Winter Snapper Fishing Report video
Winter Snapper Fishing Report — Melbourne & Port Phillip Bay Tips & Tricks
Winter snapper fishing is awesome. Anyone can catch a snapper in the warmer season — but have you got what it takes to land a true winter red? Over the next three months we’ll be chasing reds right through Port Phillip Bay, and on this page I’ll share the tips and tricks that put fish in the boat. A genuine winter red is harder to catch, but follow a few simple rules and it can be done.
Rule 1: The Barometer Is Everything in Winter
In winter the barometer is everything. If it’s not high, I’m not heading out to freeze in the cold for nothing. In the video below it hit 1040 on the day we filmed — and the fish responded.
Rule 2: Go Small and Soft With Your Baits
The water temperature is extremely low in winter, so the fish are lethargic. A small snack or treat is the best offering for a cold-water red. I’ve found a paternoster rig works far better in the colder months, rigged with squid tentacles. Small squid rings are by far my favourite bait — in fact they were the only bait used in the video below. Our Ultra Rigs are simply fantastic and accounted for around 90% of the fish in that session. The Scallop Ultra Rig is my pick for the colder months.
June: Fish the Southern End of the Bay
Through June I fish the southern end of the bay. Pretty much anywhere in 16m or deeper, you’re a good chance of picking up a slow-coach red on its way out of the bay. Bycatch will be gummy shark, and there are always plenty of squid (as you’ll see in the video), so stocking up on fresh bait is never a problem. I recommend our Rui Port Phillip Bay Squid Jig Pack — a small range of jigs hand-picked in the best colours to suit the bay. You can grab them here.
July & August: Head North for Residential Fish
From July and August I move further north. By then I accept the reds have largely gone and I go looking for resident fish. Some favourite spots are Carrum Outer (the artificial reef) and Ricketts Point in around 5–7m — all productive areas. My mate Steve fishes land-based up around Mordialloc and does very well. When I lived at Mentone I’d fish the small pier at Full Moon Bay at night, walk to the end, cast out to the right and pick up nice 1kg fish — but that’s another story.
Watch the Winter Snapper Session
Follow us on YouTube to see how the whole winter season unfolds. If you enjoy the video, let us know in the comments.
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I’ve left the comment box open for discussion and I’ll answer questions below — gear, bait, anything to help you improve. Just don’t ask where the fish are. Earn it 👍🎣🐟