A COOCHIEMUDLO Island local believes Moreton Bay is in for a bumper snapper season after landing the biggest fish of his life just weeks before the traditional winter run.
Coochie Island Beach Bar and Grill owner Brad Imber reeled in an impressive 82cm snapper while fishing from his boat moored directly in front of the waterfront venue.
For a man who has spent a lifetime fishing Moreton Bay water, it was a catch he will never forget.
“We’d gone there at night to drink a few beers and tell a few lies,” Mr Imber said.
“In the morning, I never even got back for the coffee.
“I threw in the line and I must have thrown it down his neck, because it caught straight away.”
The 82cm fish is the largest snapper Mr Imber has ever caught in Moreton Bay.
Making the feat even more remarkable was the light tackle he was using.
“The wind had been blowing its heart out all night,” he said.
“I caught this fish with one of the kids’ lines – fishing line like dental floss and a 40-gauge hook.
“I’m surprised I was able to reel him in.”
The memorable morning did not end there.
Mr Imber went on to catch two more quality snapper measuring 64cm and 65cm before his 38-year-old stepson woke up.
“He looked in the esky and said, ‘You’ve been busy’,” Mr Imber laughed.
The early arrival of the fish has him optimistic about what lies ahead for local anglers.
“Snapper don’t usually come on until June when the water is colder,” he said.
“So, this was unusual, especially given the size and it being so close to the beach.”
Mr Imber said snapper typically bite on an outgoing tide around daybreak.
On this occasion, he was using squid bait sourced from Tweed Baits and sold through the Bar and Grill.
Fishing has been part of Mr Imber’s life for as long as he can remember.
His parents owned a holiday house on Coochiemudlo Island from 1970, and family trips to the Bay often revolved around fishing and crabbing adventures.
Mr Imber originally purchased his island home two-and-a-half years ago with plans to retire, but those plans changed when he bought the Coochie Island Beach Bar and Grill.
“I bought the house two and a half years ago to retire on the island but have since bought the Bar and Grill so I’m busy as,” he said.
As for the prized catches, they have not yet made it to the dinner table.
All three snapper remain safely stored in the freezer, waiting for the next family barbecue.
