Western Port Bay is a tidal body of water which is home to a variety of fish species ranging from big Calamari to ripper King George Whiting, but at this time of the year nothing gets the heart-pumping quite like a good-sized snapper.
Peter ‘Fergy’ Ferguson is a big snapper specialist with years of experience fishing Western Port. In this article he runs us through everything you need to know about catching a snapper in Western Port Bay. From the best baits to the right gear, and everything in between, check out his write up below!
When is snapper season in Western Port Bay?
As winter fades, water temperatures in Western Port Bay begin to rise from their chilly lows of around 10 degrees Celsius and by mid-September the waters typically reach a more comfortable 13-14 degrees, depending on Mother Nature's whims each year. This slight increase in temperature marks the beginning of Snapper season and when the waters reach 16 degrees around late October, the snapper season really starts to fire.
Best Baits for Western Port Snapper
Some of the best baits to use when targeting Western Port Snapper include pilchards, barracouta, salmon, yakka, and calamari.
In the early season, smaller baits work best due to the fish's slower metabolism in cooler water. Half pilchards, small strips of fresh couta, fresh salmon strips, and the always reliable fresh squid are all effective options.
During the early season using small strips, tentacles, or small rings of squid around 12mm wide and 50-60mm long is recommended. Once the water warms above 16 degrees, I find full sized squid rings and chunk baits of fresh yakka, salmon, whiting, and other baitfish work very well lightly pinned on either a 6/0 or 7/0 circle hook. When chasing trophy snapper, using nothing but the freshest baits will do.
Keep in mind that old man snapper may be 30 years old, so he is not easily fooled and has the choice of the freshest foods to eat when he decides he is hungry! My simple rule with my baits is, “if I wouldn’t eat it, I don’t put it on a hook”.
Lightly pinned fish chunks are a top bait
Squid heads are a favourite bait for big snapper!
Fishing Gear for Western Port Snapper
Snapper fishing often takes place in shallower, less tidal areas allowing for the use of lighter gear. However, be conscious of big stingrays.
If using lighter gear, I opt for a 5-8kg or 6-10kg rod matched with a 4000-5000 size reel, 20lb braid, 5 meters of 30lb shock leader, 60lb Mono leader with a single 6/0 or 7/0 circle hook.
If fishing further south where currents are stronger, a 10-15kg rod with an 8000-10000 reel loaded with 30lb braid is a better choice due to the larger sinkers required.
I personally fish with the heavier 10-15kg outfits all the time as when I encounter a big stingray, I can get it over and done with much quicker plus there is always the chance of a trophy gummy or school shark eating your snapper baits.
Rigging for Western Port Snapper
Whilst many people use a running rig, I prefer a single dropper paternoster rig. If you head over to my YouTube channel ‘Fishin’ with Fergy’ you will find a playlist full of rigs to watch and practice your knots but here is a run down on 3 common snapper rigs used in Western Port.
- A pre-tied rig aka ‘snapper snatcher’. These are readily available online and on the shelves of your local BCF store. These are a pre-tied double paternoster with either 5/0 or 6/0 circle hooks fitted along with some flasher material. Simple to use, these do catch many fish and an easy solution especially for beginners. With circle hooks, don’t bury your hooks too deep into your bait. Lightly pinned is best as circles need to rotate freely to work correctly.
- A running rig comprising of an easy rig slider running along your shock leader to a swivel then 1.2 metres of 60lb mono to your single circle hook.
With this rig, we remove the metal sinker clip and replace it with about 200mm of 15lb mono to hold our sinker. This allows the sinker to break off if snagged as the factory wire won’t break before your line does and you will lose your fish. The 200mm dropper also keeps your bait off the bottom a little to slow down rays and other bottom-dwelling by-catch eating your baits. - My personal favourite especially for BIG snapper is a hand tied single paternoster rig using 80lb mono and fitted with a single 7/0 Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hook. Not only does it work well on snapper and sharks, but it certainly reduces the amount of stingrays and banjos I catch during the day. Every ray is a lot of wasted time that means you miss a snapper bite. I have a full video on how to tie this rig on my YouTube library.
Western Port Snapper Locations
Snapper hotspots are typically in the top reaches of the port from Hastings through to the top of Boulton’s Channel, Bouchier Channel, and Lyalls Channel with the areas around Joes Island, Browns Reserve, and Corinella also being hot spots for snapper.
Early season is always more consistent in the upper reaches like Boulton’s Channel and Corinella where the water tends to be a bit warmer.
Once the season is in full swing, the area known as ‘long reef’ which a is hard rubbly reef area running from Hastings to Crawfish rock holds some exceptional numbers of snapper. Along the long reef area, snappers tend to graze up and down the edges throughout the tide. I find that picking a spot and staying there for the whole tide there can deliver consistent fishing as the snapper move up and down the reef. Resist the urge to move if not getting bites as the fish will come to you most times.
Night-time fishing in the shallow ‘Corals’ area out from Coronet Bay can deliver some hot fishing sessions also. Under the cover of darkness, Snapper will happily move right up into 2-3 metres of water and feed quite aggressively. When fishing ultra shallow, you must keep noise to a minimum as Snapper are a very flighty fish.
Time to catch Western Port Snapper
Fishing the flood tide during a rising barometer, ideally from 1015 to around 1020, tends to yield good results. However, sometimes you must seize opportunities regardless of what the barometer is doing.
Another favourite time of mine to fish is Sunday evening after the weekend crowds have left. The constant boat noise and anchors dropping on top of fish all weekend-long will often shut down a snapper bite but once the traffic has left, the fish will feed quite aggressively. Many times, we have had sessions with 10-20 snapper caught on a Sunday night session.
Remember, you can't catch fish while sitting on your couch. Get out there, have a go, and enjoy the thrill of snapper season fishing. If you happen to spot me at the ramp, don't hesitate to say hello, and please share your fishing success photos!
Tight lines, Fergy
If you enjoyed this blog and want to learn more about catching big snapper, as well as Gummy Shark, King George Whiting, and more, then check out Fishin with Fergy on YouTube.
About the author
Fishin with Fergy
Peter 'Fergy' Ferguson is a BIG snapper specialist based in Victoria who also knows more than a thing or two about catching a monster gummy, squid, and a range of other saltwater species too. Through his 'Fishing with Fergy' social media accounts he shares trip videos, handy hints, and tips that'll help you take your fishing to the next level.
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