Tips for Snapper Fishing

Snapper is one of the most targeted, and most sought after fish off the shores of New Zealand. It's easy to access good snapper fishing waters, they put up a good fight, and their taste is second to none.

This snapper to the left weighs a hefty 10.2 kilos and was taken in the Bay of Islands. Most snapper are between one and two kilograms, but the current record for the largest snapper caught is 27.6 kilograms!

Snapper fishing is for everyone. These fish can be caught just as easily from shore as they can from a charter boat or little tinny.

Rigs for Snapper Fishing

Snapper can be taken on a huge variety of rigs, but some of the most common and proven types of rigs are strayline and droppers. Follow those links to find out more. Try to use circle hooks to keep juvenile sized fish from swallowing the hooks and unnecessarily decreasing the snapper population. Good circle hook sizes range from 5/0 to 12/0, depending on the size fish you are targeting and the size bait you have.

Bait for Snapper Fishing

Snapper feed on all kinds of things in the sea. Since they are such aggressive feeders, lots of different kinds of baits are used. Squid, mullet, shucked shellfish, and crabs are among anglers' favorites. If you have it, and are targeting huge snapper, fresh mackerel and kahawai also make great baits. Don't be fooled in to thinking that frozen mackerel from the bait shop or dairy will be just as good. Fresh bait is ALWAYS better!

Fish Dusk and Dawn

As with most fishing, the best time to target snapper is around dusk and dawn. They can of course be caught all day, but snapper are feeding and most active around dusk and dawn. Even fishing an hour or two after dusk can produce favorable results.

Good luck out there!

Auckland: The City of Sails

Auckland is known as the city of sails for good reason. New Zealanders own more boats per capita than any other nation, and those boats are well suited to sailing around the Hauraki Gulf, the harbour that hosts the great city of Auckland.

The Hauraki Gulf has over 70 different islands for a boater, sailor, or international cruiser to explore. Sailing winds are good, and fishing (especially snapper fishing) can be great very close to Auckland. A variety of boats can be seen around the Hauraki Gulf. There are racing sailboats, launches, motor boats of all kinds, cruising sailboats, and even racing teams like America's Cup Team New Zealand and the Camper Nicholson Volvo Ocean Race teams practice right there in the Hauraki Gulf.


The Waitemata Harbour, a portion of the Hauraki Gulf closest to Auckland hosts the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, which was established way back in 1859. The Waitemata also has Auckland's Westhaven Marina, the largest Marina in the Southern Hemisphere! Westhaven marina is home for well over 1800 different boats.

Auckalnd is lucky to have the Hauraki Gulf and some of the best cruising grounds in the world right at it's doorstep. From sailing, diving, fishing, and just plain old cruising, Auckland's Hauraki Gulf has everything for a happy boater.