Overview
Crimson snapper — often called small-mouth nannygai — school over deep rubble and shoal country across northern Australia.
They mark as tight clouds above the bottom and, once located, can be caught steadily through a tide change.
They are excellent eating and are frequently taken alongside saddletail snapper and red emperor.
Where to find them
- ▸Deep rubble and shoal ground in 40–90 m.
- ▸Isolated lumps rising off flat bottom.
- ▸Wrecks and hard patches in northern waters.
- ▸Same grounds as red emperor and saddletail.
Tackle
- ▸Rod: 6'6" jig or boat rod rated 15–24 kg.
- ▸Line: 50–65 lb braid with 80 lb leader.
- ▸Rig: paternoster with 6/0 circles and squid or pilchard; 200 g knife jigs.
Tips from the water
- ▸Mark the school on the sounder before dropping.
- ▸Use a release weight — barotrauma is severe from 60 m.
- ▸Wind steadily; pausing costs you the fish to sharks.
Regulations
Size, bag and possession limits differ between states and can change each season. Check the current rules with your state fisheries authority before keeping a fish.