can be both fastidious and cunning in their feeding. Often they will take the bait, run with it for a few yards, and then, if they are even remotely suspicious, drop it. Something has aroused their suspicion, and, I believe, often the resistance of heavy nylon or gear is sufficient to induce them to drop the bait after taking. Light gear is therefore necessary for consistently successful snapper fishing. Bait deserves careful consideration too. Squid is good, but mainly because it stays on the hook in spite of the nibblings of tiddlers. I like filleted kahawai or herring; if it is freshly caught, so much the better. The tackle needs a run-

ning rig with the hook below the sinker. In assembling the tackle the end of the nylon is put through the sinker hole and is then tied to a split ring. For a trace. I use about Ift of 201 b breaking breaking-strain nylon. 1 like smaller hooks and usually I prefer the beak type, size 3/0. Smaller pieces of bait are preferable, but a tip worth noting for big ones — like the 17-pounder — is that a small herring head seems to tempt them. On a light rod you can detect bites and, believe me, snapper in shallow water can bite very gently. If a snapper run’s let him go until you are convinced he has trulytaken the bait, then tighten the hook home. If you use the light gear approach you will then find great sport. Regulate your catch. Leave some for tomorrow and take only enough for your needs.