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Monster snapper at the corals
  |  First Published: October 2010



SPECIFICS

The area known as the Corals in the lower reaches of Western Port was almost unknown a decade ago. Since then however, it has shone, becoming a popular haunt for thousands of anglers. Monster mulloway, big snapper, elephants and school sharks. This area holds them all.

The Corals are located north east of Rhyll.

PRIME TIME

Even though this area fishes well throughout the season, I like to fish it for big snapper in October and November. The fish tend to school and graze in this area.

Try to fish when there is a bit of run in the tide.

No flow, no go.

No wobble, no gobble.

THE GEAR

Because this area is relatively shallow (around 6m) you can get away using your Port Phillip snapper gear and therefore enjoy the fight a lot more.

Cristy caught the snapper on the cover of this month’s mag on a Shimano 3500 Baitrunner reel matched with a Shimano IFISH Port Phillip rod. The line was 15lb Lexis mono. Not quite your standard Western Port snapper outfit.

THE RIG

We used a 1.2m, 40lb Instinct leader with two 5/0 Owner hooks. One hook is tied to the end of the leader with a locked blood knot; the other is snelled on to the leader about 10cm above it.

We use a black rolling swivel to attach the main line to the leader and an Ezi-rig then slides up and down the main line for the sinker. The trick with the Ezi-rig is to throw away the stainless clip and replace it with 20cm of 6kg line. Tie the sinker to the end of the line and you are good to go. This dropper allows the bait to sit off the bottom, and will break away should your sinker get snagged.

BEST METHOD

Nothing will substitute for time spent on the water. Set at least four baits and wait patiently. Berley with a cage on the bottom and cube with pillie pieces. Have the reel set so that the fish hooks itself.

BAITS AND LURES

The fish here will eat anything when they are on the go. The two fish pictured fell to fresh calamari and fresh salmon that were both caught on the day.

Salmon are easy to catch on a bait jig if you berley.

MOTHER NATURE

Due to how shallow this area is, fish release really well. Take care of your catch and practice catch and release where possible.

HOT TIP

Use at least one really big bait.

Big baits produce big fish. Funny that!

Cristy Worsteling with two terrific snapper from the Corals.

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