Pink Snapper

Pink snappers (Chrysophrys auratus), also known regionally as silver snappers, Australasian snappers or red bream, are important recreational fishing species where they are found. It has a fairly typical snapper look, but with a strongly sloping “forehead”, smallish eyes and a mouth below the head at the front of the fish. The mouth is armed with strong “crushing” teeth to eat the urchins, crabs, starfish and the other benthic invertebrates that it usually eats. As the name implies, pink snapper are pink or reddish on the upper portions of their bodies blending down their flanks to shiny silver undersides. Pink snapper have been reported to live to over 40 years and one known individual reached 54 years. They grow at different rates in various localities, but the maximum known is 130 cm. (51 in.) and 20 kg. (44 lbs.). They mature at about 30 cm. (12 in.) and can spawn multiple times per year. Some specimens change from males to females with age, but not all. In some areas pink snapper undergo clear and well known spawning migrations and spawning usually takes place in water less than 50 m. (164 ft) deep. While normally a fairly solitary species they can form large shoals at spawning time.

This popular sport-angling species can be caught from piers, jetties and rocky outcrops, but most fishing is carried out from smallish boats, either privately owned or fishing charters. As a mostly bottom feeding and invertebrate eating fish, pink snapper are difficult to target on fly, but both spinning-offers and bait fishing can be successful. With shore fishing, bait is best as it is difficult, when spinning, to reach fish close to the substrate. The best baits are reported to be squid, octopus, pilchard and whiting. From boats, bait fishing can work well, but many sport anglers prefer more active “jerk-baiting” or active jigging-offers. It is best to drop your bait, or lure, to the bottom and then “work it” slowly up and down a short distance above the substrate. Pink snapper are popular as they can grow large, can be fairly abundant and are not reluctant to bite if the right bait or lure is used and are thus relatively easy to catch. They are also reported to be very pleasant to eat.