Local snapper - hot bite !!!

[NightAngler]

Swift Lady had a back-back trip(HB + local night) on 09 Apr & I was helping onboard as skipper for the local night trip on 09 Apr.
Total 20 pcs of ang cho landed !! (est sizes ranges from 1 to 6.5 lbs). 3 anglers(including me) landing these fishes. Abt half of the fishes are >3 lbs.
Other catches includes 1 big sweetlip (est 5 lbs) & 1 small ray. Didn't bring along digital camera with me so no pics taken.

Some days back(6 Apr), had passed on 1 group of my ex-regular to new skipper of the boat which I'd sold & this group of 4 anglers landed 26 pcs of ang cho & a few other fishes !! . Sizes are slightly bigger than those landed onboard Swift Lady. Jason of Hotspot tackle shop was onboard. If group had taken pics, should be able to see pics of the good catch at Hotspot in few wks time as Jason is fond showing his catches(haha,,,perhaps add "off" sounds better )

All fishes are landed during night trip.

Apparently, local snapper season for early part of the year is in full swing now. Long duration with favorable tidal streams(current) characteristics may not matter that much. As long as one can find good bait for night fishing (e.g. kelong squid), it just need one good window period(can be fast/modrate/slack) whereby fishes are in biting mode to experience local snapper fenzy(can be >10 pcs within an hr). Best bait will be none other than live swimming squid. However, live squid is hard to come by for the past 1-2 wks, do prepare some good bait when booking a trip.

Based on my past charter experience, during this period (usually lasts abt 4-6 wks), sometimes bite rate can still be hot even when needing heavy sinker(1 Kg or heavier). Sizes are also likely to be bigger(>6 lbs) during fast current.

Don't hesitate to book your favorite "night fishing" boatman to catch this snapper season. IMHO, boatman catering to only day fishing are not likely to produce abt 20 pcs of good size snapper(excl. those <1 lb). Myself will be trying to clock at least another 2 local night trips before end Apr in case I'm starting work from May onwards.

Good luck & hope to see some good local snapper Catch Report soon