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The Snapper is one of our most popular reef fishes in the southern part of the State; it is rarely seen north of Mackay. Once plentiful in Moreton Bay, it is now largely restricted to reefs in outside waters. Professional line fishermen, and many anglers, take Snapper by hand lines baited with cut fish baits, large prawns. squid and octopus; the light gear enthusiast can gain a good deal of sport by landing fish weighing up to 5.5 kg (12 lb.) on bream rods and reels, using 4.0 kg (9 lb.) lines baiting with whole Garfish. Pike (or Yellowtail), or very large Soldier crabs. Although this fish grows to a length of 1.3 m (4 feet 3 inches) and a weight of 19.5 kg (43 lb.), it is rarely seen nowadays in our waters at a size greater than 8.2 kg (18 ]b.).
A superb table fish, it is strikingly handsome when freshly taken from the water: the body is pink with scattered bright blue spots which are less distinct in older fish. The dorsal, caudal and pectoral fins are pink; the ventral and anal fins are pale pink to creamy white. There is a progression of common names with growth; up to about 100 130 ram (four or five inches) they are called Cockneys: at 450 g (one pound), Red Bream; until they reach 1.4 kg (3 lb.), Squire; and thereafter, Snapper. Since this transition is gradual, as in all growth changes, these stages are only approximate; but in answer to the popular question, “At what size does a Squire become a Snapper” it is probably reasonable to say that it qualifies as such at a weight of 1.4 kg (three pounds).
A hump on the head enlarges with age and the snout becomes fleshy and pronounced, so that the head and face resemble those of an old man; this confers the name “Old Man Snapper” on these larger examples, which generally range from 10 kg (22 lb.) upwards.
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