Pink Snapper
Reef / OffshorePrized reef fish found over hard bottom and structure. Land-based catches possible from deep-water rock walls and channel edges, especially around Dawesville Cut and the Moles.
Pink snapper are one of WA's most sought-after fish, combining excellent fight with outstanding eating quality. While mainly a boat species, land-based snapper are caught from deep-water rock walls and channel edges — and hooking a big pink from the shore is a red-letter day in any angler's diary.
Whole squid, pilchards, octopus, mulies
Soft plastics (paddle-tail and jerk shad), metal jigs, vibes
Paternoster rig with two 4/0–6/0 hooks and a bomb sinker, or a running sinker rig with a single large hook for bigger baits. Use 30–40lb fluorocarbon leader near structure.
Target deep-water structure — rock walls, channel edges, and areas where current flows past reef. Lower bait to the bottom and hold position, or cast soft plastics and work them slowly along the bottom near structure. Snapper feed close to the reef, so accuracy matters. When you get a bite, let the fish take the bait before setting the hook firmly.
Best from May through September, when cooler water pushes fish closer to shore structure. Dawn and dusk on tide changes near structure are prime. Overcast days with moderate current flow are ideal. The days after a storm can produce excellent fishing as dirty water stirs up bait and brings snapper in to feed.
Up to 15kg, commonly 2–5kg
May–Sep
Excellent eating — delicate, sweet white flesh. One of the best table fish in WA. Pan-fry, bake, or steam.
Bag, size and slot limits have been revised in recent years and are zone-specific. West Coast pink snapper sit within the demersal mixed bag and the boat-based closure that runs to spring 2027 with a limited annual open window; the inner-Cockburn, Warnbro and Comet Bay closures (Oct–Jan) remain in force. Always check current DPIRD rules before each trip — regulations may change.
Dawesville Cut, North Mole, and South Mole are the best land-based snapper spots in Perth. Winter is your best chance from shore, especially after a storm. Use quality hooks — snapper have a hard, bony mouth that will straighten cheap hooks.