Without doubt, snapper is the most sought after fish and we here in Port Stephens sit smack bang in the very middle of some of the most productive country on our east coast. Coffs Harbor and Yamba fishos may well disagree but for my money the reefs between Birubi and Seal Rocks provide the best snapper fishing imaginable.

You will always get a healthy debate as to whether bait or plastics is the best method of catching snapper. I do both and find plastics easier yet bait fishing more to my style. I really enjoy setting a berley trail and floating a big prawn, squid head, fresh fillet of slimy mackerel or bonito down into deep water. The most crucial variable to consider is not what method to use but to select the right place to fish. There are many places where snapper aren't, the trick is to find out where they are. Anyone can catch a snapper. The hard part is finding them. Hottest spots heading north are Fishermans Bay, Fingal Outer Light, Boondelbah Island, Broughton Island and the reefs off Seal Rocks.

Apart from being a first class table fish and a magnificent fighter the snapper is an interesting customer living up to 40 years of age in Australia and 60 years in New Zealand. This species can reach 130cms in length and 16 kg in weight and live in a depth range of between 1 and 200 meters of water. So there are plenty of places to look.

Excellent reddies have been landed through the week by Chris Drake, 5kg off Boatharbor reef and Benny Doolan a 10kg thumper north of Broughton.

Both fish were taken on plastics.

STINKER