Fish Tripper
Reef FishCentroberyx affinis

Nannygai (Red Snapper) Fishing

Schooling deep-reef fish highly valued for the table. Bottom fishing with pilchards and squid in 60-200m. Found across QLD and NSW offshore reefs.

Best Months

Apr – Jul

Best Time

Good at any time in deeper water; early morning drop is most productive

Tide

School up on the turn of tide over deepwater structure; incoming is generally best

Top Locations

47 regions

How to Catch Nannygai (Red Snapper)

Good at any time in deeper water; early morning drop is most productiveSchool up on the turn of tide over deepwater structure; incoming is generally bestDeep water 60–200m; calm conditions allow electric reel fishing efficiently
Tides

School up on the turn of tide over deepwater structure; incoming is generally best

Time of Day

Good at any time in deeper water; early morning drop is most productive

Conditions

Deep water 60–200m; calm conditions allow electric reel fishing efficiently

Structure

Rocky bottom and ledges in 60–200m, deep reef pinnacles, offshore banks

Technique

Lower bait/jig to the bottom, wind up 2–5m and hold; or drop slow-pitch jigs to the bottom and pitch upward 1–2m repeatedly

Pro Tip

Nannygai school densely — if you're getting bites, drop a multi-hook paternoster rig and you can wind up with 3 at a time

Best spots this month — June
Cairns
PeakQLD
Cooktown
PeakQLD
Townsville
PeakQLD
Hervey Bay
PeakQLD

Best Regions by Month

Seasonal ratings across all Australian regions. Click a region to see the full calendar.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Cairns
G
G
G
P
P
P
P
P
G
G
G
G
Port Douglas
G
G
G
P
P
P
P
P
G
G
G
G
Cooktown
G
G
G
P
P
P
P
P
G
G
G
G
Townsville
G
G
G
P
P
P
P
P
G
G
G
G
Hervey Bay
G
G
G
P
P
P
P
G
G
G
G
G
Fraser Coast
G
G
G
P
P
P
P
G
G
G
G
G
Sunshine Coast
G
G
G
P
P
P
P
G
G
G
G
G
Gold Coast
G
G
G
P
P
P
P
G
G
G
G
G
Mackay
G
G
F
P
P
P
P
G
G
G
G
G
Yeppoon
G
G
F
P
P
P
P
G
G
G
G
G
Gladstone
G
G
F
P
P
P
P
G
G
G
G
G
Coffs Harbour
F
F
F
G
P
P
P
G
G
F
F
F
Peak Good Fair Poor/None
Fishing Techniques
Bottom Bait Fishing

Presenting bait (pilchards, squid, cut fish) on the bottom over reef structure.

Vertical Jigging

Working metal jigs up and down in the water column over reefs or structure.

Slow Pitch Jigging

Methodical jigging technique using specially designed slow-pitch jigs over reef structure.

When to Target
Jan
13 regions
Feb
13 regions
Mar
9 regions
Apr
47 regions
May
47 regions
Jun
47 regions
Jul
47 regions
Aug
47 regions
Sep
47 regions
Oct
13 regions
Nov
13 regions
Dec
13 regions

Bag & Size Limits

Regulations vary by state and change seasonally. Check the official fisheries website for current rules.

Australian Lure Fishing Podcast

Greg Vinall — Doc Lures

Browse all episodes on Spotify

Gear Guide

See the recommended tackle, lures, and equipment for this species.