Fishing Victoria Forum

Was out recently trying to catch bait and was getting a fish a cast of small salmon, problem was they were all pillie sized. They were though perfect bait size for snapper. Is this a grey area if you are catching for bait rather than taking them home? After all I will be putting them back, just with the addition of a 4/0 hook.

As tempting as they are, it is best we release them if they aren't size. As far as I'm aware there is no grey area for using undersize fish as bait. If your caught by fisheries they will fine you and may confiscate your gear, it's not worth it at all. Poddy mullet are fantastic live bait and are easier to catch then baytrout.

If you can identify them as Tommy Rough you can use them as live bait. If they are actually Salmon or you're in doubt then the 21cm legal size limit applies, live bait or otherwise

Have you ever had success livebaiting for snapper?

I've had quite a bit of success with the down rigger, a meter or so up just ticking over so you get the occasional bottom bouncing of the weight, with live bait at about 2.5 meters behind. Got to pick your days with not to much swell, but it does work......

col

DougieK wrote:Have you ever had success livebaiting for snapper?

It's this seasons project. Mate in NZ does it off the rocks so cant see why it wont work here.

Many people who fish the channel out at Clifton springs use live silver whiting because the channel is full of silver whiting , the whiting are easy to catch and are dynamite bait

DougieK wrote:Have you ever had success livebaiting for snapper?

I've read live garfish work... have seen rexy use one on his TV shows ? memory fade. :thumbsup: